Document attestation is a process by which documents are authenticated for official use in another country. This paperwork could include anything from personal documents, such as a degree or marriage certificate, to business documents, like invoices and contracts.

Attestation may also be known as legalisation, authentication, stamping, verification, or certification. If you need to get a document attested, you must ensure that you follow the appropriate processes set out by the relevant embassy for each type of document. If they are not authenticated correctly, they will not be accepted when you go to use them abroad.

Saudi and Gulf Visa Services are registered with the FCO (British Foreign Ministry), which allows us to complete document attestations on behalf of our clients.

How document attestation works

Documents that require attestation must first be attested by a solicitor (some exclusions apply), and then the FCO. Once this has been completed, the relevant embassy—in the UK—required can verify the document, allowing it to be used in the country you’re travelling to.

Documents that will require attestation include:

• Degrees/educational certificates
• Birth/death certificate
• Marriage/divorce certificate
• Adoption certificate
• Court/ACRO police documents
• Passport
• Driving license
• Financial documents

While many documents will need to be stamped by a solicitor as the first step to attestation, there are some types which are exempt. Documents that do not require a solicitor’s verification include:

• Original UK birth/death certificate
• Original UK marriage certificate
• Original UK police clearance certificate (ACRO only)
• Original UK medical report signed by a UK doctor

For UK doctors to sign a medical report for attestation, they must first be registered with the FCO Legislation Department. Otherwise, their document signing will be considered void.