MOFA attestation validates the authenticity of documents (educational, personal, or commercial) for international use. It is required for:
- Employment or study abroad (e.g., UAE, Saudi Arabia, Europe).
- Visa applications (work, residency, family sponsorship).
- Business contracts or legal proceedings in foreign countries.
Note: MOFA attestation is the final step in Pakistan for document legalization. Documents must first be attested by relevant authorities (e.g., HEC for degrees, IBCC for Matric/Intermediate, Notary Public for personal documents).
Documents Eligible for MOFA Attestation
Educational Certificates: Attested by HEC (degrees) or IBCC (Matric/Intermediate).
- Personal Documents:
- Birth/death certificates.
- Marriage/divorce certificates.
- Police clearance certificates (attested by Interior Ministry).
- Affidavits (attested by Notary Public).
Commercial Documents:
Company contracts, invoices, or power of attorney (attested by the Chamber of Commerce).
Required Documents
Prepare the following:
- Original Documents (already attested by the relevant authority, e.g., HEC, IBCC, Notary).
- Photocopies of the attested documents (1–2 sets).
- Original CNIC/NICOP/Passport and a photocopy.
- Passport-sized Photographs (2–4, depending on document type).
- Attestation Form (available at MOFA offices or online).
- Fee Payment Receipt (see fee structure below).
For Foreign-Issued Documents:
First, attest by the issuing country’s embassy in Pakistan.
Translate non-English/Urdu documents via a certified translator.
Step-by-Step Process
Pre-Attestation by Relevant Authority
- Educational Certificates: Attest by HEC (degrees) or IBCC (Matric/Intermediate).
- Personal Documents: Attest by a Notary Public or relevant department (e.g., NADRA for birth certificates).
- Commercial Documents: Attest by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Submit to MOFA
In-Person Submission
Visit the Attestation Section in:
- Islamabad: Foreign Office Complex, Constitution Avenue.
- Karachi: MOFA Regional Directorate, Shahrah-e-Iran.
- Lahore: MOFA Regional Directorate, Egerton Road.
Submit documents, forms, and photos. Pay fees at the designated counter.
Online Application (E-Services)
Visit the MOFA e-Portal.
- Create an account, upload scanned documents, and pay fees online.
- Courier the original attested documents to related office. (if required).
Collect Attested Documents
In-Person: Return with the receipt after the processing period.
Online: Track status via the e-portal; documents are returned by courier.
Fee Structure
Educational Documents: ~PKR 500–1,000 per document.
- Personal Documents: ~PKR 300–800 per document.
- Commercial Documents: ~PKR 1,000–2,000 per document.
- Urgent Processing: 2x the normal fee (24–48 hours).
Note: Confirm updated fees on the website.
Processing Time
- Normal: 2–5 working days.
- Urgent: 1–2 working days (extra charges apply).
After MOFA Attestation
For international use, some countries require embassy attestation of the MOFA-stamped documents. For example:
- UAE/Saudi Arabia: Submit attested documents to the respective embassy in Pakistan.
- China/Canada: Legalize via the Pakistani embassy in the destination country.
Important Notes
Fraud Prevention: verifies documents against HEC/IBCC databases. Fake documents are rejected.
Contact MOFA:
Islamabad: +92-51-920-7639
Karachi: +92-21-9920-6625
Website: MOFA Pakistan
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