Get Documents Attested Without Visiting Foreign Ministry. A step-by-step guide to register from Apostille.

MoFA Launches Streamlined Apostille Attestation Service for Pakistani Citizens

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Islamabad, along with its liaison offices in Karachi and Lahore, has launched a new service to facilitate applicants seeking apostille attestation.

This initiative, in collaboration with several leading courier companies, aims to streamline the document attestation process for Pakistani citizens.

New Apostille Attestation Service

Under this new arrangement, designated courier companies will collect documents from applicants, which will then be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The authorized courier companies include:

• TCS
• M&P
• Gerry’s
• Leopard
• ECS

These courier services are operational in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, ensuring broad accessibility for applicants.

Exclusions and Limitations

According to a statement from the Foreign Office, the courier companies are permitted to accept all types of documents for apostille attestation, except for Power of Attorney documents. This specific exclusion helps streamline the process and avoid legal complexities associated with such documents.

Pakistan’s Accession to the Hague Apostille Convention

This development follows Pakistan’s accession to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents (Apostille Convention) of 1961, earlier in 2023. The Apostille Convention simplifies the authentication process for public documents to a single formality: the issuance of an authentication certificate known as an “Apostille” by the designated authority of the country where the document was issued.

Benefits of the Apostille Convention

“The convention shortens the public document authentication process to a single formality which is the issuance of an authentication certificate called ‘Apostille’ by the designated authority of the country where the document was issued,” the FO statement said. “Thus, foreign public documents authenticated by Apostille can be directly presented to the authorities concerned without any other attestation requirement.”

Purpose and Impact

The purpose of the convention is to eliminate the traditional requirement of legalization, which often involves a lengthy and costly process. Instead, the Apostille certificate, issued by a competent authority in the place where the document originated, serves as sufficient authentication for the document’s international use.

Streamlined and Efficient Process

This new apostille attestation service by MoFA is expected to significantly ease the process for Pakistani citizens needing to authenticate documents for use abroad. By leveraging the network of reputable courier services, the initiative ensures a quicker, more efficient, and cost-effective solution for document authentication.

By introducing this streamlined service, MoFA demonstrates its commitment to enhancing public services and facilitating international document use for Pakistani citizens. This initiative is a significant step towards reducing bureaucratic hurdles and supporting citizens in their international endeavors.

Step-by-Step Guide to Get Documents Attested by Apostille

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Ensure all the necessary documents are ready for attestation. Make sure they are original and complete. Double-check to avoid any missing pages or signatures.

Step 2: Choose an Authorized Courier Service

Select one of the designated courier companies (TCS, M&P, Gerry’s, Leopard, ECS) operational in Islamabad, Lahore, or Karachi.

Step 3: Submit Your Documents

Visit the nearest office of the selected courier service. Submit your documents for apostille attestation along with any required forms or identification.

Step 4: Pay the Fee

Pay the required fee for the attestation service. The fee structure might vary slightly between different courier companies, so it’s advisable to confirm beforehand.

Step 5: Document Collection and Processing

The courier service will collect your documents and forward them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for attestation. This step involves verifying the authenticity and issuing the apostille certificate.

Step 6: Receive Your Attested Documents

Once the Ministry of Foreign Affairs completes the attestation process, the courier service will deliver the attested documents back to you.

Step 7: Verification (Optional)

If required, you can verify the attested documents online or through the designated verification channels provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

By following these steps, applicants can efficiently get their documents attested for international use, ensuring compliance with global standards and facilitating smooth international transactions.

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must be a resident of Punjab.
• The documents must not include Power of Attorney.
• Documents must be original and complete.

This step-by-step guide is designed to simplify the process for applicants and ensure they can access the new apostille attestation service without any hassle. For more information, visit the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Note: The information above might not be accepted 100%. Please verify from your own sources. We will not be responsible for any kind of loss due to our content.

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