Oct 13, 2025

In the UAE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation is one of the most important steps for validating your personal, educational, or commercial documents. Without MOFA attestation, your papers will not be accepted for official use by UAE authorities or foreign embassies.

However, many people face delays and rejections because their documents are not properly prepared before submitting them to MOFA. To save time, money, and effort, it is essential to understand the requirements and prepare your documents correctly.

Why MOFA Attestation is Important

MOFA attestation ensures that your documents are recognized as authentic and valid by the UAE government and foreign embassies. It is a mandatory step for:

  • Employment visas – validating educational certificates and work experience
  • Family visas – attesting birth and marriage certificates
  • Business setup – attesting trade licenses, contracts, and powers of attorney
  • Higher studies – verifying academic transcripts and certificates
  • Immigration or foreign use – when documents need embassy attestation after MOFA

Checklist Before Submitting Documents for MOFA Attestation

1. Verify Document Issuance

Ensure the document is issued by an authorized authority (e.g., Ministry of Education for degrees, Municipality for marriage/birth certificates, Chamber of Commerce for commercial papers). MOFA does not accept documents from unverified sources.

2. Complete Notary & Local Attestation

If the document was issued in the UAE, it often needs initial attestation from:

  • Notary Public
  • Relevant ministry (e.g., Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Education, Chamber of Commerce)

Only after this step can MOFA stamp your document.

3. Embassy or Consulate Attestation (For Foreign Documents)

If your document was issued outside the UAE (e.g., degree from India, marriage certificate from UK, commercial paper from Russia), it must first be attested by:

  • The issuing country’s authorities
  • UAE Embassy / Consulate in that country

Afterward, it can be submitted for MOFA attestation in the UAE.

4. Translation (If Needed)

MOFA requires documents to be in Arabic or English. If your document is in another language, get it legally translated and stamped by a certified translator before submission.

5. Check the Validity and Condition

  • Ensure documents are original (not photocopies)
  • Remove any damage, torn edges, or missing seals
  • Ensure the issuing authority’s stamp and signature are clear and valid

6. Payment & Appointment

MOFA attestation in the UAE requires an online payment for each document. Depending on the emirate, you may need to book an appointment in advance.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting documents without local or embassy attestation
  • Ignoring translation requirements
  • Submitting photocopies instead of originals
  • Skipping the appointment process and facing rejection at the counter

Why Use Professional Attestation Services?

While it’s possible to handle MOFA attestation on your own, the process can be time-consuming and confusing. Professional attestation companies like Quick Attestation help you by:

  • Checking your documents in advance
  • Handling translation, notary, embassy, and MOFA attestation in one package
  • Saving time with fast-track attestation services
  • Preventing rejection by ensuring compliance with all requirements

Conclusion

Before submitting documents for MOFA attestation, always ensure they are properly attested by the relevant local or foreign authorities, translated if necessary, and verified for authenticity. By preparing correctly, you can avoid rejection and delays.

For fast and reliable MOFA attestation services in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across the UAE, contact Quick Attestation and get your documents processed without stress.