Where do I go to get a document attested in Malaysia?
If you need to use a Malaysian document overseas, this is often the first question you will ask.
The short answer is:
There isn’t one place that handles every document from beginning to end.
Depending on the document and destination country, the process may involve one or more authorities.
These can include:
- The document issuer or relevant Malaysian authority
- A Notary Public, where required
- The Consular Division of Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra)
- The embassy, high commission or consulate representing the country where the document will be used
Not every document requires every step.
What does Wisma Putra do?
The Consular Division of Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra) provides attestation services for various documents that need authentication before being submitted to foreign missions or used overseas.
Examples listed by the Ministry include:
- Statutory declarations
- Certificates of Origin
- Powers of Attorney
- Birth certificates
- Educational certificates
- Commercial invoices
The purpose of the process is to authenticate the relevant stamp and signature on the document.
Where is document attestation done at Wisma Putra?
The Ministry’s Consular Division is located at:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia
Wisma Putra
No. 1, Jalan Wisma Putra
Precinct 2
62602 Putrajaya
The Ministry currently states that its document-attestation service operates on a walk-in basis, subject to its current operating arrangements.
Always check the latest requirements before travelling to Putrajaya because procedures can change.
Can someone submit my document for me?
Yes, for the Wisma Putra stage.
The Ministry states that a document can be submitted personally or by a representative.
Identification and, where necessary, an authorisation letter may be required.
This means you do not necessarily need to personally handle every stage of the process.
Do I need to do anything before i send the documents to Wisma Putra
Yes most definitely as most times the document will need to be authenticated before Wisma Putra will attest them. Different documents require different types of authentication process before Wisma Putra submission.
For example, the Ministry states that if the original document or certificate is not presented, copies generally need to be endorsed by a Notary Public before submission to its Consular Division.
Private, legal and commercial documents may have different requirements. Educational documents will need to be authenticated at the Ministry of Higher Education and foreign documents require Embassy authentication before hand.
Do not notarise documents automatically without first establishing the correct process. An unnecessary or incorrect notarisation can create additional cost and, in some cases, complicate the subsequent process.
Do I need to go to the embassy as well?
That depends on the destination country and the document.
Most overseas authorities require Malaysian documents to undergo further legalisation by their embassy, high commission or consulate after authentication by Wisma Putra.
Embassy requirements are not identical.
Each foreign mission can have its own:
- Document requirements
- Application procedures
- Fees
- Processing times
- Appointment requirements
- Submission arrangements
This is why asking simply, “How do I attest a document in Malaysia?” is not enough.
A better question is:
“How do I attest this particular Malaysian document for use in this particular country?”
Is attestation the same as notarisation?
No.
These terms are frequently confused.
Notarisation generally involves a Notary Public certifying or witnessing a document, copy, signature or related matter.
Attestation/authentication involves an authority authenticating the relevant signature or seal so that the document can proceed through the required chain for overseas use.
Embassy legalisation is a further authentication by the diplomatic mission of the destination country where required.
The process you need depends on the document and the country where it will be used.
What is the easiest way to get documents attested?
You essentially have two options.
You can determine the requirements yourself, visit the relevant authorities and manage each stage.
Or you can appoint a document-attestation service to manage the process on your behalf.
The value of using a specialist is not simply having someone carry your documents from one counter to another.
It is knowing which counter your document needs to go to in the first place — and in what order.
How Settle My Docs can help
Settle My Docs handles document attestation and legalisation for individuals and businesses in Malaysia.
We assist with a wide range of:
Personal Documents
Birth, marriage, death and other personal certificates.
Educational Documents
Degrees, diplomas, transcripts and other educational certificates.
Commercial Documents
Company documents, commercial agreements, invoices and related documents.
Legal Documents
Powers of Attorney, declarations and other legal documentation.
We can also assist with related services such as notarisation, translation, Wisma Putra authentication and embassy legalisation where applicable.
Before you start, send us three things
1. What document do you have?
2. Which country will it be used in?
3. What will the document be used for?
From those three pieces of information, we can help determine the appropriate route.
Not sure where to start? Send Settle My Docs a copy or description of your document and tell us the destination country. We’ll guide you through the next step.