Apostille vs UAE attestation by document type
Important: the UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so a foreign apostille on its own is not accepted for use in the UAE. Foreign documents normally still need attestation by the UAE embassy or consulate in the issuing country, then the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, plus a legal Arabic translation where required.
- Foreign documents for use in the UAE — apostille alone not accepted; UAE embassy and MOFA attestation required
- UAE documents for use abroad — the UAE does not issue apostilles; MOFA attestation, then the destination embassy if required
- Documents from an apostille country for another apostille country — apostille issued by the issuing country's competent authority
- Personal, educational and commercial documents — each follows the route of its issuing and destination country
- Always confirm the receiving authority's requirements before you start
What is an apostille and when do you need one?
An apostille is a certificate issued by a designated authority in a country that is party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, for use in another participating country. The UAE is not a party, so it cannot issue an apostille for a UAE-issued document, and an apostille alone is not the usual route for a foreign document destined for the UAE.
The correct route depends on the issuing and destination countries, the document and the receiving authority. Send us the document and destination so the required steps can be checked before proceeding.
Documents that may need international authentication
For UAE-issued documents we check the attestation route; for documents issued in participating countries, an apostille may be available from the issuing country's authority:
- Birth, marriage and divorce certificates
- Degree, diploma and transcript authentication for study abroad
- Power of attorney for use overseas
- Commercial contracts and board resolutions
- Certificates of good conduct and medical reports
- Company incorporation documents and trade licences
Apostille vs. the traditional attestation chain
An apostille applies between participating countries and is issued by the competent authority where the document originates. It does not replace the consular route for a document intended for use in the UAE.
For UAE-issued documents used abroad, the applicable route commonly involves the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the destination country's embassy or consulate. Requirements vary by receiving authority; we check the route and translation needs for your document.
How we handle it
Share a clear scan, the issuing country and the destination. We check the applicable route, help with the UAE notary or attestation step where relevant, and explain which authority must issue an apostille abroad if one is needed. The receiving authority makes the final decision on acceptance.
Services that go with this one
Legal basis for this service
The authorities and rules this service follows — we handle the procedure for you, end to end.
Last reviewed: 22 October 2026. Requirements vary by issuing country, destination country and document type (personal or commercial). The receiving authority makes the final decision on acceptance.
We handle the procedure for you — use the WhatsApp button above or below to start.
Frequently asked questions
The UAE does not issue apostilles itself. UAE documents for use abroad usually need notary or issuing-authority attestation, then UAE MOFA and the destination embassy. If your document was issued in a Hague Convention country, the apostille comes from that country. Send a scan on WhatsApp and we confirm the correct route.
No. The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. UAE-issued documents normally follow the applicable MOFA and consular legalisation route for use overseas.
An apostille alone does not normally replace the attestation steps required for UAE use. The issuing-country and UAE embassy/MOFA route should be checked with the receiving authority.
For a document issued in a Convention country and destined for another Convention country. The designated authority in the issuing country issues it.
It depends on the type of document and the requirements of the issuing country's apostille authority or the receiving authority. We review the case before suggesting a route.
Yes, send a scan and tell us where the document was issued and where it is going. We can explain the applicable route before you send originals.
Our team confirms any applicable charges after reviewing the document and its required steps.