The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement detailing the procedures for the online authentication of birth, marriage and death certificates.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched online authentication process for birth, marriage and death certificates, in partnership with the Registrar General’s Department at a ceremony held on September 2, 2024 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

With the new online process, Sri Lankan citizens can apply for the authentication of their birth, marriage, and death certificates through the Consular Affairs Division’s online platform. The authenticated certificates will be sent to the applicant via email, eliminating the need for in-person application or collection of the authenticated documents, said Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The event was attended by Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, Foreign Affairs State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, Acting Secretary Foreign Affairs Shanika Dissanayake, Registrar General Samantha Wijayasinghe, Commissioner General of Examinations Amith Jayasundara, Director General of Consular Affairs Sisira Senavirathne, and other senior officials.

In his remarks, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, emphasized the significance of digitizing document authentication services to enhance efficiency and effectiveness for the public. He noted that the Ministry’s journey in online document authentication began with the launch of online verification for GCE O/L and A/L certificates in collaboration with the Department of Examinations, marking a major milestone in the digital transition.

The Minister also highlighted that the introduction of online authentication for birth, marriage, and death certificates issued by the Registrar General’s Department, represents another key advancement in the digitalization process. It was also highlighted that educational certificates and birth, marriage, and death certificates together constitute approximately 55 percent of the documents authenticated daily by the Consular Affairs Division.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the Consular Affairs Division has taken further steps to enhance its online document authentication services by integrating its Electronic Document Authentication System (e-DAS) with other key government authorities and entities, which include local universities, Sri Lanka Medical Council, Sri Lanka Police, the Department of Motor Traffic, TVEC, Department of the Registrar of Companies, British Council, and trade chambers, thereby making document authentication services available to the public effectively.

The procedures for online authentication of birth, marriage, and death certificates are as follows:

• Visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and submit an online application through the portal provided: https://mfa.gov.lk/online-consular-services/
• Once the details are submitted, applicants will receive a link to make the required payments. The fees for certificate generation and authentication should be paid online through this link.
• After completing the transaction, the authenticated document (customer copy) will be emailed to the address provided by the applicant. The customer copy needs to be submitted to the relevant foreign missions as required.