Short answer: notary and gazetted officer attestation are usually same day. State attestation (SDM or HRD) takes from a few working days to a few weeks, MEA attestation or apostille a few more days, and embassy attestation roughly another week. A full chain for the UAE, Qatar or Kuwait commonly takes 1–3 weeks.
“How many days will it take?” is the first question almost everyone asks — usually because a visa appointment or joining date is already fixed. The honest answer depends on the document and the destination. Here are realistic timelines stage by stage, and what slows things down.
Typical time for each stage
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Notary | Same day |
| Gazetted officer | Same day |
| First class magistrate affidavit | 1–2 working days |
| SDM (Delhi personal documents) | 3–7 working days |
| HRD / education department | 1–3 weeks (varies by state and university) |
| MEA attestation or apostille | 2–5 working days after the state stage |
| Embassy attestation | 3–10 working days, depending on the embassy |
| MOFA (in the destination country) | Usually done after arrival; varies |
These are typical ranges, not guarantees. Holidays, embassy schedules and verification queries can change them.
Total time by destination
Documents going abroad?
We handle MEA apostille for 120+ Hague countries (Saudi Arabia, China, Europe, USA) and embassy attestation for the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and more — state, MEA and embassy stages done for you, with pan-India courier pickup.
What causes delays
- Names or dates that don’t match between documents and the passport
- Educational documents that need university verification
- Missing supporting marksheets or transcripts
- Starting at the wrong office — for example notary instead of SDM or HRD
- Embassy holidays and appointment backlogs
How to get it done faster
- Start before your visa or joining date is fixed.
- Keep originals, all marksheets and your passport copy ready.
- Have the route checked first, so nothing is done twice.
- Use a courier-based service instead of visiting each office yourself.
Country-specific timelines: UAE attestation time, Qatar attestation, Kuwait educational attestation. For the state step in Delhi, see SDM attestation in Delhi.
Not sure which attestation your form needs? Send a photo of it on WhatsApp or call +91 93109 70010 — we tell you the exact process before you spend any money.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does attestation take?
Notary and gazetted officer attestation are same day; a complete embassy attestation usually takes 1–3 weeks.
How long does MEA apostille take?
Typically 2–5 working days after the state-level attestation is complete.
How many days does it take to get a character certificate?
From a school or college, often the same day; police verification usually one to a few weeks.
Can attestation be done in one day?
Notary and gazetted officer attestation can. MEA and embassy stages take longer.
SK Document Centre has helped people in Delhi NCR with attestation, affidavits, apostille and embassy legalisation for over a decade. Questions about your documents? WhatsApp us.
