The Full Process at a Glance
For official MFA requirements and details, refer to the MFA Document Attestation Guide.
Step-by-Step Process
Obtain the Original Document
Get the original Sri Lankan document you need to authenticate. This could be a birth certificate, marriage certificate, educational certificate, police clearance, or any other official document.
- Birth & marriage certificates: Registrar General's Department (Colombo) or local Divisional Secretariat
- Police clearance: Apply online at eservices.police.lk — no need to visit the police station
- Academic certificates: your school, university, or the Department of Examinations
- Make sure the document is recent — some embassies require documents issued within 3–6 months
Get a Sworn Translation (Sinhala / Tamil → English)
SwornTranslators.lk handles thisIf your document is in Sinhala or Tamil, it must be translated into English by a sworn translator authorised by the Ministry of Justice, Sri Lanka. This is a mandatory requirement for MFA attestation.
- Only Ministry of Justice registered translators' translations are accepted by the MFA
- The translation must include the translator's stamp, signature, and registration number
- Submit both the original document AND the sworn translation to the MFA
- SwornTranslators.lk provides 100% online sworn translations — no office visit needed
Notarization (if required)
Some destination countries or document types require the original document to be notarized by a Sri Lankan Notary Public before MFA attestation. Check the specific requirements of the country you are submitting to.
- Not always required — check with the relevant embassy or institution first
- A Notary Public in Sri Lanka can certify your original document
- Notarization fees vary — typically LKR 2,000–5,000 per document
- The sworn translation itself does not require separate notarization in most cases
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Attestation
Submit your original document plus the sworn English translation to the Sri Lanka Ministry of Foreign Affairs for attestation. The MFA stamps and signs the document, confirming it is genuine for international use.
- MFA location depends on the branch you select when booking — book via eChannelling to confirm your nearest location
- Submit: original document + sworn translation + copy of your NIC/Passport
- Most documents are attested the same day — if there are any concerns with your documents, processing may take longer
- MFA attestation fee varies by document type — check the official MFA website
- Book appointments online: echannelling.com/ministry-of-foreign-affairs
Embassy Attestation or Apostille (if required)
Depending on the destination country, you may need further authentication. Countries that are members of the Hague Convention accept an Apostille instead of embassy attestation. Sri Lanka is not yet a Hague Convention member, so you may need embassy legalisation.
- For Hague Convention countries (USA, UK, Australia, Germany, Canada): embassy attestation is typically required
- Sri Lanka is NOT yet a Hague Convention member — apostille is not yet issued here
- Contact the relevant embassy in Colombo for their specific legalisation requirements
- Some countries accept MFA attestation alone — always verify before proceeding
Submit to the Destination Institution
Once your document has been fully attested, you can submit it to the foreign embassy, immigration authority, university, or other institution that requested it.
- Keep certified copies of all attested documents for your own records
- Documents stored on SwornTranslators.lk are available for 3 months after delivery
- Always download and save your sworn translation PDF for future use
- Some institutions may require physical originals — check courier requirements in advance
Document Requirements Matrix
Which steps does each document type typically require? Use this as a quick reference — always verify with the relevant embassy or institution.
| Document | Sworn Translation | Notarization | MFA Attestation | Embassy Legalisation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birth Certificate | ✅ | — | ✅ | ⚠️ | Required for spousal/family visas |
| Marriage Certificate | ✅ | — | ✅ | ⚠️ | Required for partner & spousal visas |
| Police Clearance | ✅ | — | ✅ | ⚠️ | Required within 3–6 months of submission |
| Academic Transcripts | ✅ | — | ✅ | — | Check with destination university |
| Degree Certificate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | Often required for work visas |
| Death Certificate | ✅ | — | ✅ | — | Required for inheritance/estate matters |
| Divorce Certificate | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | Required for remarriage overseas |
| NIC / Passport | ✅ | — | — | — | Translation only — MFA not usually required |
| Driving Licence | ✅ | — | ✅ | — | For licence conversion overseas |
| Medical Records | ✅ | — | — | — | Translation only — for medical immigration |
⚠️ = may be required depending on destination country. Always confirm with the relevant embassy.
Requirements by Destination Country
🇦🇺 Australia
- Sworn translation mandatory
- MFA attestation required for most visa types
- DFAT (Australian Embassy Colombo) legalisation for some documents
- Home Affairs accepts sworn translations directly for immigration
🇨🇦 Canada
- Sworn translation required by IRCC
- MFA attestation required for civil status documents
- High Commission of Canada in Colombo may require embassy stamp
- Express Entry & family sponsorship both require sworn translations
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Sworn translation accepted by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI)
- MFA attestation recommended for civil documents
- UK does not require apostille from non-Hague countries
- Translations must be by a competent translator — sworn qualifies
🇩🇪 Germany / Schengen
- Beglaubigte Übersetzung (certified/sworn translation) required
- MFA attestation required for most Schengen visa applications
- German Embassy may require additional legalisation
- Best to confirm requirements at the German Embassy Colombo
🇺🇸 United States
- USCIS accepts sworn translations for immigration
- Translator certification statement required
- MFA attestation recommended for civil documents
- US Embassy may require additional notarization for specific visa types
🇦🇪 UAE / Middle East
- MFA attestation is mandatory
- UAE Embassy attestation required after MFA
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs UAE may require further attestation
- Process can take 2–3 weeks total
Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Useful Information
Location: Branch depends on your booking — select when scheduling via eChannelling
Appointments: Online via echannelling.com/ministry-of-foreign-affairs
Normal service: Same day for most documents
Note: Processing may take longer if there are concerns with the documents
Police Clearance (online): eservices.police.lk →
Documents to bring:
- Original document
- Sworn English translation
- Copy of NIC or Passport
- Completed MFA application form
- Applicable attestation fee (cash)
Important Disclaimer
Requirements for document legalisation and attestation change frequently. Embassy requirements vary by visa type and nationality. The information above is provided as a general guide only. Always confirm the exact requirements with the relevant embassy, High Commission, or immigration authority before proceeding. SwornTranslators.lk is not responsible for rejections due to incomplete or incorrect documentation.
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