Requirements for Powers of Attorney attested by the Indian High Commission

India signed up to the Hague Apostille Convention over 20 years ago. This means that instead of documents being attested by the Indian High Commission, the Foreign Office can attach an apostille instead.

Despite this, certain states in India still require documents to be attested by the Indian High Commission. Most commonly, this is required for documents for use in Punjab, India.

This means that you can either attend the Indian High Commission in Birmingham or London with your Power of Attorney and two witnesses or you can visit a notary who will notarise the Power of Attorney with the two witnesses present and then only the signatories in the document need to attend the Indian High Commission in person.

In my experience, clients will frequently choose the notary option for a few reasons:

1. we understand the requirements of the Indian High Commission so that you get it right first time; and

   
   

2. it is hard to get independent witnesses and it is even harder for them to take a day off to go to Birmingham or London with you.

If you are looking to get a Power of Attorney for India which needs to be attested by the Indian High Commission, you will need:

1. Two witnesses - if they are not British citizens, they will need to include their eVisas which will be attached with notarised copies of their passports to the Power of Attorney;

   
   

2. Notarised copies of the signatories passports again if they are not British citizens they will need to include their eVisas attached to the Power of Attorney;

   
   

3. Notarised copies of a proof of address to show that they live outside of India which will also be attached to the Power of Attorney;

   
   

4. A passport size photograph which will be attached to the signature page of the Power of Attorney and either signed by the signatory or seal pressed by the Notary;

   
   

5. Left hand thumb prints of the signatories.

   
   

You will need to book an appointment with the Indian High Commission before attending otherwise you will be turned away unfortunately. You can book an appointment online here -

You can find out more regarding the Indian High Commission at https://www.hcilondon.gov.in/appointment_home/. Please note that whilst appointments are more available in London, you can be turned away if your 'local' High Commission is Birmingham.

If you have any questions regarding the attestation of documents at the Indian High Commission, please get in touch.

Thomas@tmnotary.co.uk

www.tmnotary.co.uk