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Document Attestation in the UAE: Corporate and Personal Documents for Use in the UAE and Abroad
Document attestation is the chain of official stamps that makes a document issued in one country valid in another. Foreign documents for UAE use are usually authenticated in the issuing country, legalised by the UAE embassy there and attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. UAE documents for use abroad follow the reverse route. SGA World arranges attestation through its trusted attestation agent.
- Ministry of Economy and Tourism approved auditor
- 500+ clients
- Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Attestation at a glance
- Into the UAE
- Home country, UAE embassy, MOFA
- Out of the UAE
- Notary or issuer, MOFA, foreign embassy
- Apostille
- Not accepted alone in the UAE
- Typical documents
- MOA, board resolutions, POA, accounts
- How
- Arranged through our attestation agent
Opening a branch, appointing a manager, registering a company abroad or tendering for a contract often needs documents that are officially recognised in another country. That recognition comes from attestation: a chain of stamps from the issuing authority, the relevant ministries and the embassy.
SGA World arranges document attestation for clients through our trusted attestation agent, and prepares the documents that most often need it, such as audited financial statements, board resolutions and company certificates, so they are right first time.
- Foreign documents for use in the UAE
- Inbound
- UAE documents for use abroad
- Outbound
- MOA, resolutions, POA, accounts
- Corporate
- Through our attestation agent
- Arranged
At a glance
Document Attestation: Key Points
- Purpose: attestation proves that a document and its signatures and seals are genuine for use in another country.
- Into the UAE: home-country authentication, then the UAE embassy or consulate, then the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
- Out of the UAE: notary or issuing authority, then MOFA, then the destination country's embassy in the UAE.
- Apostille: the UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille alone is generally not enough.
- Translation: documents not in Arabic or English may need a legal translation.
- Our role: we prepare the corporate documents and arrange attestation through our agent.
Which documents
Which Documents Commonly Need Attestation?
Corporate documents
- Certificates of incorporation, trade licences and good standing certificates.
- Memoranda and articles of association.
- Board and shareholder resolutions, for example to open a UAE branch or appoint a manager.
- Powers of attorney.
- Audited financial statements, often needed for tenders, foreign registrations and bank facilities.
- Commercial invoices and certificates of origin.
Personal documents
- Degree and education certificates for employment visas.
- Marriage and birth certificates for family visas.
- Police clearance certificates.
The routes
What Are the Attestation Steps?
| Step | Foreign document for UAE use | UAE document for use abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Notarisation or issuing-authority certification in the home country | Notarisation or certification by the UAE issuing authority |
| 2 | Authentication by the home country's foreign ministry | Attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) |
| 3 | Legalisation by the UAE embassy or consulate in that country | Legalisation by the destination country's embassy in the UAE |
| 4 | Final attestation by MOFA in the UAE | Further steps in the destination country, if required |
| 5 | Legal translation into Arabic, if required | Translation into the destination country's language, if required |
The exact steps vary by country, document type and the authority that will receive it. We confirm the route before starting.
Apostille
Is an Apostille Accepted in the UAE?
An apostille is a single certificate used between countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. According to the Hague Conference status table, the UAE is not a party to the Convention. In practice, a foreign document carrying only an apostille is generally not accepted by UAE authorities; it still needs the UAE embassy and MOFA steps.
The same applies in reverse: a UAE document going to an apostille country usually follows the embassy legalisation route, not an apostille. Always check what the receiving authority will accept.
How we work
How Do We Arrange Attestation for You?
Step01
Confirm the route
Check the receiving authority, destination country and document type.
Step02
Prepare documents
Draft or review resolutions, POAs and audited accounts so they meet the requirements.
Step03
Collect originals
Gather the originals and any translations needed.
Step04
Attestation
Our attestation agent completes the notary, ministry and embassy steps.
Step05
Return
Attested documents are returned to you, ready to submit.
Why SGA World
Why Choose SGA World for Document Attestation Services?
Ministry-approved audit firm
SGA World is a Ministry of Economy and Tourism approved audit firm, so our reports are accepted where it matters.
Audit and tax in one team
Auditors, VAT, corporate tax and transfer pricing specialists work together, so nothing falls between advisers.
Qualified chartered accountants
A team of chartered accountants qualified in India and the UK, focused on UAE rules.
500+ clients
Mainland and free zone companies, from start-ups and SMEs to regional groups.
Listed with major UAE banks
Our audit work is recognised by major UAE banks for facilities and account reviews.
Worked example
Example: Opening a UAE Branch of an Overseas Company
A company in India wants to open a branch in Dubai. The licensing authority asks for the parent's certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, a board resolution approving the branch and appointing a manager, and a power of attorney.
