Dubai: If you possess a certificate or licence that was issued abroad, hurry and get it attested. Otherwise, it may not be officially or legally recognised in the UAE.Similarly, if you possess a UAE-issued certificate or licence, it may require attestation before it can be used abroad.Here’s everything you need to know about document attestation and why it’s important to get it done.What is document attestation?Document attestation is the official process of verifying the authenticity of a signature, seal or stamp on a document. It proves to the authorities that the document is genuine, and legally valid for use.The attestation is usually managed by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).Imran Khan, legal consultant at I K Lawyers in Dubai, explained: “Attestation is a legal requirement, not a formality. Authorities rely on attestation to confirm the document is genuine, issued by a real authority, and not forged, and many organisations or departments can legally refuse unattested foreign documents.”However, all official documents do not need to undergo the attestation process. Khan clarified: “Some originals, like passports or UAE-issued documents [being used within the country] are not required to be attested. If the document is issued by a foreign authority and you are submitting it to a UAE authority, that is when attestation is required.”Why do I need to have my documents attested?In the UAE, attested documents are commonly required for work permits, visa applications, family visa sponsorships, and other official processes. Not having the proper, attested documents can adversely impact your business, legal, banking, and personal spheres of life.Khan shared the following reasons why attestation is required for legal purposes:Authenticity: It confirms the document is real, not forged.Jurisdictional validity: It confirms it was issued by the correct authority in the issuing country.Cross border acceptance: UAE authorities only accept foreign documents that have passed through the proper chain:Home country notarisationHome country Ministry of Foreign AffairsUAE Embassy in the home countryUAE Ministry of Foreign AffairsHe said: “Some court documents may also need Arabic legal translation and Ministry of Justice attestation. Without this chain, the UAE cannot rely on the document.”Similarly, you can also attest UAE-issued documents, if you are planning to use them outside the country. Which types of documents need to be attested?According to Khan, any foreign document intended for official use must be attested “up to the MOFA level. Some court documents may also be required to have an Arabic legal translation.”Foreign documents that require attestation include:Educational certificates, like degrees and diplomas.Personal certificates, like birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates.Police clearance certificates.Legal contracts, such as Power of Attorney (POA) authorisation.Trade licences and business contracts, including corporate agreements, and memorandum of association.Commercial invoices and certificates of origin for customs clearance and trade.What kind of attestation services does the Ministry provide?The MOFA offers attestation for both documents issued within the UAE and outside its borders.If you would like to get a UAE-issued document attested, you have the option of digital attestation and courier-based attestation. However, for foreign documents, only courier-based attestation is available.Learn more about each kind of attestation service, according to MOFA’s website:Digital attestation: Digital Attestation is an electronic service provided by the MOFA for UAE-issued digital documents intended for use outside the UAE. Applicants can submit their applications digitally, and once the service has been completed, they can download the digitally attested document through the Ministry's website.The digital attestation track is only used for eligible digital documents, which can be verified electronically and processed entirely online. It is limited to supported digital document types, issued by approved UAE government entities. Whereas, courier-based attestation is used for documents that do not meet the requirements for digital attestation. Note that you cannot choose to have a certificate or document digitally attested – it is a decision made by MOFA. When applying for the service, the Ministry's website automatically determines the appropriate attestation method, based on the information provided by the applicant.Courier-based attestation: This option is available for all foreign documents that require attestation for use in the UAE. The MOFA requires you to submit the original physical document through your preferred courier service, and once accredited, the document is returned to you in the same manner. Digital attestation is not currently available for foreign-issued document attestations.Documents requiredBefore MOFA attestation, your document must already be approved by the following authorities:The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the country that issued the original document, or an approved governing body recognised by the UAE embassy or consulate in that country.The UAE embassy or consulate in the country of issuance.You will be asked to confirm ‘Yes’ to both options, so that you can proceed with the application on MOFA’s website.Here are other document specifications and conditions, outlined by MOFA:For digital attestation:An original digital document issued in the UAE that includes a digital verification feature, such as a QR code, reference number, or barcode, and falls within the document types currently supported by the service.For attestation through an approved courier service provider:The original document in Arabic or English, or accompanied by a legally certified translation.The original document must be certified or attested by the relevant competent authorities, where applicable.The document must not be laminated. How to apply for MOFA attestationYou can apply for two kinds of services – for documents issued within the UAE, and for documents issued outside the UAE.Read on to understand the step-by-step process for each service.Attestation for documents issued in the UAEVisit MOFA’s website, mofa.gov.ae. Sign in using your UAE PASS.Select ‘Services’ and click on ‘Attestation Services in the UAE’.Confirm that the document was issued in the UAE.Select the issuing authority and document type. The MOFA website will determine the appropriate attestation route, based on the information you provide.Next, complete the application according to the assigned attestation route:For digital attestation:Select the destination country where the document will be used, then upload the original digital document, issued by the competent authority.Confirm the declaration and pay the fees. Submit the application.You will receive the digitally attested document by email, or through the ‘My Requests’ tab on the Ministry’s website.For courier-based attestation:Enter the required contact and delivery details, including the document owner's name, mobile number, and email address.Select an approved courier service provider and your preferred collection and delivery schedule.Confirm the declaration, complete the payment, and submit the application.The selected courier service provider will contact you to deliver the attested document to MOFA. Once attested, the document will be returned to you by the courier, and you will receive notifications by SMS that will help you track the document. Attestation for documents issued outside the UAEVisit MOFA’s website, mofa.gov.ae, and sign in with your UAE PASS to apply for the service.Select ‘Services’ and click on ‘Attestation through UAE Missions Abroad’, then complete the required information, including your full name, email address, and mobile number.Select your preferred courier delivery provider, and the type of delivery (regular or express), and input your delivery address. You must also select the collection date and time for courier pick-up.Pay the applicable fees using the available payment methods.You will receive a confirmation message containing your application reference number.On the collection date, hand over your original document to the courier, who will deliver it to MOFA for attestation.What is the cost for attestation, and the processing time?The attestation process takes up to three working days. If you need to check on the status of your application, make any changes or raise an enquiry, you can contact MOFA’s customer support number on 800 44444.Here is a breakdown of the cost of the attestation process, according to MOFA’s website:Attestation for individual documents: Dh150Courier delivery costs: Ranging from Dh31 to Dh105, based on whether you require regular or express delivery
