Quick answer
How do you attest documents for use in the UAE?
A document issued abroad is first certified in the country that issued it, usually by a notary and that country's foreign ministry, then legalised by the UAE embassy or consulate there, and finally attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the UAE. Many documents also need a certified Arabic translation before UAE authorities accept them.
When do you need attestation?
- Employment visas for roles that require a degree
- Family visas: marriage and birth certificates
- Golden Visa applications for professionals and talents
- Company formation with a corporate shareholder
- School admissions, equivalency and professional licensing
How the attestation process works
For a document issued abroad, the usual chain is: notarisation or verification by the issuing authority, attestation by that country's foreign ministry, attestation by the UAE embassy or consulate in that country, and finally attestation by MOFA in the UAE. Documents issued in the UAE generally need notarisation and MOFA attestation only.
Requirements differ by country and document type. We confirm the exact steps for your document before we begin.
What our Document Attestation package includes
- Educational certificate attestation
- Marriage and birth certificate attestation
- Commercial document attestation
- Embassy and consulate attestation
- UAE MOFA attestation
- Certified legal translation into Arabic
Document Attestation process: step by step
- 01
Document review
We confirm the country, document type and required stamps.
- 02
Home country
We arrange notary and foreign ministry attestation.
- 03
UAE embassy
The document is attested by the UAE mission abroad.
- 04
MOFA UAE
Final attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Document Attestation: frequently asked questions
How long does document attestation take?
It depends on the issuing country and the document. UAE-issued documents can be attested within days; documents from abroad can take a few weeks.
Can I get documents attested without travelling?
Usually, yes. In most cases the original document is couriered and processed on your behalf.
Is MOFA attestation done online?
Yes. UAE MOFA attestation is processed through the ministry's digital services. We handle the submission for you.
Do attested documents need translation?
Some authorities require documents in Arabic. We arrange certified legal translation when it is required.
Official sources
Rules, fees and timelines are set by UAE authorities and change from time to time. For the official position, see:
