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.
- Personal documents — birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates
- Educational documents — degrees, diplomas, transcripts and school certificates
- Commercial documents — trade licences, MOA, board resolutions, invoices and certificates of origin
- Legal documents — powers of attorney, affidavits, declarations and court papers
- Foreign documents for the UAE — issuing-country steps, UAE embassy, then MOFA (an apostille alone is not accepted)
Documents we attest
Personal, academic and corporate paperwork is attested daily for visas, schools, banks, tenders and immigration files:
- Passport copy attestation
- Emirates ID and proof of address attestation
- Degree and diploma certificate attestation
- Academic transcript attestation
- Salary certificate attestation
- Bank statement attestation
- Driving licence attestation
- Immigration and visa document attestation
- Commercial contract attestation
- Electronic signature attestation
Certified true copies
A certified true copy is a copy stamped by a notary confirming it matches the original. Banks, courts, universities and government departments ask for it when they cannot keep your original document.
Bring or send the original, and we issue as many certified copies as you need, usually the same day.
Using a UAE document abroad — and a foreign document in the UAE
For a UAE document to be used in another country, the route may include notary or Ministry of Justice attestation where required, Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation and the destination country's embassy. The UAE does not issue apostilles.
For a foreign document to be used in the UAE, it is attested in the country of origin, then at the UAE embassy there, then at MOFA in the UAE, with a legal Arabic translation. We review your document first and tell you the exact chain, so nothing is rejected halfway.
Timing
Certified copies and notary attestation are usually completed the same day. Government and embassy steps depend on the authority's own processing time; we confirm a realistic timeline before you commit and keep you updated at each stage.
The attestation chain: Notary, MOJ, MOFA and embassy
The chain depends on the document and destination: notary attestation where required, then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the destination country's embassy where applicable. Foreign documents used in the UAE generally need issuing-country and UAE embassy attestation before MOFA stamping in the UAE; an apostille alone is not a substitute.
We handle educational certificates, personal documents such as birth, marriage and death certificates, and commercial documents
Attesting a foreign document for use in the UAE (from outside the country)
Step by step, for documents issued abroad — degrees, birth and marriage certificates, police certificates, powers of attorney and company papers:
- 1. Notarization or certification by the competent authority in the issuing country, where required
- 2. Attestation by that country's foreign ministry, where required
- 3. Attestation by the UAE embassy or consulate in the issuing country
- 4. Final attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) inside the UAE
- 5. Legal Arabic translation if the receiving UAE authority requires it
Attesting a UAE document for use abroad (from inside the country)
For UAE-issued documents and documents notarized in Dubai that will be used in another country:
- 1. Notarization by a Dubai notary, or attestation by the issuing UAE authority
- 2. Attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
- 3. Attestation by the destination country's embassy in the UAE, where it requires it
- No apostille is issued in the UAE — the destination country's rules decide the final step
No Emirates ID? Attestation with a valid passport
Visitors, non-residents and clients whose Emirates ID has expired can be served with a valid passport for eligible transactions. Overseas investors, owners and shareholders can start remotely by sending a scan on WhatsApp.
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
MOFA (UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs) attestation is the final stamp that makes a document valid for official use. Foreign documents need issuing-country and UAE embassy attestation first; UAE documents may need notary or MOJ attestation before MOFA. We prepare the file and guide each step.
Commonly degree certificates for work visas, marriage and birth certificates for family visas, and commercial documents such as trade licences, invoices and powers of attorney used with UAE or foreign authorities.
Notary attestation confirms signatures or copies; MOFA attestation confirms the document for official use in or outside the UAE. Many documents need both, in order.
Only the final UAE MOFA step. The certificate must first be attested in the issuing country and by the UAE embassy there. We guide the full chain.
It is official confirmation that a document, signature or copy is genuine, given by a notary or ministry so another authority will accept it.
Yes — degrees, diplomas and transcripts, including guidance on the embassy and MOFA steps needed for a UAE work permit or a foreign application.
It depends on the document type, the number of copies, translation and which ministries are involved. We confirm the full amount in advance.
Yes, in many cases. Send the scan first; we confirm what must be couriered and what can be handled remotely.
It is usually attested in the issuing country, then by the UAE embassy or consulate there, then by MOFA in the UAE, with a legal Arabic translation where required. We review a scan first and confirm the exact chain.
It is notarized or attested by the issuing UAE authority where required, then attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then by the destination country's embassy in the UAE if it requires it.
Usually not on its own. The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so foreign documents normally still need UAE embassy and MOFA attestation.
Yes, for eligible transactions a valid passport is accepted. This helps visitors, non-residents and anyone whose Emirates ID has expired.
If the document is not in Arabic and is going to a UAE authority, a legal translation is usually required. We arrange it.