STAMP SAMPLES

TRANSLATION/NOTARIZATION/ATTESTATION/CERTIFICATION of NIKAHNAMA

Any document which is not in English or French must to be accompanied by : (bit.ly/2FBv1Hs)

• the English or French translation; and

• an affidavit from the person who completed the translation; and

• a certified copy of the original document.

Q1) What is Notarization?

A1) Notarization, which is also referred to as a notarial act, is the process of providing an official proof that the owner of the document has attested that the document is authentic and can be trusted. It is a three-part process that includes vetting the document, certifying it, and keeping a record of the notarial act. The main purpose of notarization is to detect and reduce fraud, and the process can only be carried out by a Notary Public.

Q2) What is Attestation?

A2) An attestation is a formal declaration by a witness that an act was performed in his or her presence in accordance with legal guidelines. In other words, as far as certifying a document is concerned, it is an act of validating that a signature was signed in your presence. Generally, attestation can be performed by any witness or person who is above 18 and who does not own the document that is been certified.

Q3) What is an Affidavit?

A3) An affidavit is a document on which the translator has sworn, in the presence of a commissioner authorized to administer oaths in the place where the affidavit is sworn, that the contents of the translation are a true translation and representation of the contents of the original document. Translators who are certified members in good standing of one of the provincial or territorial organizations of translators and interpreters of Canada do not need to supply an affidavit.

Q4) What is the purpose of Notarizing Document?

A4) The purpose of having a legal document notarized is to ensure the authenticity of the signatures that appear on the document (i.e. to officially legalize document). You can either legalize your document via Notary Public or via MOFA. If your Original documents are already attested by MOFA, you do not need to Notarize or have Notary Public seal on them, as your documents are already legalized by MOFA.

Q5) What is the difference between a certified copy and a notarized copy?

A5) Sometimes, you may be asked to have an original document “notarized,” as opposed to “certified” as a true copy. But a document that has already been signed by the issuer cannot be notarized unless it is signed in the presence of a notary. A ‘certified’ copy is a specific type of notarization. It is the only official act of a notary that does not require the physical presence of a signatory, thus, no oath is administered. Instead, it requires the presence of the original document. IRCC request for ‘certified’ copy of the original document. It must be done by Notary Public in Pakistan.

Q6) What is a certified translation?

A6) A certified translation is a translation accompanied by a signed statement/affidavit attesting that the translation is accurate and complete to the best of the translator's knowledge and ability. Any translator or translation company may "certify" a translation.

Q7) How to have photocopy of document ‘certified’?

A7) To have a photocopy of a document certified, an authorized person (such as notary public) must compare the original document to the photocopy and must print the following on the photocopy:

· “I certify that this is a true copy of the original document”,

· the name of the original document,

· the date of the certification,

· his or her name,

· his or her official position or title, and

· his or her signature.

NOTE : A commissioner for oaths does not have the power to make certified copies (bit.ly/2FuEv3M)

Q8) Can documents be attested by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)?

A8) Yes! Bear in mind that MOFA will put their attestation stamps on ORIGINAL documents. All MOFA attested documents remain legal forever. MOFA attested documents do not require notarization or affidavit. MOFA do not attest either the contents or the genuineness of the document. They only countersign the attestation made by other authorities. You must submit original documents along with photocopies of each document when going to MOFA office:

i) Original Nikahnama (with photocopy)

ii) Original Translation (with photocopy)

iii) Marriage Registration Certificate, MRC (with photocopy)

Supporting documents:

a) Bride’s CNIC/NICOP with Husband’s name on it (with photocopy)

b) Marriage Registration Certificate, MRC

c) Family Registration Certificate, FRC

It is a one-day process if you go in person. By courier, it can take 3 working days. More Information:

Official Link : http://www.mofa.gov.pk/content.php?pageID=consaffairs#NN Courier Link : https://leopardscourier.com/pk/mofa.html

Q9) Can Notary Public do all three steps (notarize/attest/certify)?

Q9) Yes! They generally do! However, you need to ask your Notary Public first and inquire about fees.

Q10) What is the difference between certified and attested?

A10) To certify is to attest to as the truth or meeting a standard, generally writing ‘Certified to be true copy of the original seen by me’. Attest is to affirm to be correct, true, or genuine. Generally, attestation is a lengthy process and can be part of certifying process.

Q11) So, What do I have to provide?

• If your original documents and translations are attested/certified by MOFA, you do not require Notarizing Originals.
• Affidavit by Translator is not required when Nikahnama is attested/certified by MOFA, however there’s no harm in sending it & should be printed on Legal Stamp paper (Affidavit Sample)
• Photocopy of Urdu Nikahnama must be ‘certified’ by Notary Public (Refer to Q7). They will put ‘Certified True Copy’ stamp on your photocopy, along with Notary Public Stamp/Embossing Seal and signatures.
• Translation and Affidavit need to be ‘Certified’ by Notary Public or MOFA.
• When ‘certifying’ original document, Notary Public will stamp, sign and seal document. When ‘certifying’ true copy, Notary Public will stamp, sign and seal photocopy along with writing/stamping ‘Certified True Copy’ or something similar (Refer to Q7)