Document Attestation Guide
Why does my documents need to be attested?
A Malaysian document may not automatically be recognised by an organisation or authority overseas.
The attestation of your documents helps confirm the document, signature, seal or issuing authority
is genuine. This results in your document being recognised and accepted by organizations and
authorities in an overseas country.
Common reasons you need your documents attested
- Overseas employment
- University admission
- Business registration
- Court or legal matters
- Immigration or residency
- Marriage overseas
- Commercial transactions
Important
Attestation confirms authenticity. The receiving authority still decides whether to accept the document.
The typical attestation process
The exact route depends on the document, issuing authority, destination country and intended use.
1
Review
Check the document, destination and purpose
2
Certification
Notarise, witness or certify a copy if required
3
Verification
Confirm the document with the issuing institution
4
Authentication
Submit to the relevant Malaysian authority including the Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of Foreign Affairs
5
Legalisation
Submit to the destination embassy who will provide the final attestation.
6
Return
Arrange collection or send out completed documents via courier
Attestation compared with apostille
Attestation or legalisation
- Involve several authorities including notaries and government ministries
- Includes embassy or consular legalisation
- The required route for countries that are not part of the Hague Apostille Convention
Apostille
- A single certificate issued by a competent authority
- Only applicable for countries part of the Hague Apostille Convention
- Replaces traditional attestation/ legalisation between applicable countries
Why Malaysian documents are not apostilled
Malaysia is not currently a contracting party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Malaysian public
documents therefore follows the attestation and legalisation route required by the receiving country.
Checklist of documents required for the attestation process
Personal documents
- Original or official certificate, where required
- Passport or identification copy
- Destination country and purpose
- Evidence supporting any name difference
- Translation, if already available
Examples: birth, marriage, death, medical and Certificate of Good Conduct.
Educational documents
- Degree, diploma or certificate
- Academic transcript, if required
- Passport or identification copy
- Destination country and purpose
- Institution verification details, if available
Examples: degrees, diplomas, transcripts, school and professional certificates.
Commercial documents
- Company or SSM documents
- Agreement, resolution or commercial certificate
- Company authorisation
- Signatory identification
- Destination and receiving organisation details
Some documents may need notarisation or confirmation by another organisation.
Legal documents
- Complete power of attorney, affidavit or agreement
- Identification of the person signing
- Evidence of signing authority, if relevant
- Official or certified court copy, if required
- Destination country and intended legal use
Do not sign in advance if a notary must witness the signature. Ask Settle first.
HAVE OTHER TYPES OF DOCUMENTS THAT REQUIRE ATTESTATION?
Don't worry. Send us a copy of your document and we will advise you
Check NowTimeline and possible delays
Processing time depends on the document, destination and authorities involved. After reviewing a
clear copy, Settle will provide an estimated route and timeline before the original is submitted.
An average timeline of between 10-14 working days is a safe assumption in most cases.
What may affect the timeline
- Institution or issuing-authority verification
- Number of authorities involved
- Embassy processing and appointment availability
- Public holidays in Malaysia or the destination country
- Incomplete documents, corrections or additional requirements
Pricing & Fees
The total cost depends on the document, destination, number of copies and required authorities. The final price will include the following fees:-
- Translation charges (if required)
- Malaysian government authority fees
- Embassy or consular charges
- Collection and courier costs
- Institution or third-party verification fees
- Notarisation or certification charges
- Settle processing and coordination fee
Quotation promise
Settle will provide a written quotation before processing. Optional or additional charges will be explained separately.