- Monday to Saturday, 9:00 to 18:00 GST
- Business Bay, Dubai, UAE
Document attestation services in the UAE
Degrees, marriage and birth certificates, company documents and powers of attorney attested in the right order, so UAE authorities, employers and banks accept them the first time.
Response within 15 minutes during working hours
What document attestation is
A chain of official stamps that proves your document is genuine
A document issued in another country isn't accepted in the UAE just as it is. It has to be attested first. That means a series of official stamps, each one confirming the stamp before it, until the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) adds the final one.
You'll need attestation for a family visa, a Golden Visa, a job that asks for your degree, setting up a company with a foreign parent company, or using a power of attorney signed abroad. It works the other way too. UAE documents used in another country need attesting for that country.
We tell you which chain your document needs, handle each stage in the UAE and abroad, and add a certified Arabic translation if the authority asks for one.
Send us a photo first. If a document has already been stamped in the wrong order, the chain often has to start again. We check what you already have before anything is submitted.
The attestation chain for foreign documents
Four stages, always in this order
| Stage | Where | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Notary or issuing body | Home country | The document is verified by a notary or the body that issued it, such as the university or education ministry. |
| 2. Foreign ministry | Home country | The home country's foreign ministry confirms the first stamp. |
| 3. UAE embassy | Home country | The UAE embassy or consulate in that country adds its stamp. |
| 4. MOFA UAE | UAE | The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs adds the final stamp. The document can now be used in the UAE. See MOFA attestation. |
The exact chain can differ slightly by country and document type. We confirm the route for your document before we start.
Documents we attest
Personal, education and company documents
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Education | Degrees, diplomas and transcripts. See certificate attestation. |
| Personal | Marriage certificates, birth certificates and other civil records. |
| Company | Certificate of incorporation, memorandum of association, board resolutions and commercial invoices. |
| Legal | Powers of attorney and agreements. See power of attorney services. |
What you need to provide
Originals, not copies, for most stages
| For | What we need |
|---|---|
| Every document | The original document, a copy of the holder's passport and the Emirates ID copy if you live in the UAE. |
| Degrees | The original degree and the transcript or mark sheets. |
| Marriage and birth certificates | The original certificate, and the passports of the people named on it. |
| Company documents | The original documents and a copy of the trade license where the UAE company is involved. |
| Part-attested documents | Clear photos of every stamp already on the document. |
We send you the exact list for your document and country before any fee is paid.
How our attestation service works
We handle every stage and keep you updated
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Check | You send a photo of the document. We confirm the chain, the time and the total cost in writing. |
| 2. Collect | We receive the original document from you. |
| 3. Attest | Each stage is completed in order, in the home country and in the UAE. |
| 4. Translate | A certified Arabic translation is added if the authority needs it. |
| 5. Return | You receive the fully attested document, ready to use. |
Most documents take 7 to 21 working days, depending on the country that issued them. The cost depends on the document and the country. We confirm the total in writing, with our service fee included, before we start. For government paperwork beyond attestation, see our document clearing service.
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers on document attestation for the UAE.
Why do I need to attest my documents?
UAE authorities only accept a foreign document once it has been attested. You'll need it for family visas, the Golden Visa, many jobs and company setup with a foreign parent company.
How long does attestation take?
Usually 7 to 21 working days, depending on the country that issued the document. If you'll need it for a visa, start the attestation early, because it often takes longer than the visa itself.
Do I need to send the original document?
Yes, for most stages. Copies aren't accepted. Send us a photo first so we can confirm the chain before you hand over the original.
My document already has some stamps. Can you finish it?
Often, yes. Send us clear photos of every stamp. If the order is right, we continue from where it stopped. If a stage was done in the wrong order, we'll tell you what needs redoing before you pay.
Do I also need a translation?
Some UAE authorities ask for a certified Arabic translation, for example for courts or some ministry files. We tell you if yours does and arrange it with the attestation.
Send us a photo of your document
Tell us where it was issued and what you'll use it for. We'll confirm the chain, the time and the total cost in writing.
No spam. No follow up calls unless you ask. We are open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.
