Self-Attested vs Attested vs Notarised Copy: What's the Difference?

A college asks for "self-attested copies of mark sheets". A visa checklist wants "notarised copies". An old government form says "attested by a gazetted officer". They sound similar, but they are three different things: who signs, what it costs, and how long it takes are all different. Here is what each one means, when you need it, and which ones you can do yourself in two minutes without leaving home.

The short version

Self-attested copy

Self-attestation means you sign a copy of your own document to declare that it is a true copy of the original. You write "Self-attested", sign, and add the date. No official is involved, and you can do it on paper or on a PDF.

Since 2014, the central government has encouraged its departments to accept self-attested copies instead of copies attested by a gazetted officer, and self-attestation is now the normal requirement for routine applications. The office checks the original later if it needs to — at admission, at joining, or at the counter.

You'll usually be asked for it for: college and school admissions, job applications and joining kits, bank, demat and SIM KYC, scholarship and exam forms, rent agreements and housing societies.

How to do it on your phone or laptop: how to self-attest a document online. For ID cards, there are a few extra things to get right — see self-attest an Aadhaar copy and self-attest a PAN card copy.

Attested copy (by a gazetted officer or official)

An attested copy is signed by someone else — traditionally a gazetted officer, sometimes a school principal, a bank manager or another official named in the form. They look at your original, then sign and stamp the copy to confirm it matches.

Because self-attestation is now accepted for most routine purposes, this is needed far less often than it used to be. If a form still asks for it, follow the form exactly: it will usually say who may attest (for example "a gazetted officer" or "the head of your institution"). A self-attested copy won't count as officer-attested.

Notarised copy

A notary public is a lawyer appointed by the government to authenticate documents and signatures. Notarisation means you go to a notary with your original and the copy (or the document you are signing), and the notary verifies it, signs, adds their seal and records it in their register. There is a fee.

You'll usually need it for: affidavits and declarations, some agreements, certain bank and property paperwork, and documents meant for use abroad. Documents for some foreign countries may also need an apostille from the Ministry of External Affairs — that is a separate step on top of notarisation, and the embassy or institution will tell you if it applies.

Notarisation is generally done in person, so an online PDF tool cannot replace it. If a checklist says "notarised", a self-attested copy won't be accepted.

Which one do you need?

1. Read the exact wording on the form. "Self-attested" means you sign. "Attested by a gazetted officer" means an official signs. "Notarised" means a notary.
2. If it just says "attested copy" with no detail, ask the institution. Many mean self-attested today, but some don't.
3. If it is for use outside India, expect notarisation, and possibly an apostille or embassy attestation.
4. Carry the originals whenever you hand over copies in person — any of the three can be checked against them.

Common questions

Is a self-attested copy legally valid?

It is your own declaration that the copy is true, and most government offices, colleges and employers accept it for routine applications. Giving a false self-attested copy can have legal consequences, so only self-attest copies of documents that are genuinely yours.

Can a notary self-attest my documents for me?

No — self-attestation can only be done by the person the document belongs to. A notary can notarise the copy instead, which is a different (and paid) process.

Can a parent self-attest a child's documents?

For minors, forms often ask a parent or guardian to sign. Follow the form's instructions — some ask for the student's signature, some for the parent's, some for both.

Can I self-attest a document digitally?

Yes. For online applications, a PDF with "Self-attested", your signature and the date is what's normally expected. DocuSmartly's Sign tool does this in your browser without uploading the file. If the upload limit is small, compress the signed PDF to 100 KB.

Is an e-signature the same as self-attestation?

Not quite. Self-attestation is about confirming a copy of your document. An e-signature is about signing an agreement or form. The same signature can be used for both — see are electronic signatures legal in India.

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