Document Attestation Services for the UAE
Prepare UK and international documents for use in the United Arab Emirates. The correct attestation route depends on where the document was issued, what it is and who will accept it. If your documents were issued in Spain, see our Spain-to-UAE attestation guide for the Spanish legalisation and Madrid embassy stages.
We can help assess the document, required legalisation steps and any certified translation needs. Official authentication is carried out by the relevant government authorities, embassies and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), not by a commercial translation provider. For a plain-English definition and the difference between attestation, notarisation and an apostille, read what is document attestation?
Tell us the issuing country, document type and intended UAE recipient. Do not send original certificates until the required route and transfer arrangements are agreed.
Document-specific review · Government process
Avoid the wrong legalisation route
UAE document attestation starts with the issuing country
Do not assume every document can be attested through the same courier or digital application. The relevant authority decides which route applies.
Foreign certificates for use in the UAE
Depending on the issuing country and recipient, documents may need local certification, legalisation by the issuing country's competent authority and UAE embassy or consulate attestation before the applicable UAE MoFA step.
UAE MoFA attestation requirementsUK legalisation and embassy checks
A UK document may need an FCDO apostille and subsequent UAE attestation. Confirm whether it requires the original, a solicitor/notary-certified copy and a paper apostille. Not all documents are eligible for an e-Apostille.
Official UK FCDO guidanceMoFa digital or courier-based service
For eligible original UAE-issued digital documents intended for use abroad, MoFA may offer Digital Attestation; other documents require a different process. MoFA determines eligibility through its own application, not the customer or adviser.
UAE MoFA attestation serviceWhich documents may need attestation?
UAE employers, universities, professional bodies, banks, courts and government departments can ask for different documents. Verify the exact certification requirements with the receiving body before submitting originals.
Birth & marriage certificates
Personal status records for family matters, residency or official registration, subject to issuing-country and UAE requirements.
Degrees & academic records
Diplomas, transcripts, enrolment or qualification certificates may be treated as separate documents for official attestation.
Police & medical certificates
Clearance certificates, medical reports and similar records where a recipient requires a formally authenticated original.
Powers of attorney & legal papers
Notarised documents, court-issued certificates, contracts and authorisations, sometimes with extra notarial or ministry stages.
Company & commercial records
Company registration documents, board decisions, trade licences and corporate agreements. Invoices and certificates of origin may use the separate MoFA eDAS system.
Certificates needing translation
Documents not in Arabic or English may need a legally accepted translation, depending on the relevant attestation route and UAE recipient.
For a UK-issued document, start with our UK-to-UAE attestation guide
MoFA attestation, digital eligibility and originals
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation verifies the authenticity of the relevant seal or signature. It does not certify that every statement in a document is correct or guarantee acceptance by an employer or regulator.
MoFA's current Digital Attestation pathway is for supported original digital documents issued by approved UAE authorities for use abroad. A scanned paper document does not qualify as an original digital file. For other eligible papers, an approved courier pathway may apply.
For physical attestation, the document generally needs the required prior certification and must not be laminated. Depending on the route, it must be in Arabic or English or supported by an accepted certified translation. The application determines what is required and shows the official fee.
Check these details
- Confirm the issuing country and exact document type.
- Check the intended UAE recipient's legalisation and translation instructions.
- Determine original versus certified copy and any notarial certification.
- Check issuing-country foreign ministry/FCDO, UAE embassy and MoFA stages.
- Confirm whether physical collection, digital original or other handling is permitted.
What UK document holders should check
UK legalisation is not the same thing as a UAE MoFA attestation or a certified translation. The precise combination depends on the document and who will receive it.
UK issuing authority
Confirm whether the certificate is a GRO record, educational qualification, Companies House record, court paper or another category.
FCDO legalisation
Check the original/certified-copy requirements and whether a paper apostille is necessary. Some records are not eligible for e-Apostilles.
