Legalisation, Authentication & Attestation of Documents

1. Legalisation of documents issued in Sri Lanka

For the purpose of Legalisation, Authentication & Attestation of documents issued in Sri Lanka, applicants are required to submit the original documents. (Photocopies/scanned or tampered documents will not be accepted). A translated document will be attested only if it has been translated by a Sworn Translator registered at the Ministry of Justice, Sri Lanka together with the original document. The sworn translator should indicate clearly in his/her letter head or the official stamp the languages in which he/she is authorized to translate.

2. Attestation of documents issued by the German Authorities

Any document issued by a German Authority should be verified/authenticated by the relevant authorized District Court/Office before submitting it to the Sri Lanka Embassy for attestation or legalisation. With regard to Police Certificates/Reports, applicants should submit the International Clearance Report/Certificate (Internationale Führungszeugnis) obtained from the Federal Office of Justice of Germany (Bundesamt für Justiz).

3. Power of Attorney & Affidavit – Sri Lankan & Dual Citizenship holders

Any Sri Lankan national holding a valid Sri Lankan Passport and a valid visa in Germany is eligible to sign a Power of Attorney or an Affidavit in the presence of an authorized at the Sri Lanka Embassy. Please note that two (02) witnesses holding Sri Lankan passports and valid visas in Germany are also required to present at the given appointment, as required. Immediate family members are not allowed to sign as witnesses. 

Dual Citizens should submit the Original Dual Citizenship certificate & valid Passport.

The Officers of the Embassy of Sri Lanka cannot administer the signing of Powers of Attorney & Affidavits of a person who is not a Sri Lankan or a Dual Citizen of Sri Lanka. Such persons, should sign Powers of Attorney & Affidavits to be used in Sri Lanka before a Notary/lawyer in Germany and subsequently need to attest the same from the relevant authorized Court/Office (Apostille) before submitting it to the Embassy.

Special Note: Applicants should not sign the Power of Attorney or the Affidavit in advance and should sign them in the presence of an authorized Officer at the Embassy.

Other Information

• Payments can be made in cash or debit/credit cards* at the counter if the application is submitted in person. If sent by post, payment should be made by Bank transfers to the official bank account of the Embassy. Personal cheques will not be accepted.
• All original documents will be returned after perusal.
• If the certificates and documents are to be returned by post, a self-addressed and stamped envelope should be sent along with the documents. Applications received without a stamped envelope will be retained until the applicant collects it personally or sends a self-addressed and stamped envelope.

Special Note: The Embassy will not take any responsibility for documents lost in the post.

If the applicant is unable to collect the documents from the Embassy personally, they may authorise another person, in writing. The person who collects the documents on behalf of the applicant should produce their identification document and the original cash receipt issued by this Embassy.

IMPORTANT: SUBMISSION OF FORGED DOCUMENTS AND MAKING FALSE DECLARATIONS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENCE AS PER THE SRI LANKA LAW. SUCH CASES WILL BE REPORTED TO THE RELEVANT AUTHORITIES.

Fees

• Affidavits /Attestation of Documents: €64/-
• Attestation of a Power of Attorney or a Proxy: €64/-
• Attestation of set of export documents: €57/-
• Attestation of other documents (Sri Lankan nationals): €41/-
• Attestation of other documents(Foreign nationals): €45/-
• Issuance of certified true copy/Original seen: €12/-
• Issuance of No Objection Letter: €29/-
• Issuance of all other letters or certificates (Sri Lankan nationals): €41/-
• Issuance of all other letters or certificates (Foreign nationals): €45/-
• Issuance of Extracts of Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates- 22/-