Understanding the UAE Attestation Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Written by Kanotary – your local notary public serving Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Surrey
If you’re planning to live, work, study, marry, purchase property or open a company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you will almost certainly be asked to provide attested UK documents. In UAE practice, “attestation” is the full chain of verification that proves a British document is genuine and acceptable to UAE authorities. That chain typically runs from a UK notary public, to the UK government’s FCDO Apostille, to UAE Embassy legalisation in London, and often to MOFA attestation in the UAE—sometimes with certified Arabic translation attached.
The sequence matters. Complete the steps out of order or miss a small technical requirement, and your paperwork can be rejected at a visa desk, school registrar, bank onboarding, free-zone registrar or property transfer office. At Kanotary, we help clients across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey navigate this process smoothly and on schedule. This guide explains what attestation is, when you need it, how each stage works, what can go wrong, and how to plan your timeline with confidence.
1) What is UAE attestation—and why it matters
Attestation is the process by which one authority confirms the authenticity of a document so that another authority in a different jurisdiction can trust it. For the UAE, that means:
confirming that your document is genuine (or that a notarised copy matches the original);
confirming that the notary’s authority is valid in the UK (via the FCDO Apostille under the Hague Convention);
confirming for the UAE that the UK government’s apostille is real (via UAE Embassy legalisation in London);
in many cases, confirming in-country that the document is ready for local use (via MOFA in the UAE).
Who typically needs it?
Professionals moving to Dubai or Abu Dhabi: employers often require attested degree certificates, professional memberships or police clearances as part of visa processing.
Families relocating: birth and marriage certificates are needed for dependent visas, school enrolment and family benefits.
Property buyers or sellers: a UK Power of Attorney (POA) is commonly used to appoint an agent for transactions when you’re outside the UAE.
Companies: corporate documents, board resolutions and incorporation papers are required for bank account opening, free-zone company formation or contract signing.
2) The UAE attestation timeline—how the stages fit together
Every case is unique, but most UK-issued documents follow a five-stage path:
Notarisation by a UK notary public
FCDO Apostille (UK government legalisation)
UAE Embassy legalisation (consular authentication in London)
MOFA attestation in the UAE (local validation, often required by employers and registrars)
Certified Arabic translation (if requested by the receiving authority)
Below, we explain each stage and highlight what Kanotary does to keep your file moving.
3) Stage one: Notarisation—your foundation step
A UK notary public is a specialist lawyer authorised to verify identities, certify signatures, confirm the authenticity of original documents and produce notarised copies. For UAE use, notarisation delivers two vital outcomes:
Verification and record-keeping: we confirm your identity, examine the document’s provenance (e.g., a degree certificate or registry extract) and create a permanent entry in our notarial register.
A notarial certificate and seal: your document is bound to a notarial certificate—traditionally with ribbon and seal—stating what was verified and under what authority.
How to prepare:
Bring originals wherever possible, plus valid photo ID.
If a document is laminated or damaged, order a fresh original or ask us whether a notarised true copy is acceptable for your specific purpose.
For academic credentials, check whether your UAE employer or free-zone demands a verification letter from your university registry. If so, we can obtain it and notarise the bundle together.
4) Stage two: FCDO Apostille—international recognition
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) confirms that the notary’s signature and seal are genuine. It does this by issuing an Apostille certificate under the Hague Convention. The Apostille gives your document international standing so that foreign authorities know your notary is legitimate.
Key points:
The Apostille is physically affixed to your document (or to the notarial certificate that’s attached to it).
Each Apostille carries a unique reference that can be checked by authorities.
Turnaround options vary; there is a standard postal service and an in-person counter service. We’ll advise which route best suits your deadline.
Common reasons for delay:
Inadequate copies or poor print quality (e.g., low-resolution scans). We use professional scanning and printing to meet FCDO standards.
Mismatched names or inconsistent details between your passport, degree certificate or other papers. We flag these early so you can resolve them before submission.
5) Stage three: UAE Embassy legalisation—consular confirmation in London
Once the FCDO has issued the Apostille, the file moves to the UAE Embassy in London for consular legalisation. Embassy staff verify the Apostille and then apply their own holographic stamp and signature confirming the document is ready for use in the Emirates.
