What is an attested copy and who can attest one?

Attestation is a testimony: an authorised person signs and stamps a photocopy to confirm they have compared it with the original and the two agree. It says nothing about the content of the document — only that the copy is faithful.

Not just anyone can do it. Typically it is a government officer of a specified rank, the head of an educational institution, or someone of comparable responsibility. Who is acceptable is stated in the application notice itself and varies between institutions, so check before you go.

Take the original with you when you have a copy attested — comparing it with the original is precisely the attester’s job. The signature normally has to be accompanied by a name, a designation and a seal; a bare signature is not accepted in many places.

One practical tip: get several attested copies of the documents you use repeatedly, all at once. Admission and hiring seasons take the same papers again and again, and there is rarely time to get a fresh attestation each round.