UAE mission requirements
Follow the UAE Embassy in London or applicable UAE mission's current document-specific attestation instructions.
Use within the UAE
Ask the recipient whether a further MoFA step, Arabic translation or additional certification is required after arrival.
Translation requirements
Arrange certification only in the form the receiving authority accepts. A translation stamp alone is not a substitute for legalisation.
Handling and timing
Allow for issuing-body verification, any notary work, government review, collection and return delivery. Official fees and service times can change.
Three steps to plan your attestation
Tell us what you have
Provide the issuing country, document type, intended UAE use and whether you hold the original or certified copy. Do not send sensitive originals at the enquiry stage.
Confirm the official route
Review required notarisation, issuing-country apostille or ministry stage, UAE mission process, MoFA requirements and any translation specification.
Agree handling and costs
Discuss feasible support, original-document handling, expected authority fees, courier options and relevant deadlines before proceeding.
UAE document attestation FAQs
Practical answers about foreign-issued documents, UK apostilles, UAE missions, translations and digital attestation.
What is document attestation for the UAE?
Attestation confirms the authenticity of the relevant seal or signature on a document so it can be submitted for an intended purpose. It is not a guarantee the UAE receiving organisation will accept the contents or that every further step has been completed.
Do all UK certificates need an apostille for use in the UAE?
The route depends on the document and receiving body. Many UK public documents require FCDO legalisation, often followed by the relevant UAE mission process. Check the FCDO and UAE embassy's current instructions before requesting a paper or e-Apostille.
Does a UK apostille replace UAE embassy or MoFA attestation?
Not necessarily. A UK apostille authenticates the qualifying signature or seal for the FCDO process. UAE embassy and MoFA stages may still be required for the receiving authority's purpose; confirm the full chain for your document.
Can I use digital UAE MoFA attestation for foreign certificates?
MoFA's current original-digital-document pathway is limited to supported documents issued electronically by approved UAE authorities and intended for use abroad. A scanned foreign certificate is not eligible for that UAE-issued digital pathway. Foreign documents use the applicable attestation application and procedure.
Do documents need translation into Arabic?
That depends on the authority and intended use. For relevant MoFA processes, documents must be in Arabic or English or accompanied by an accepted legal translation where required. Other UAE receiving bodies may request an Arabic legal translation even after attestation.
Can you attest degree, marriage and company records?
These categories may require official authentication, but the authorities and stages vary. Academic certificates and transcripts may be treated as separate documents; companies may have extra commercial formalities. We can assess the applicable route, but approval is decided by the relevant authorities.
Can a photocopy or laminated certificate be attested?
MoFA says original documents and any required prior attestations are important; laminated certificates are not accepted for its normal physical attestation process. Certified copies are possible only where the relevant authority accepts them. Check before applying or posting originals.
How much does attestation cost and how long does it take?
Fees and processing times depend on the number and type of documents, issuing country, government and embassy stages, digital eligibility, courier arrangements and translation needs. MoFA shows official charges in the current application; we can discuss any separate support charge after reviewing the route. No blanket processing time is promised.
Attestation guides by country
Issuing authorities and UAE missions vary by country. Review the guide closest to where your document was created.
UK documents for UAE
FCDO legalisation, UAE mission requirements and the correct route for UK certificates.
Read the UK guideFrench and Italian records
Different local authorities and certification chains apply to French-issued and Italian-issued documents.
France-to-UAE guidanceCertificate attestation in Dubai
See the wider UAE attestation service and document-specific help for users in Dubai and other emirates.
Explore the Dubai serviceStart your document attestation enquiry
Tell us the issuing country, document type, UAE destination, original/copy status and deadline. We'll identify which official stages need checking before any document handling is agreed.
Request a UAE attestation review
Describe the issuing country, document type, intended UAE recipient, originals or certified copies, any existing apostille or embassy stamp, and required date. Please do not send originals until an appropriate process is confirmed.