Document attestation in Nepal: notary and translation for visas

For a student visa, you usually need a proper English translation of any document that isn’t in English, not a MoFA stamp. Document attestation in Nepal is done by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Department of Consular Services for Rs 500 per document, and only after the issuing office or ministry has verified the original. Nepal is not part of the Apostille Convention, and the Department of Consular Services does not attest documents that were only notarised.

Last checked: 19 October 2026. Each visa system sets its own translation rules; follow the latest version on its official site.

Translation, notary and attestation are three different things

Families often mix these up and pay for all three when only one is needed. Here is what each one does:

Good news first: many Nepali documents are already in English. The US State Department notes that since March 2013, birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates from local bodies are issued in both Nepali and English, and that Nepal police certificates are printed in English. Most university transcripts are also in English. You mainly need translation for older civil documents, citizenship certificates, land ownership papers (lalpurja), tax documents and some income documents.

Document attestation in Nepal: MoFA process and fee

The Department of Consular Services consular attestation page says applications are made online through its Nepal e-Attestation System (NEATS) at doc.nepalconsular.gov.np. The fee is Rs 500 per document.

The key rule: the Department of Consular Services is the last stop. The issuing office or a designated central body must verify the document first:

Other rules from the department’s FAQ:

• Originals only, on official letterhead. Only citizenship and passport copies can be attested as copies.
• No notarised documents. The FAQ says documents notarised by a notary public are not attested. Only attestation by a government office or diplomatic mission counts.
• Service time: about 30 to 40 minutes after payment for in-person service.
• Who can apply: the applicant in person, or a close relative with an authorisation letter and both citizenship copies.
• A declaration that the information is true, signed by you, is part of the application.

Is Nepal part of the Apostille Convention?

No. Nepal does not appear in the HCCH Apostille Convention status table. The USA, UK, Australia and Canada are all parties; Canada joined from 11 January 2024. Because Nepal is not a party, a Nepali document cannot get an apostille. Where legalisation is required, it goes through the Department of Consular Services and, if asked, the destination country’s embassy. Be wary of anyone offering to “apostille” a Nepali document.

Certified translation rules by destination

Canada (IRCC)

IRCC’s study permit guide has the strictest rules:

• Any document not in English or French must come with an English or French translation.
• The translator can be a Canadian certified translator, or a person fluent in both languages.
• If the translator is not certified in Canada, they must swear an affidavit about their language ability and the accuracy of the translation. Outside Canada, this is sworn before a notary public.
• Translations must not be done by you or your family members (parents, siblings, spouse, children, cousins and others listed by IRCC).
• Certified true copies must be certified by an authorised person, such as a notary public outside Canada, and not by you or a relative.

So for Canada, a Nepali student typically needs a translation plus the translator’s notarised affidavit. A notary stamp on its own is not enough.

UK (Home Office)

The Home Office Student caseworker guidance says documents not in English or Welsh need a fully certified translation from a professional translator or translation company. It must include:

• confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the document
• the date of the translation
• the full name and signature of the translator or an official of the translation company
• the translator’s or company’s contact details

Australia (Home Affairs)

Home Affairs says to have all non-English documents translated into English. If the translation is done in Australia, include the translator’s NAATI practitioner number. If it is done outside Australia, include the translator’s full name, address, phone number and qualifications in the language they are translating from.

USA

For anything sent to USCIS (for example OPT later on), federal rules (8 CFR 103.2(b)(3)) say a foreign-language document needs a full English translation that the translator certifies as complete and accurate, with a statement that they are competent to translate. For your F-1 interview, documents are generally in English already. For credential evaluation, follow your evaluator’s own rules; see our WES evaluation guide for Nepali transcripts.

Step by step: preparing documents for a visa

1. List every document on your visa checklist and mark which ones are not in English.
2. Check the destination’s rule (above) for who can translate and what the translation must show.
3. Get the translation done by an independent translator, never by yourself or a relative if you are applying to Canada.
4. Add a notarised affidavit only if the destination asks for one (Canada, if the translator isn’t certified in Canada).
5. Get attestation only if the country, university or employer has asked for it in writing. Verify at the issuing body first, then apply on NEATS.
6. Scan everything in colour, original and translation together, in the order the checklist asks.

Nepal-specific tips

• Sponsor and property papers are the documents most often in Nepali. Our guides on sponsor documents and property valuation and income source explain what to prepare.
• Bank documents needing attestation are first verified by Nepal Rastra Bank, according to the Department of Consular Services. This is rarely needed for student visas.
• Name differences across documents need a DAO-issued name-difference certificate, which can then be attested.
• Hours change by season. The department lists different office hours for winter and summer, and service stops during Dashain holidays. Check before you go.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Paying for MoFA attestation of every document when the visa checklist never asked for it.
• Taking a notarised copy to the Department of Consular Services. It won’t be attested.
• Translating your own documents, or letting a brother or cousin do it, for a Canada application.
• Submitting a translation without the translator’s name, date, signature and contact details for the UK or Australia.
• Paying anyone for an “apostille” on a Nepali document. Nepal isn’t a party to the convention.

What to do next

Start with your passport and police report: see our Nepal e-passport guide and Nepal police clearance online guide. Then check your destination’s full checklist, for example in our Canada study permit step-by-step guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much is MoFA attestation fee in Nepal?
The Department of Consular Services lists Rs 500 per document. Apply online through NEATS at doc.nepalconsular.gov.np after the issuing office has verified the document.

Can MoFA attest a notarised document?
No. The Department of Consular Services FAQ says documents notarised by a notary public are not attested. Get the original verified by the issuing office instead.

Does Nepal issue apostilles?
No. Nepal is not listed in the Hague Apostille Convention status table, so legalisation goes through the Department of Consular Services and, if required, the destination country’s embassy.

Can I translate my own documents for a Canada study permit?
No. IRCC says translations must not be done by applicants or their family members. If the translator isn’t certified in Canada, they must also provide an affidavit sworn before a notary public.

What must a certified translation include for a UK student visa?
Confirmation it is accurate, the date, the translator’s full name and signature, and their contact details, from a professional translator or translation company.

Related guides

• Nepal Police clearance certificate online: how to apply
• TIA departure checklist for Nepali students leaving Nepal
• Nepal e-passport for students: fees, documents and timelines
• Sponsor Documents for Study Abroad from Nepal: 2026 Checklist
• How to Explain a Study Gap for a Student Visa (Nepal Guide)

Sources

• Consular attestation: documents, verifying bodies and fee – Department of Consular Services, Nepal
• Attestation FAQs – Department of Consular Services
• NEATS online attestation notice – Department of Consular Services
• Apostille Convention status table – HCCH
• Notary Public Act, 2063 – Nepal Law Commission
• Guide 5269, translation and certified copies – IRCC
• Student and Child Student caseworker guidance – GOV.UK
• Check twice, submit once (translations) – Australian Department of Home Affairs
• 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), translations – eCFR
• Nepal civil documents – US Department of State

Last checked: 19 October 2026. This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.