India · Asia
SDM / Notary Authentication
Sub-Divisional Magistrate and notary public authentication, the essential first step in the Indian attestation chain required before state-level processing.
SDM and Notary authentication is the foundational first step for legalizing Indian personal documents. GreenAttest manages the Sub-Divisional Magistrate or notary verification in your local jurisdiction, preparing your documents for the Home Department and MEA stages that follow.
Before personal documents can reach the Home Department or MEA, they must be authenticated by a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) or a designated notary public in the jurisdiction where the document was issued. This first-level verification confirms that the document is genuine and was issued by a recognized authority.
The SDM or notary examines the original document, verifies the issuing authority's seal and signature, and applies an authentication stamp or seal. This step is mandatory for birth certificates, marriage certificates, affidavits, powers of attorney, and other personal documents entering the attestation chain.
GreenAttest coordinates with SDM offices and notaries across India. We ensure the correct jurisdiction handles your document, manage the submission and collection, and feed the authenticated document directly into the next stage of the attestation process.
Documents required
- 01 Original personal document requiring authentication
- 02 Photocopy of the document for SDM or notary records
- 03 Passport copy of the document holder
- 04 Address proof of the document holder or issuing jurisdiction
- 05 Authorization letter if submitted by a representative
Special requirements
- § Affidavits and powers of attorney must be executed on proper stamp paper of the correct value for the state before notarization.
How it works
- 01 Submit your personal documents to GreenAttest for jurisdiction identification.
- 02 We identify the correct SDM office or notary based on the document's issuing authority.
- 03 Documents are presented to the SDM or notary for verification and stamping.
- 04 Authenticated documents are collected and forwarded to the Home Department stage.
Insider tips
Frequently asked questions
SDM authentication is done by a government magistrate and carries more weight in the attestation chain. Notary authentication is done by a licensed notary public. Some states accept either for the Home Department stage, while others specifically require SDM authentication. GreenAttest advises you on which is required for your state.
Notary authentication is typically same-day. SDM authentication takes 1-3 business days depending on the jurisdiction and workload. GreenAttest schedules submissions to minimize wait times.
The notary should ideally be in the same jurisdiction as the document's issuing authority. Using a notary from a different district can cause issues at the Home Department stage. GreenAttest ensures the correct notary is engaged for your specific documents.
Other India services
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Doorstep Document Collection
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Tell us what you're working toward. We'll map every stamp.
Visa, job, university, company formation — share the objective and we'll return a full attestation plan with timelines and fees within one business day.