What Is True Copy Attestation and Why You Might Need It

A photocopy of an original document is certified to be an exact and unaltered representation of the original through a process known as true copy attestation. This phase is essential for official and educational requirements since it provides a practical means of sharing verified copies with institutions or authorities without having to give up the originals. Continue reading to learn about the true copy attestation and why you might need it.

What Is a True Copy?

"True copies" are photocopies of your original document that have been verified by an authorized individual to be an exact and unaltered copy of the original. Instead of delivering the original, you can submit a duplicate due to this. In addition to being safe, a true copy is nevertheless accepted for official purposes. Your original document has been properly replicated and certified.

What Is True Copy Attestation?

The procedure known as "true copy attestation" involves an authorized official reviewing the original document and evaluating the photocopy. Then stamping or signing it to confirm that it is a "true copy of the original." Here, you can consider a notary public or a gazetted officer as an authorized official. Since the attested copy assures the recipient that the photocopy is exact, it becomes legally viable for a variety of uses.

It does not guarantee that the information is accurate; it only confirms that the copy matches the original. If you wish to keep the original of your degree certificate, you can send a real copy to a foreign university. The receiving authority is reassured that the copy you supplied is authentic and corresponds to your original document.

When applying overseas, this procedure is often used for

1. Birth certificates
2. Marriage certificates
3. ID proofs
4. Mark sheets
5. Educational certificates,
6. Experience letters.

Who Does the True Copy Attestation

True copy attestation in India is typically performed by any of the officials as follows.

1. Gazetted Officer
2. Notary Public,
3. An official authorized by the Embassy.

Both your original document and its photocopy are examined by these officials simultaneously. Once they have verified that everything matches, they sign the paper and mark it as "True Copy Attested".

If your documents are intended for use overseas,  you may need to undergo additional attestation by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and occasionally by the country's embassy or consulate.

Why True Copy Attestation Is Important

To show authenticity without sending your original documents everywhere is the primary reason to get a true copy of your papers confirmed. In order to ensure that the documents are authentic, many foreign colleges or visa agencies only accept authenticated copies. Why it matters will be understood as you read

1. It keeps your original documents safe from harm or loss.
2. It reduces the time needed for job or visa verification.
3. When several agencies request the same certificate, it helps.
4. It is a famous sign of authenticity that can be reliable.

It is so important for you to consider true copy attestation so that the trust between you and the company requesting your documents will be enhanced.
Documents That Usually Need True Copy Attestation
Your objective will determine the kind of paper you require. The most typical ones are listed here.

1. Academic Documents
2. Degree Certificate
3. The diploma
4. Mark Sheets
5. School Certificates
6. Personal Documents
7. Birth Certificate
8. Marriage Certificate
9. Passport Copy
10. Medical Certificates
11. Commercial or Business Documents
12. Documents for Company Registration
13. Power of Attorney
14. Memorandum of Association
15. Board Resolutions

To find out exactly which papers the authority requesting attestation needs, it is always a good idea to check with them.

How to Get True Copy Attestation in India

Once you understand the procedures, obtaining a true copy attestation is rather easy. Here's how to do that

Collect Original Documents and Photocopies

Photocopy your documents in a clear format. For verification, the original and a copy are required by the attesting officer.

Go to an Authorized Officer or Notary

You can go to  the following officials in your area

1. Gazetted official
2. Sub-divisional magistrate
3. Notary public.

They are qualified to carry out attestation of true copies.

Show Your Original Documents

The officer will verify that your original document and the copy are identical by comparing them side by side.

For Use Abroad – MEA and Embassy Attestation

If your document is going to be used outside of India, it may require additional attestation from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) before it is used by the country's embassy or consulate. The particular needs of the nation will determine this. If you're looking for Pakistan certificate attestation, the Pakistan embassy and MEA will probably review your paperwork for final confirmation.

How Long Does True Copy Attestation Take

A notary or a gazetted officer's true copy attestation often just takes a few hours. Based on the type of document and where you live, it may take a few days to a few weeks if your documents require MEA or embassy attestation. Another thing to consider is the legal aspect of the country you live in.
Starting the procedure early is always preferable. There are tight deadlines at some colleges and embassies, and processing at the last minute can be stressful.

Common Mistakes People Make During Attestation

Since the documents are involved, there are a lot of probabilities to make mistakes, and here you will learn some of the common mistakes and how to avoid them

1. Submitting photocopies that are difficult to read.
2. Using partial or broken originals.
3. The copy is missing its stamps and signatures.
4. Using unapproved individuals to provide attestation.
5. Not first verifying the regulations unique to the country.

Make sure to double check as a minor error may make your certified document invalid.

True Copy vs Notarization vs Apostille

Although these terms are easily misunderstood, they differ slightly.

1. True Copy Attestation refers to a certified copy of the original document that has been approved by a designated individual.
2. A notary public notarises a document by verifying that the copy or signature is authentic.
3. The Hague Convention's participating nations allow an apostille as a worldwide method of authentication.

You might not need embassy attestation if the country where you are going supports the apostille. If not, you must obtain both MEA and embassy attestation following notarization.

The Final Words

Even though the true copy attestation may seem like a simple step, it plays a big role when dealing with official processes abroad. If you do not want to go through the entire process of Pakistan certificate attestation by yourself, you can rely on Greenline Attestation Services. We can make things quick and smooth as we know how to handle documents and make sure they get accepted without any delay.