Foreign Ministry launches attestation services in Post Offices
He explained that the Foreign Ministry, represented by its Consular Department, by providing services through Oman Post, has taken into account the burden on citizens and residents of visiting the Attestation Office at the Ministry in Muscat or its branches in various governorates.
“Now, all attestation of official documents including certificates can be done through Oman Post,” he said.
The Undersecretary explained that the Ministry aims to provide a rapid high-quality service. He said this will also facilitate procedures to keep pace with changes in the strategic direction of Omani institutions. These changes are set within the framework of the priority now being given to the governance of the state's administrative apparatus and the application of decentralisation.
The provision of document authentication services at Oman Post outlets will offer a fast, quality service through convenient mechanisms that will make it possible to finalise transactions in one location, he added.
The Undersecretary indicated that the services available will include the attestation of educational and medical certificates, certificates of corporate project plans, certificates of use of military equipment, death certificates, contracts and commercial invoices, as well as attesting agencies and civil certificates.
On the possibility of attesting documents related to other government or private agencies, the Undersecretary indicated that the beneficiary can complete consular procedures by ratifying documents related to other government or private agencies and the services of embassies accredited in the Sultanate of Oman. This will save the effort of multiple visits and scheduling multiple appointments. Oman Post offices will provide these services on a paid basis.
The Undersecretary said that the Ministry is also working on providing consular services through an electronic system in the future, to offer high-quality easy-to-use administrative services and so facilitate the completion of the beneficiary's transactions wherever they are.
He stressed that the partnership with Oman Post will be the subject of continuous follow-up and evaluation by the Ministry focussed on the challenges that will naturally arise when the service is activated.
The Undersecretary pointed out that there is also an agreement between the Foreign Ministry and Oman Post to provide a service to the beneficiary in return for a fee in the event that they wish to obtain some additional and qualitative services, such as completing transactions in a “door-to-door” system without the cost of going to Oman Post branches.
These additional services will be at competitive prices and at the choice of the beneficiary at the accredited authorities and embassies in the Sultanate of Oman.
He stressed that the level of fees for attestation of consular services at the Foreign Ministry will remain unchanged.
The Undersecretary added that the Ministry's offices will remain available during a gradual transitional phase for a full year from the start of receiving authentication services in Oman Post branches. This will make it possible to evaluate the experience and review any aspects that may need to be developed or changed. The overall aim is to facilitate transactions for the beneficiary and results will be measured.
The Undersecretary explained that there is another partnership agreement with the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) and that the Ministry will continue to provide certification services to companies and investors within the boundaries of industrial zones in the various states of the Sultanate of Oman to facilitate procedures and support investment in Oman.
The Undersecretary concluded his interview by emphasising that the partnership agreement with Oman Post will contribute to improving and facilitating the provision of certification services. In this way services will be within easy and convenient reach of citizens and beneficiaries without the trouble of frequent visits to multiple parties.
This is an unofficial English translation of the original Arabic text. To view the official Arabic text, click here.