Updated for 2026 · When self-attestation is enough and when a gazetted officer is still required.
- Self-attestation is accepted for most government applications now.
- Write "True Copy", sign and date on the photocopy.
- The 2013 self-certification policy removed most attestation requirements.
- Originals are shown at final verification, not attached upfront.
- Some banks, defence bodies and scholarships still require attestation — check the form.
What changed, and why it matters
For decades, applying for anything meant hunting down a gazetted officer to stamp your photocopies, or paying for a notarised affidavit. In 2013 the Government of India issued a policy directing departments to accept self-certification wherever possible, and wrote to state governments asking them to drop the requirement of affidavits and attested copies. The purpose was straightforward: to cut red tape and stop citizens paying intermediaries for a signature.
The practical consequence is that in most cases you attest your own documents. Gazetted-officer attestation is no longer needed for things like tatkal passport applications, admission to state and central universities, or most government job applications.
How to self-attest correctly
2. Write "True Copy" or "Self-attested" on the copy, usually near the bottom or in a blank margin.
3. Sign across the copy — your signature should touch the document, not sit in empty space.
4. Add the date.
5. Keep the original ready to produce at verification.
Use a blue or black pen, sign consistently the same way you sign elsewhere on the application, and do not write across critical text such as the name, number or seal — the underlying detail must remain fully readable.
The one reliable rule is to read the instructions on the specific form. Some banks, defence establishments and certain scholarship schemes still require attestation by a gazetted officer or a notarised copy under their own rules, and submitting a self-attested copy there means a returned application. Equally, paying a notary for something the form does not ask for is wasted money. The form tells you; assumptions do not.
Self-attestation vs attestation vs notarisation
| Type | Who signs | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| Self-attestation | You | Most government applications and certificate services |
| Gazetted officer attestation | A gazetted officer | Where a form specifically requires it |
| Notarised copy | A notary, on stamp paper where applicable | Legal and financial matters, some institutional rules |
Where this comes up in Tamil Nadu applications
Most e-Sevai certificate applications work on uploaded scans plus originals at verification, so self-attestation covers the copies you attach. What matters far more in practice is that the details match across documents — a self-attested copy with a name spelled differently from your Aadhaar will be queried regardless of who signed it. Our guides to the income certificate, community certificate and nativity certificate set out what each one actually requires.
For a first-time application it is worth reading the taluk office checklist before you go, so you carry originals as well as copies rather than making a second trip.
Digitally signed certificates need no attestation at all
This is worth knowing because it saves a pointless step. A certificate downloaded from e-Sevai or DigiLocker already carries the issuing authority's digital signature. It is an original in electronic form, not a copy of one — so photocopying it and then self-attesting the photocopy adds nothing whatsoever.
Where a portal or office accepts the digital document, submit the digitally signed PDF itself, or let them scan the QR code on your printout to verify it against the government server. Attestation exists to vouch that a photocopy matches an original; a digitally signed file already proves its own authenticity by cryptographic means. Our guide to downloading e-Sevai certificates covers how to obtain the signed version rather than a plain print.
Common mistakes when self-attesting
- Signing in blank space instead of across the document — the signature should touch the copy.
- Covering the important details — never sign over the name, certificate number or seal.
- Forgetting the date, which is part of a valid self-attestation.
- A signature that does not match the one on the application form itself.
- Attesting a poor photocopy — if the text is not readable, attesting it does not help.
- Assuming it is always accepted without checking the form's own instructions.
Frequently asked questions
Is self-attestation valid for government applications?
Yes, for most services. Since the 2013 self-certification policy, departments were directed to accept self-attested copies in place of gazetted-officer attestation or affidavits wherever possible.
How do I self-attest a document?
Write "True Copy" or "Self-attested" on the photocopy, sign across it, and add the date. Keep the original for verification.
Do I still need a gazetted officer sometimes?
Yes. Some banks, defence establishments and certain scholarship schemes still require attested or notarised copies under their own rules. Read the specific form's instructions.
Does self-attestation replace showing the original?
No. Originals are still produced at the final verification stage; self-attestation only covers the copies you submit with the application.
Which pen should I use?
Blue or black. Sign clearly across the copy without obscuring the name, number or seal on the document.
About ComplyKraft. Built by Dinesh Kumar S in Chennai — B.Sc. Mathematics, M.Sc. IT. Plain-language guides to Tamil Nadu government services and schemes.
Disclaimer: Informational guide, updated 2026. This is not official government communication. Attestation requirements vary between departments and institutions — always follow the instructions printed on the specific application form.