How to Attest Documents for Bangladesh: Embassy, MOFA and Notary Guide for Expats

Attestation is the process of getting an official to certify that a signature, stamp or copy on a document is genuine. Each authority only certifies the one before it. This creates a chain that the final receiving authority can trust.

This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Fees, forms and procedures change; confirm current requirements with the relevant office or a qualified advocate before acting.

• Notary public: verifies your identity and signature or certifies a true copy.
• Apostille: a single certificate used between member countries of the Hague Apostille Convention. Check whether the specific country pair accepts it, because Bangladesh's position and the other country's rules affect the route.
• Consular legalisation: where the foreign ministry and then the embassy of the destination country stamp the document in sequence.

Always ask the receiving authority which method it accepts before you spend money.

1. Get the original or a certified copy from the issuing authority (e.g. education board, university, Registrar, Union Parishad/City Corporation, court).
2. For certificates: verify with the relevant authority. Education certificates normally need verification by the board/university and then the Ministry of Education.
3. Submit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation section in Dhaka for the official attestation stamp.
4. If the destination country requires it, take the document to that country's embassy in Dhaka for legalisation.
5. Keep several certified copies for different uses.

Some documents (birth, marriage and death certificates) must also be in English or have a certified English translation.

1. Sign or obtain the document in front of a notary public, or get it issued by the competent authority.
2. If required, have the foreign ministry (e.g. FCDO in the UK, the Secretary of State in the US, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in UAE) legalise the notary.
3. Take it to the Bangladesh Embassy or High Commission for consular attestation.
4. Courier to Bangladesh; your advocate presents it to the Sub-Registrar office, court, bank or ministry.

• Power of Attorney: see our PoA guide.
• Marriage certificate: Bangladeshi Nikahnama usually needs Registrar attestation and then MOFA.
• Birth certificate: use the English online birth registration certificate and have it attested.
• Police clearance: the issuing police authority first, then MOFA/embassy as needed.
• Court orders and judgments: certified copy from the court, then Law Ministry and MOFA before use abroad.

Documents not in English (or the language of the receiving country) must be translated by a certified or sworn translator. The translation is often attested together with the original. For use in Bangladesh, documents in English are generally accepted, but other languages require translation to Bangla or English.

• Skipping a level in the chain (for example, going straight to MOFA).
• Using photocopies where originals are required.
• Name mismatch between passport, NID and the certificate.
• Expired or very old documents (clearances usually have a validity window).
• Paying "agents" without checking the official fee and receipt.

• Ask your advocate for the exact attestation chain for your purpose before you start.
• Scan every document and keep a digital copy.
• Use trusted courier services with tracking.
• Start at least 4-6 weeks before any deadline.
• Keep contact details of the embassy consular section and book appointments online where available.

This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Fees, forms and procedures change; confirm current requirements with the relevant office or a qualified advocate before acting.

Notarisation confirms identity and signature before a notary. Attestation is the wider chain of official verifications (notary, ministry, embassy) that makes the document acceptable abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation section attests documents after the issuing authority or concerned ministry has verified them.

This depends on the country pair and current rules. Ask the receiving authority and check with the Bangladesh Mission before relying on apostille.

It can take from a few days to several weeks depending on the country and the number of steps.

Not always, but a lawyer helps for legal documents like PoA, court papers and property documents to make sure the chain is correct.