If you are relocating to the United Arab Emirates for employment, business setup, immigration, education, or personal matters, your legal documents must be attested to be recognized by UAE authorities. This ensures their authenticity and legal validity within the UAE.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- ✅ What attestation is
- 📑 Types of legal documents that need attestation
- 📌 Why attestation is necessary
- 🧾 Step-by-step UAE attestation process
- 💼 Where and how to get attestation services
✅ What Is Attestation of Legal Documents?
Attestation is the process of verifying the authenticity of a document by a series of official authorities. For foreign-issued documents to be valid in the UAE, they must be:
- Authenticated by authorities in the country of origin
- Attested by the UAE Embassy in that country
- Finally attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
📑 Types of Legal Documents That Require Attestation
🎓 Educational Documents:
- Degree certificates
- Diplomas
- School leaving certificates
- Transcripts / mark sheets
🧾 Personal Documents:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce certificates
- Death certificates
- Adoption papers
- Police Clearance Certificates (PCC)
🏢 Commercial/Corporate Documents:
- Power of Attorney
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Articles of Incorporation
- Company registration certificates
- Business contracts
- Export documents
- Board resolutions
📌 Why Is Attestation Important in the UAE?
The UAE government requires document attestation for various legal and administrative procedures:
- Employment visa processing
- University admissions and equivalency certificates
- Marriage registration or family sponsorship
- Business license application
- Immigration and residency purposes
- Property transactions and legal claims
Without attestation, your foreign documents will not be accepted by UAE courts, ministries, or private entities.
🧭 Step-by-Step Process of Document Attestation for UAE
The process may vary slightly depending on the issuing country, but generally follows these steps:
1. Notary Attestation (Home Country)
The first level of verification by a public notary to confirm the document is genuine.
2. State/Regional Attestation (If Applicable)
Some countries require attestation by state or regional departments before national attestation.
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Home Country)
Attestation by the issuing country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. UAE Embassy Attestation
The UAE Embassy or Consulate in the issuing country verifies and stamps the document.
5. MOFA Attestation in the UAE
Final attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, making the document legally recognized.
🌐 Example: Attestation Process for Indian Documents (as a case study)
- Notary + SDM/HRD attestation (India)
- MEA Attestation (Ministry of External Affairs, India)
- UAE Embassy Attestation in New Delhi or Mumbai
- MOFA Attestation in UAE
⏱️ Time Required for Attestation
| Service Type | Estimated Duration |
|---|---|
| Standard | 7–15 working days |
| Express | 3–5 working days |
| MOFA Only | Within 24 hours |
Note: Timelines vary by country and document type.
💼 Documents Required for Attestation
To begin the attestation process, you’ll typically need:
- Original document(s)
- Passport copy of the document holder
- UAE visa or Emirates ID (if available)
- Authorization letter (if applying through an agent)
💰 Cost of Legal Document Attestation
Attestation fees depend on:
- Type of document (personal, educational, or commercial)
- Country of origin
- Number of documents
- Service speed (standard or express)
Tip: Many agencies offer bundle packages and free pickup/delivery services within the UAE.
🏆 Why Choose Professional Attestation Services?
Doing the process on your own can be time-consuming and complicated. A trusted service provider like Quick Attestation offers:
- ✅ Door-to-door service in UAE
- ✅ Support for over 100+ countries
- ✅ Certified translation services
- ✅ Embassy + MOFA coordination
- ✅ Real-time tracking & updates
- ✅ Transparent pricing with no hidden fees
📞 Get Your Documents Attested Today!
Need fast and reliable document attestation in the UAE? Let professionals handle the paperwork while you focus on what matters.
📍 Office: Dubai, UAE
📧 Email: info@quickattestation.ae
📱 Call/WhatsApp: +971-XXX-XXXX
🌐 Website: www.quickattestation.ae
