Step-by-Step Procedure for Certificate Attestation in Dubai (2026 Process)

Certificate Attestation in Dubai is a mandatory legal procedure used to verify the authenticity of documents issued inside or outside the UAE. Whether you are moving to Dubai for employment, higher education, business setup, family visa processing, or professional licensing, your documents must be attested before they can be accepted by UAE authorities.

What Is Certificate Attestation in Dubai?

Certificate attestation is the official process through which government authorities verify that a document is genuine. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) checks whether the certificate is real, properly issued, and valid for use inside the UAE.

Documents that commonly require attestation:

• Academic certificates (high school, bachelor’s, master’s, PhD)

• Professional licenses and training certificates

• Birth, marriage, and divorce certificates

• Medical and police certificates

• Commercial documents and corporate contracts

• Power of Attorney documents

• Experience certificates

• Business formation documents

This process ensures that your documents are legally recognized and accepted by government and private entities within the UAE.

Who Needs Certificate Attestation in Dubai?

Certificate attestation is required for many groups, including:

1. Employees coming to Dubai

For:

• Work visa approval

• Job change

• Professional classifications (engineers, doctors, teachers)

• Contract verification

2. Students

For:

• University enrollment

• Scholarship applications

• Certificate equivalency

3. Families

For:

• Child visa applications

• Marriage legalization

• Birth registration

4. Business owners

For:

• Company formation

• Licensing procedures

• Contract approvals

5. Expats traveling abroad

Some countries require UAE-attested documents for immigration purposes and visa applications.

What certificates can I get attest?

The following certificates can be attested in the UAE through the Certificate Attestation in Dubai as follows:

• Academic certificates: include graduation certificates from schools and universities, whether issued inside or outside the UAE.
• Professional certificates: such as accreditation certificates for engineers, doctors, accountants, etc.
• Academic certificates: include master’s and doctorate degrees.
• Birth, marriage and divorce certificates: these are important personal documents.
• Other documents: such as health certificates, experience certificates, etc.

Read more: MOFA Attestation Dubai Online

Conditions for Certificate Attestation in the UAE

Procedure for attestation of certificates for UAE aims to verify the validity of the signature and seal on the document, whether issued from within or outside the country. This is usually done by the UAE MOFA Attestations Dubai and International Cooperation or UAE diplomatic missions abroad. In the following lines, we explain the general conditions regarding the Certificate Attestation in Dubai as follows:

For a certificate to be successfully attested in Dubai, it must meet the following conditions:

1. The original certificate must be provided

Authorities rarely accept copies unless they are officially certified.

2. The document must be in English or Arabic

Documents in other languages must be translated by a certified translation service.

3. The document must be pre-attested

Foreign documents must be attested first in the country where they were issued.

4. The document must not be damaged

Torn, laminated, or altered documents may be rejected.

5. The issuing authority must be recognized

Certificates from unaccredited institutions may not be accepted by UAE authorities.

Step-by-Step Procedure for Certificate Attestation in Dubai (2026 Process)

The attestation process depends on whether your document was issued abroad or inside the UAE.

A. If Your Document Was Issued Outside the UAE

Step 1: Verification by the issuing institution

Examples:

• University registrar

• School principal

• Civil registry office

• Hospital or court for personal documents

Step 2: Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the issuing country

This confirms the document is officially registered.

Step 3: Attestation by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in the issuing country

This certifies that the document is valid for use within the UAE.

Step 4: Final attestation by MOFAIC in the UAE

This final stamp makes the document fully valid for all official UAE procedures.

B. If Your Document Was Issued Inside the UAE

Step 1: Verification by the issuing authority

Examples:

• Ministry of Education

• Ministry of Justice

• Department of Health

• UAE courts

• Local municipalities

Step 2: Attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAIC)

This is the final and mandatory step for UAE-issued documents.

Certificate Attestation Fees in Dubai (Updated 2025)

Certificate attestation fees vary based on several factors:

Factors that affect the cost:

• Document type

• Issuing country

• Whether translation is required

• Processing speed (regular or express)

• Additional services like pickup or delivery

Typical price ranges:

• MOFAIC attestation: AED 150–200 per document

• Translation fee: AED 50–150

• Embassy attestation fees: AED 100–800+ depending on the country

• Educational equivalency fees: AED 100–200

Prices may change based on urgency and document category.

Fee for Certificate Attestation in Dubai

MOFA Attestation Fee for certificate attestation in UAE, follow the following lines to learn about the factors affecting these fees:

• Document type: Is it a birth certificate, university degree, or another document?
• Issuing authority: Was the document issued inside or outside the UAE?
• Additional services by POA Dubai: Are there any additional services required such as delivery or translation?

Read more: Best Certificate Attestation in Dubai Price Deals

Benefits of Certificate Attestation in Dubai

Certificate attestation offers many important benefits for residents, expats, and businesses:

1. Legal acceptance

Ensures the document is recognized by UAE authorities.

2. Required for employment

All degrees and professional certificates must be attested for work visa approval.

3. Required for university admission

Educational institutions require attested certificates for enrollment.

4. Required for dependent visas

Birth and marriage certificates must be attested for family visa applications.

5. Needed for business formation

Commercial documents must be authenticated for company setup.

6. Required for financial procedures

Banks may request attested documents for loan or mortgage approval.

7. International validity

UAE-attested documents are widely accepted in other countries.

How Long Does Certificate Attestation Take in Dubai?

Processing time varies depending on the issuing country and document type.

Estimated timelines:

• MOFAIC attestation: Same day or 1–3 working days

• UAE Embassy attestation abroad: 3–10 working days

• Full foreign document attestation: 1–6 weeks

• Educational equivalency: 5–30 working days

Factors that may delay processing:

• Missing stamps

• Additional authentication requirements

• Unrecognized institutions

• Incorrect translations

• High seasonal demand

Documents Required for Certificate Attestation

To complete the process smoothly, the following documents are usually required:

• Original certificate

• Passport copy

• Valid UAE visa copy (if applicable)

• Emirates ID copy (if available)

• Transcript (for educational certificates)

• Certified translation, if necessary

Common Mistakes That Delay Attestation

To avoid rejection or delays, make sure to avoid these common errors:

❌ Using laminated documents
❌ Submitting documents without the required signatures
❌ Not using certified translators
❌ Not verifying the issuing authority
❌ Submitting certificates from unaccredited institutions
❌ Providing incorrect name spellings

Tips to Speed Up the Attestation Process

• Always check if your university or institution is accredited

• Avoid laminating documents

• Ensure all stamps are present before submission

• Use official, certified translation services

• Start attestation early, especially for foreign documents

• Keep digital copies of everything

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Frequently asked questions

1. How long does certificate attestation take in Dubai?

MOFAIC attestation usually takes 1–3 days, but the entire process for foreign documents can take 1–6 weeks.

2. Do I need to translate my certificates?

Yes, if the document is not in English or Arabic.

3. Can I get my documents attested online?

You can book the appointment online, but physical document submission is required.

4. Is attestation needed for all work visas?

Yes, most employers require attested degrees and experience certificates.

5. Do UAE-issued certificates need attestation?

Yes, they require MOFAIC attestation to be valid internationally.

6. Is certificate attestation necessary for company formation?

Yes, most commercial documents must be authenticated for official use.