Attestation is the officer’s formal confirmation that a copy of a document is true to the original or that a person’s signature/identity has been verified. For many official procedures (visa, school, court, bank, migration, government applications), attestation by a gazetted officer is accepted as proof of authenticity.
To understand the prohibition, one must first understand the definitions involved:
Before analyzing family attestations, it is essential to understand who qualifies as a Gazetted Officer. According to the Indian government’s classification:
These officers are authorized to attest copies of documents and verify photographs/identities for official purposes like passport applications, bank forms, job applications, and domicile certificates.
If a family member of a Gazetted Officer requires attestation, they should approach another Gazetted Officer who is not related to them.
For example, if a husband is a Gazetted Officer, his wife should get her documents attested by a colleague of her husband or any other government official of appropriate rank who is not a relative.
A Gazetted Officer is a government official whose appointment is published in the Gazette of India or a state government gazette. These officers hold positions of authority and trust, typically in Group A (and some Group B) services. Examples include:
Even if they agree, refuse politely. Explain the ethical and legal risks.
Absolutely not. That is symmetrical conflict of interest. Each should go to a third, unrelated officer.
The Passport Seva guidelines list Gazetted Officers as valid attestors for Annexure ‘H’ (identity certificate) and other forms. However, the instructions clearly state: “The Gazetted Officer should not be a relative of the applicant.” Relative is defined as blood relation or relation by marriage. Hence, a father who is a Gazetted Officer cannot attest his son’s passport form.