Certified Copies, Attestation & Apostille
A certified copy is an authenticated reproduction of an original document, verified by a competent authority (notary, court, registry) to be a true copy. These are often required for legal proceedings, property transactions, company filings, education verification, and family law matters including matrimonial disputes and settlements. If documents are to be used abroad, attestation and apostille may be required.
When is a Certified Copy Required?
- Filing court cases or responding to notices where original documents cannot be produced.
- Company & corporate compliance filings (ROC, MCA) where certified documents may be needed.
- Matrimonial proceedings: marriage certificates, passports, affidavits, or evidence copies.
- Arbitration: submitting evidence bundles and certified records to arbitral tribunals.
- International use: attestation/apostille for use in foreign jurisdictions.
Types of Certification & Attestation
Notary Certification
Verification and stamping by a Notary Public confirming the signature and copy authenticity.
Court Certified Copies
Obtained from court records or registry for pleadings, orders, judgments and case files.
Apostille & Embassy Attestation
For documents being used overseas, apostille (Hague) or embassy attestation is arranged as per country.
Certified Translations
Official translations with certification, often required alongside attested documents.
Process Overview
- Identify the type of certification/attestation required based on jurisdiction and purpose.
- Obtain authenticated copies from issuing authority (court, university, registry) or prepare notarised copy.
- For international use, route through state home department for apostille and then embassy if needed.
- Where necessary, obtain certified translations and notarise translated documents.
- Deliver certified bundle for filing with courts, tribunals, or foreign authorities.
Document Examples & Typical Times
| Document | Typical turnaround |
|---|---|
| Marriage Certificate (certified copy) | 2-5 business days |
| Court Pleadings / Judgment (court certified) | 3-10 business days |
| Educational Certificates (attested/apostilled) | 5-15 business days (country dependent) |
| Affidavits / Notarised statements | 1-3 business days |
| Commercial Documents for visa/work (apostille + embassy) | 7-21 business days |
Arbitration & Matrimonial Use Cases
Certified copies and attestations play a crucial role in dispute resolution. In arbitration, certified evidence bundles avoid disputes about authenticity; in matrimonial matters, certified documents (marriage certificates, bank statements, property documents, communications) are often primary exhibits.
Arbitration: Document Handling
We prepare authenticated evidence bundles for arbitral tribunals: certified copies, notarised witness statements, and affidavits. Our team also assists in chain-of-custody protocols to maintain evidentiary integrity.
Matrimonial: Privacy & Authentication
In family law, certified copies of marriage certificates, joint account statements, and other documents are essential. We handle discreet document procurement, notarisation, and representation when these documents are used in mediation, counseling, or court proceedings.
Fees & Pricing (Indicative)
Fees vary by document type, jurisdiction and urgency. Below is an indicative table:
| Service | Indicative Fee |
|---|---|
| Notarisation / Certified copy (local) | INR 300 - 900 |
| Court-certified copy (per page) | INR 50 - 250 |
| Apostille (state + central processing) | INR 1,000 - 5,000 |
| Embassy attestation (country dependent) | INR 2,000 - 10,000+ |
| Certified Translation (per page) | INR 500 - 2,500 |
| Rush / Same-day services | Additional 25% - 100% depending on urgency |
How Mundra Legal Helps
Certified Copy Procurement
We liaise with courts, municipal bodies, universities and registries to obtain certified records.
Apostille & Embassy Liaison
Full services for foreign use including embassy-specific requirements and document legalization.
Evidence Bundles for Arbitration
Prepare verified bundles, indexing and affidavits for arbitrations and tribunals.
Matrimonial & Family Support
Discreet handling of family law documents with sensitivity and privacy safeguards.
Checklist: Documents to Provide
- Original document (or certified copy ID) where available
- Photo ID proof of requester (PAN/Aadhaar/Passport)
- Signed authorization if requesting on behalf of someone else
- Details of receiving country (for apostille/embassy) and intended use
- Any supporting affidavits or translations required
Ready to proceed?
Contact us with the documents and purpose — we'll advise the exact certification route and timeline.
Request Certified Copy