Employees and professionals
Degree certificates, diplomas and transcripts attested for employment visas, professional licensing and Golden Visa applications.
See common documents
Overview
What are attestation and notary services
Attestation is the process of officially verifying the authenticity of a document so it is accepted by UAE authorities, banks, courts, and other institutions.
The process typically involves a chain of verifications - starting in the country where the document was issued and ending with UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation.
Notary services in the UAE cover the official witnessing and certification of documents by a notary public - including powers of attorney, declarations, corporate documents, and contracts.
For many UAE processes - visa applications, company formation, banking, legal proceedings - attested or notarised documents are a mandatory requirement.
- Powers of attorney - notarised through UAE courts or authorized notary offices
- Declarations and legal statements
- Corporate documents and board resolutions
- Contracts and commercial papers
How the attestation chain works
1
Home country authentication
The document is first authenticated in the country where it was issued - typically by the relevant government ministry.
2
UAE embassy attestation in the home country
The authenticated document is then attested by the UAE embassy or consulate in the country of origin.
3
MOFA attestation in the UAE
Finally, the document is attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
For Hague Convention countries
An apostille may replace some or all of the attestation chain steps. Not all UAE processes accept apostilled documents in lieu of the full chain - verify acceptance for your specific use case.
Which route applies
Attestation, apostille or UAE notarisation
The correct route depends on where the document was issued and how it will be used in the UAE.
Start from the document, not the office
Where was the document issued?
Is the country a Hague Convention signatory?
Which institution will receive it?
Is Arabic translation required?
Full attestation chain
- For documents issued outside the UAE
- Home country authentication first
- UAE embassy attestation in the country of origin
- MOFA attestation in the UAE as the final step
Apostille (Hague Convention)
- Simplified certification for documents from Hague Convention signatory countries
- May replace some or all chain steps
- Not all UAE authorities accept apostilled documents - verify with the receiving institution
Notarisation in the UAE
- Official witnessing and certification by a notary public
- Powers of attorney, declarations, corporate documents and contracts
- Handled through UAE courts or authorized notary offices
Documents not in Arabic typically require legal translation in addition to attestation. Both processes must be completed before the document is ready for UAE use.
Who this service is for
Submit Your Request
Who typically needs attestation and notary support
The same document situations come up again and again. Find yours - each maps to the documents and routes covered on this page.
Families sponsoring dependants
Marriage certificates for family visa sponsorship and birth certificates for sponsoring children - attested and translated into Arabic.
See common documentsBusinesses and corporate teams
Trade license copies, MOA, board resolutions and powers of attorney attested for business transactions.
See common documentsAnyone needing UAE notarisation
Powers of attorney, declarations, corporate documents and contracts notarised through UAE courts or authorized notary offices.
See the notarisation route
Common documents
Common documents that need attestation
The documents most often attested for UAE use, and the processes they are usually required for.
Prepare before submitting
- Start well in advance - the multi-step chain involves multiple authorities, each with its own processing time.
- Check document condition - authorities may reject documents that are damaged, unclear, or do not meet formatting requirements.
- Plan Arabic translation alongside attestation where the document is not in Arabic.
- Confirm whether the receiving institution accepts an apostille or requires the full chain.
Educational certificates
Degree certificates, diplomas, and transcripts.
Employment · licensing · Golden Visa
Marriage certificates
Must be attested and translated into Arabic.
Family visa sponsorship
Birth certificates
Must be attested and translated.
Sponsoring children
Commercial documents
Trade license copies, MOA, board resolutions, and powers of attorney.
Business transactions
Powers of attorney
Must be notarised through UAE courts or authorized notary offices.
Notarisation route
How Emirae.Pro works
Submit one attestation requirement and compare relevant providers
Describe the document, issuing country, intended UAE use and deadline once. Relevant independent providers can then assess the same structured requirement.
Define the requirement
Choose the service area and describe the document type, issuing country, intended UAE use and deadline.
Review matching providers
Compare real provider profiles, service scopes, locations, languages and support models.
Receive structured proposals
Relevant providers can clarify chain steps, official fees, third-party costs, professional fees and assumptions.
Select the provider
Review the proposal, provider identity, scope, document-handling method and engagement terms before proceeding.
