Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Document Attestation Process Explained

Document attestation is a crucial step for individuals requiring official validation of their documents, whether for use within Pakistan or abroad. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and its Camp Offices in provincial capitals provide efficient and user-friendly consular services, making the attestation process seamless and straightforward.

State-of-the-Art Consular Services Hall

To further enhance service delivery, MOFA has established a state-of-the-art, fully air-conditioned Consular Services Hall, operational since October 2013. This facility includes:

-Seating capacity for 200 persons to accommodate visitors comfortably.

-Four LCDs with cable networking for information and entertainment.

-Photocopying facility available on-site.

-Dedicated counters for document submission and collection:

-Five counters for general documents.

-One counter specifically for document delivery.

-Two counters for handling Power of Attorney services.

MOFA guarantees that all documents, excluding Power of Attorney and Affidavits, are processed or attested within two hours, either directly at their offices or through authorized courier services like Gerry’s, Leopards, and TCS.

Instructions for Attestation of Documents

Attestation services are provided without any fees, but applicants must adhere to the following guidelines:

Revenue stamps: Ensure the prescribed value revenue stamps are affixed to the documents.

Original ID and document photocopies: Bring your original identity card and a photocopy of the document for the Ministry’s records.

Authorized representatives: If you cannot visit in person, a blood relative may submit documents on your behalf, provided they can prove their relationship. Non-relatives require an authority letter, attested by Pakistan’s Embassy in the applicant’s country of residence.

Verification: Dubious or incomplete documents may be sent back to the issuing authority for re-verification.

Application Forms Available

-Affidavit of Financial Support
-Unmarried and Permission for Marriage
-NOC from Family Member
-Special Power of Attorney
-General Power of Attorney

Apostille Certification and Legalization Process

As of July 8, 2024, MOFA and its liaison offices in Lahore and Karachi have introduced the Apostille legalization process. Walk-in applicants can now receive Apostille Certification without requiring prior appointments. The Ministry has also collaborated with five courier companies to offer convenient door-to-door Apostille services.

Gerry’s International Pvt. Ltd.
Leopards Courier Service Pvt. Ltd.
Excellent Courier Services (ECS)
M&P Express Logistics Pvt. Ltd.

TCS Pvt. Ltd.

The revised fee structure for Apostille Certification is:

Personal and Educational Documents: Rs. 3,000/- per document
Legal Documents: Rs. 4,500/- per document
Commercial Documents: Rs. 12,000/- per document

Conclusion

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains committed to offering accessible and efficient document attestation services. With various facilities and simplified procedures, MOFA makes the process of attesting documents for personal, legal, or commercial purposes easy and stress-free.