How long should I allow for document attestation?
This is one of the most common questions we receive at Settle My Docs.
The answer is:
It depends on the document, destination country and number of authorities involved.
There is no universal processing time for document attestation because different documents can follow different routes.
A simple document may require relatively few steps. Another document may first require notarisation, verification by another Malaysian authority, Wisma Putra attestation and finally embassy legalisation.
How long does Wisma Putra attestation take?
Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that, under normal circumstances, documents submitted to its Consular Division for attestation can be collected on the same day or by the following working day.
However, this only refers to the Wisma Putra stage. A document attestation process involves several steps.
Wisma Putra’s timeline does not necessarily represent the total time required to prepare a document for overseas use. There may be several steps to be done before the document can be attested by Wisma Putra.
What can make the complete process take longer?
1. The type of document
Government-issued documents may follow a different route from educational, commercial or legal documents.
An educational certificate will require the education institution to issue a completion letter before the Ministry of Higher Education does the authentication which may take a few days to weeks but a birth certificate only needs a Notary before submission to Wisma Putra and the notary takes only 1-2 days.
2. Prior verification
Some documents must be verified or certified by another authority before Wisma Putra can authenticate them. If a document is a foreign issued document than it needs to be authenticated at the Embassy of the country that issued the document before Wisma Putra will attest the document.
This adds another stage to the process.
3. Notarisation
Copies and certain private, legal or commercial documents may require notarisation.
That needs to be factored into the overall timeline as different documents have different notary requirements.
4. Embassy processing
Where embassy or consular legalisation is required, the foreign mission will have its own processing time.
Some missions accept walk-ins but others have strict appointment schedules to follow.
Others require appointments or applications through an authorised service provider.
Processing arrangements can change, so they should be checked before submission.
5. Translation
If your document must be translated, allow additional time for translation and any required certification.
6. Errors or missing documents
This can create the biggest delay of all.
If a document is submitted without the correct prior endorsement, supporting document or certification, it may need to be returned and resubmitted.
How early should I start?
If the documents are needed for something important such as:
- Overseas employment
- Work visa
- University admission
- Professional registration
- Residency application
- Marriage overseas
- Dependant visa
- Business transaction
- Court proceedings
don’t leave attestation until the last minute.
Start by finding out exactly what the receiving authority requires.
Then work backwards from your deadline.
Can someone submit documents for me?
Yes, this is one reason many customers choose to use a document attestation service.
Instead of travelling between different authorities and monitoring each stage themselves, they appoint someone to manage the process.
Can Settle My Docs tell me how long my documents will take?
Yes.
Send us:
1. The document you need attested
2. The country where it will be used
3. What the document will be used for
4. Your required deadline
We can then determine the likely process and provide a more meaningful timeline based on your particular case.
Have a deadline? Speak to Settle My Docs before starting the attestation process.