However, when it comes to attesting documents of family members, there are certain restrictions and guidelines that need to be followed. In general, a gazetted officer can attest documents of family members, but there are some exceptions and considerations to keep in mind.
In 2019, a Tehsildar in Uttar Pradesh attested an income certificate for his own wife. When the certificate was used for a government scheme, a complaint led to the Tehsildar’s suspension. The wife’s application was canceled. The High Court upheld the action, stating: “A public servant cannot be a judge in his own cause.” However, when it comes to attesting documents of
For very low-stakes documents (e.g., a photocopy of a gas bill for internal office records), a family member’s attestation might be accepted—but it’s still better to avoid. When the certificate was used for a government