- The documents are notarised in India and authenticated by India's Ministry of External Affairs.
- They are then legalised by the UAE Embassy in New Delhi.
- In the UAE, they receive final attestation from MOFA and are legally translated into Arabic where required.
Planning the resolution wording correctly at the start avoids having to repeat the whole chain.
Fees and timing
What Affects the Cost and Time of Attestation?
Attestation fees are mainly government and embassy fees, which depend on the document type and country, plus courier and handling. Timing depends on:
- the country and its embassy processing times;
- whether documents are commercial or personal;
- the number of documents;
- whether translations are needed;
- whether documents must first be re-issued with correct details.
We give you a quote and expected timeline once we know the documents and the destination.
Avoid problems
Common Attestation Mistakes
Relying on an apostille alone for UAE use
Generally not accepted without embassy and MOFA steps
Attesting a copy instead of the original
Many authorities need attested originals
Wrong names or details on the document
Rejected after attestation
Skipping legal translation
The authority cannot accept it
Starting too late for a tender or licence deadline
Embassy steps can take weeks
Not checking the receiving authority's requirements
Extra steps discovered at submission
Attestation desk
Get Your Documents Attested Without Delays
Tell us which documents you need attested and where they will be used. We will confirm the route, cost and timeline.
We arrange
- Corporate document attestation
- Audited accounts attestation
- Powers of attorney and resolutions
- Personal certificates
- Legal translation
Location: Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Talk to Our Team
Our offices in Business Bay, Dubai and Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi support clients across the UAE.
Dubai
Office 1923, The Exchange Tower, Business Bay, Dubai
Abu Dhabi
Khalidiya Towers M-B6, W10, Al Bateen, Al Khalidiyah, Abu Dhabi
Talk to an auditor
Tell us your company type, jurisdiction and deadline. We will confirm the scope, timeline and fee.
- WhatsApp us+971 50 627 3556
- Call us+971 4 570 1795
- Email us[email protected]
- Book an appointmentChoose a time that suits you
Prefer a form? Send us a detailed enquiry.
Who prepared this page
Written and reviewed by SGA World's audit and tax team
This guide is prepared by chartered accountants at SGA World Auditing Accounting L.L.C S.P.C in Business Bay, Dubai, a Ministry of Economy and Tourism approved audit firm, and checked against Federal Tax Authority legislation and guidance. It is reviewed whenever the rules change.
- Last reviewed 14 October 2026
- Chartered accountants from India and the UK
- FTA representation through Saif Chartered Accountants
Have a question about your company?
Tell us your activity, jurisdiction and deadline. A chartered accountant will reply.
Ask an expertFrequently asked questions
Document Attestation in the UAE – FAQs
Short answers to the questions UAE businesses ask us most. Still unsure?
Talk to our team01.What is document attestation?
A chain of official certifications that confirms a document's signatures and seals are genuine so it can be used in another country.
02.Does SGA World attest documents itself?
No. We prepare and review the documents and arrange attestation through our trusted attestation agent, who handles the notary, ministry and embassy steps.
03.Is an apostille valid in the UAE?
The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille alone is generally not accepted. Foreign documents usually need UAE embassy legalisation and MOFA attestation.
04.Which corporate documents usually need attestation?
Certificates of incorporation, memoranda and articles, board resolutions, powers of attorney, good standing certificates and audited financial statements.
05.How long does attestation take?
It depends on the country, document type and embassy. Simple UAE steps can be quick, while documents from abroad can take several weeks.
06.Do I need a translation?
Documents not in Arabic or English, and some documents for UAE authorities, need a legal translation by an approved translator.
07.Can audited financial statements be attested?
Yes. Audited accounts are often attested for foreign tenders, registrations and bank facilities. We prepare the accounts and arrange the attestation.
08.Can documents be attested without the original?
Most authorities need the original or a certified true copy. We confirm what the receiving authority accepts before starting.
09.Can MOFA attestation be done online?
Some attestations can be applied for through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' digital services; requirements vary by document.
10.Do education certificates need attestation for UAE visas?
Often, yes, for employment visas in roles that require a degree. The certificate is attested in the issuing country, by the UAE embassy and by MOFA.
11.How much does attestation cost?
Costs are mainly government and embassy fees, which vary by document and country, plus handling and courier.
12.Can you attest documents for use outside the UAE?
Yes. UAE documents are attested by MOFA and then legalised by the destination country's embassy in the UAE.
References:UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs · HCCH: Apostille Convention status table — reviewed 14 October 2026
