What Types of Documents Eligible for SDM Attestation?

SDM attestation covers a wide range of documents, both educational and non-educational. Some of the common documents that require this attestation include birth certificates, marriage certificates, and degree certificates. Once attested by the SDM, these documents are ready for MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) attestation.

Here is the list of documents eligible for SDM Attestation.

Educational Documents

Personal Documents

Degree Certificate Diploma Certificate HSC / 12th Certificate SSC / 10th Certificate School Leaving Certificate Transcript Migration Certificate Transfer Certificate (TC) Bonafide Certificate Training Certificate

Degree Certificate Birth Certificate Marriage Certificate Death Certificate Divorce Decree Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) Medical Certificate Experience Certificate Internship Certificate Employment Certificate Salary Certificate Affidavits Power of Attorney (Personal) Name Change Affidavit Passport Copy Aadhaar Card Copy PAN Card Copy Driving Licence Copy Single Status Certificate Unmarried Certificate

What Is the Difference Between SDM Attestation and HRD Attestation?

Either SDM attestation or HRD attestation is the way to get an apostille. Both are the first step before submitting documents for the apostille process.

SDM attestation is the verification done by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate. It is applicable for both educational documents and non-educational documents. However, some countries do not accept SDM attestation for educational documents because the certificate is not verified by the issuing university.

HRD attestation is a state-level authentication process for educational documents. It goes one step beyond SDM attestation. First, your certificate is verified by the university where you completed your course. After the university verification, the document is submitted to the State HRD Department, where they verify the university authentication. Based on this verification, the Education Department attests the certificate, which is known as HRD attestation.

Some countries, such as Italy, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Portugal, do not accept SDM attestation for educational documents. They require complete HRD attestation before the apostille process.

Another major difference is the processing time. SDM attestation is generally completed in a shorter time, whereas HRD attestation takes longer because it includes university verification and state-level authentication.

What is the process of SDM Attestation?

The process of obtaining SDM attestation involves several steps:

• Notary Attestation: The first step, where a notary certifies the document.
• SDM Attestation: The Sub Divisional Magistrate verifies the document.
• MEA Attestation: The Ministry of External Affairs further attests the document.

For non-Hague countries such as the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait, Embassy attestation is required after SDM attestation.

What is the time required for SDM Attestation?

The time required for SDM attestation depends on the number of documents submitted for verification. Typically, it can take between 1 to 7 days to complete the process in Delhi.

What documents Required Documents for SDM Attestation?

To complete SDM attestation, you will need:

• The original document that requires attestation
• A scanned copy of the passport (first and last page)
• For marriage certificates, both spouses’ passport copies are needed

This efficient process ensures that documents are verified and ready for use abroad in a timely manner.

ND Universal provides fast and reliable attestation services, including SDM, HRD, and Apostille attestation. With expertise in handling educational and non-educational documents, they ensure hassle-free verification for use in foreign countries. Trust ND Universal for efficient, secure, and timely attestation services tailored to your specific needs.

---

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I Submit Documents Directly for Apostille Without SDM Attestation?
  Before any document can be submitted for an apostille, it must first be attested either by the SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) or through the relevant state-level authentication department, depending on the document type and the requirements of the destination country. Without completing this initial attestation process, your documents cannot be submitted directly for an apostille.
• HRD Attestation vs SDM Attestation – Which One Do You Need?

  SDM and HRD attestation are essential processes undertaken prior to the submission of documents for Apostille by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) or for Embassy attestation. It is important to note that only one of these procedures is required to proceed further. SDM attestation is carried out in Delhi, whereas HRD attestation is conducted by the respective State Department from which the documents were originally issued. While both procedures are generally acceptable for Apostille or Embassy attestation, certain countries do not recognize SDM attestation. Nations such as Italy, Austria, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar specifically mandate HRD attestation. Therefore, in such cases, HRD attestation becomes compulsory.

  👉 Here, you can find the list of the respective State Departments responsible for HRD attestation

• What is the full form of SDM Attestation?

  SDM full form is Sub Divisional Magistrate.
  The SDM has the authority to authenticate documents before they are submitted to the MEA for apostille.

• What is the fee for SDM Attestation?

  SDM attestation fees depend on the type of document, such as a degree certificate, birth certificate, or marriage certificate.
  Generally, the cost is around ₹1,250 to ₹1,450.
  However, for documents like a divorce certificate, the charges may be higher because the verification process is longer.