Emirae.Pro does not select the provider for the user or guarantee acceptance, approval, timing or outcome. Each attestation step remains controlled by the relevant authority.
Indicative pricing
What the total attestation cost is made of
Costs include fees at each step of the chain plus service provider coordination fees. Pricing depends on document type, issuing country, required authorities and scope - request an itemised quote in AED with official and professional fees separated.
One quote, itemised
- 1Official fees at each chain step
- 2Third-party costs (translation, courier)
- 3Provider coordination fee
No binding quote is shown on this page. Fees are set by the relevant authorities and the provider you engage; amounts depend on the specific document and chain.
Official fees - authority charges
Translation where required
Professional fees - provider coordination
Key considerations
What usually complicates attestation
Each point below is a planning consideration, not a deadline or penalty claim. The relevant authority confirms the actual requirement.
1
The attestation chain varies by country of origin
Different countries have different authentication procedures and embassy processing times.
Chain planning
2
Apostille does not always replace full attestation
Not all UAE authorities accept apostilled documents. Verify with the specific institution you are submitting to.
Acceptance check
3
Translation may be required alongside attestation
Documents not in Arabic typically need legal translation in addition to being attested.
Translation
4
Start early
The multi-step chain involves multiple authorities across potentially multiple countries. Each step has its own processing time.
Timing
5
Document quality matters
Authorities may reject documents that are damaged, unclear, or do not meet formatting requirements.
Document condition
Confirm before engaging a provider
- Which chain steps apply to this document and country of origin
- Whether the receiving institution accepts an apostille
- Whether Arabic translation is required, and at which stage
- Which fees are official and which are the provider’s coordination fee
- How original documents are handled, tracked and returned
Compare providers
Service Providers for Attestation and Notary
These verified service providers specialize in document attestation, MOFA processing, embassy legalisation, and notary services.
Directory inclusion does not represent government endorsement or a guarantee that a provider can complete a specific process. Confirm scope, authority requirements and engagement terms directly.
Provider coverage for attestation and notary support is still being expanded
No provider has a verified attestation-specific profile yet. Submit the requirement as a structured request so relevant PRO providers can assess it, or browse the full consultant network.
Official sources
Use official UAE sources for current requirements and fees
Providers can coordinate an agreed task. Requirements, fees, forms and official procedures should be confirmed through current government sources.
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Attestation External · Government
MOFA is the final UAE step of the attestation chain. Use the official MOFA attestation pages for current requirements and fees.
UAE Ministry of Justice External · Government
The Ministry of Justice oversees notary services and certifies legal translators in the UAE.
UAE Government Portal (u.ae) External · Government
Use the official federal portal for current UAE government services and document-related information.
Always confirm the current status and requirements with the relevant authority or a qualified provider. Emirae.Pro and listed providers are not authorities.
Notary and Attestation Support FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Attestation and Notary Services
Still have questions?
Our team can explain how the platform works before you submit a request.
Contact usWhat is document attestation?
Attestation is the process of officially verifying a document's authenticity through a chain of government authorities so it is accepted for use in the UAE.
What is the difference between attestation and apostille?
Attestation is the traditional multi-step chain of government verifications. An apostille is a simplified international certification available for documents from Hague Convention signatory countries.
Which documents need attestation?
Educational certificates, marriage certificates, birth certificates, commercial documents, and powers of attorney are the most commonly attested documents.
How long does attestation take?
Processing times vary by country of origin, document type, and the specific authorities involved. Start well in advance.
How much does attestation cost?
Costs include fees at each step of the chain (home country, embassy, MOFA) plus service provider coordination fees.
Do I need translation alongside attestation?
Documents not in Arabic typically require legal translation in addition to attestation. Both processes must be completed before the document is ready for UAE use.
Notary and Attestation Support
Need document attestation or notary support?
Connect with verified service providers who handle the full attestation chain - from home country authentication through MOFA attestation.
One structured request, compared by relevant providers
Official, third-party and provider fees kept separate
Contact details stay protected
Submitting a request does not guarantee provider availability, government acceptance, approval, timing or price. Emirae.Pro is a marketplace, not a government body. Start with business-level information; do not upload passports, Emirates IDs or confidential records publicly.