Who Attests Documents in the UAE?
Why is Document Attestation for UAE Necessary?
Having your documents attested is just how the UAE validates the originality of the document. This is why you need MOFA attestation:
- Prevent fraud: Attestation verifies documents and ensures they are genuine and not forged.
- Mandatory for immigration and hiring: You can only submit attested documents to prove your qualifications during the visa process. Employers will also ask for attested educational qualifications during the hiring process.
- Company formation: MOFA document attestation is needed in the UAE to set up a company, open a corporate bank account, and make contracts legally valid.
- Educational enrollment: You’ll need attested academic documents in the UAE to enroll in schools and colleges, or apply for scholarships.
- Family and status: Attested marriage, birth, or divorce certificates help you handle family visas and officially register important life events.
- Legal proceedings: Attested documents are also needed for court cases or property paperwork.
Streamline Your Business Setup Process
How Much Does Document Attestation in UAE Cost?
Attestation fees in the UAE are set by MOFA, and what you pay mainly depends on the type of document you’re attesting. There are two main categories: personal and commercial.
- Personal documents: AED 150 per document
- Commercial documents: AED 2,000 per document
Other related costs include:
- Pre-attestation in your home country (like your Ministry of Foreign Affairs or UAE Embassy)
- Courier fees for pickup and delivery
- Urgent service fees if you want faster processing (usually 100–200 AED)
- Translation fees if your document isn’t in Arabic or English
How to Attest Documents from MOFA?
- Log into the MOFA website: You can sign in through your UAE Pass or create an account manually.
- Submit your application: Select between “Individual” and “Commercial”. Select “Attest Official Document, Certificates.” Fill out your application and upload the documents.
- Pay fees: Once MOFA attests your documents, you will need to pay the service fee.
- Schedule delivery: Choose your preferred courier service and delivery date. The courier will pick up and deliver your document(s) after they have been attested.
What are the Documents Required for MOFA Attestation
If you want to get your documents attested by MOFA, you need to provide the original document and proof that all pre-attestation steps are completed, regardless of the type of document service you request.
This is what you’ll need for personal document attestation for UAE:
Category | Documents |
Personal status | Marriage, birth, divorce, or death certificates, passport copies of relevant parties |
Educational | Degrees, diplomas, transcripts, mark sheets, school certificates, passport copy of applicant |
Legal | Medical reports, police clearance certificates, personal powers of attorney, good conduct certificates, NOC |
This is what you’ll need for commercial document attestation for UAE:
Category | Documents |
Corporate & legal | Trade licenses, MOA, AOA, certificates of incorporation, board resolutions, company registration documents |
Financial & trade | Commercial invoices, certificates of origin, commercial agreements, financial statements, or bank statements, invoices/COO for eDAS) |
Representation documents | Commercial powers of attorney |
Get PRO Services From A&A Associate
A&A Associate is the UAE’s largest business setup advisory. We provide end-to-end company formation support to entrepreneurs, along with handling document attestation. Our expert PRO team can assist you with the attestation process and act as a government liaison on your behalf. Get in touch for a free consultation!