What to expect:
Submissions are made to the Embassy’s Consular Section.
Processing time can vary with seasonal demand and public holidays (both UK and UAE).
Payments are made via the Embassy’s approved process; we handle formalities and track your file so it returns directly to our office without downtime.
Practical tips:
Bundling related documents for the same person or company streamlines handling.
If you are on a tight timetable, tell us at the outset; we can time your Apostille and Embassy stages to minimise gaps between them.
6) Stage four: MOFA attestation—local validation inside the UAE
Some departments and employers accept UK-legalised documents straight away. Many others expect a final stamp from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) when the documents arrive in country. This step confirms that the UAE Embassy’s London legalisation is genuine and that the document is ready for use before a local registrar, court, ministry, free-zone or bank.
How we help:
We work with trusted in-country agents who lodge documents at MOFA counters in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other emirates.
If you’re already in the UAE, we can coordinate with you or your employer’s PRO so MOFA is completed near your workplace or residence.
Planning MOFA before you travel saves days on arrival—particularly helpful for school enrolment and onboarding.
7) Stage five: Certified Arabic translation—when and how to do it
Not every authority needs an Arabic version, but plenty do. If a translation is required:
Use a sworn or approved translator whose credentials will be accepted by the requesting authority.
Keep the layout clean: translator stamps and signatures should never cover the Apostille number, the notary seal or the Embassy hologram.
In some cases, the translation itself may require MOFA stamping once bound to the original.
We arrange translations that respect these technicalities, and we check with the receiving authority when in doubt.
8) Which documents usually require UAE attestation?
The list below is not exhaustive, but it covers the most common categories we see for personal, academic and corporate needs:
Personal and family documents
Birth certificates for children joining as dependants
Marriage certificates for spousal visas and family benefits
Divorce decrees when proving marital status
Police clearance certificates (ACRO) for employment screening
Consent and guardianship letters for minors
Academic and professional documents
Degree and diploma certificates for visa classification and salary banding
Teacher qualifications (PGCE, QTS)
Professional memberships (e.g., ACCA, CIMA)
Medical and nursing registrations (GMC, NMC)
Training credentials such as TEFL/TESOL
Corporate and commercial documents
Certificate of Incorporation and status certificates
Memorandum & Articles of Association
Board resolutions and officers’ appointments
Powers of Attorney for company representatives
Commercial invoices and Certificates of Origin for customs
If you’re unsure whether your document needs attestation, ask the receiving party for written requirements and share them with us—we’ll tailor the route accordingly.
9) Original vs notarised copy—choosing the right format
Different UAE authorities have different expectations:
Originals preferred: civil status documents (birth, marriage) are often best attested in original form.
Notarised copies: for passports, bank statements, utility bills or ID pages, attested copies are the norm.
University documents: many employers accept an original certificate plus a university registry letter confirming authenticity, notarised and attested together.
Corporate documents: certified copies issued by Companies House or by the company secretary can be notarised and then legalised.
We’ll confirm the correct format before we start so you avoid re-submitting.
10) Planning your timeline—working backwards from your deadline
To hit a visa start date, school term or completion meeting, plan from the end and work backwards:
Confirm requirements in writing from the employer, registrar, bank or free-zone. Note whether MOFA and Arabic translation are mandatory.
Check document condition: un-laminate or replace damaged certificates; order registry extracts if originals are missing.
Book notarisation early: one appointment can cover a stack of documents for the whole family or a corporate bundle.
Choose an Apostille route appropriate to your deadline.
Schedule the Embassy window: be mindful of UK/UAE public holidays and Ramadan hours.
Coordinate MOFA: if you’ll be in the UAE soon, we can hand over to a local agent; if you need documents ready before travel, we can complete MOFA in advance through your representative.
With clear requirements and coordinated steps, many personal files are completed in well under a fortnight, and corporate bundles can be expedited to meet deal timetables.
11) Frequent pitfalls—and how to avoid them
Poor-quality scans or photocopies
Authorities reject faint, cropped or low-resolution pages. We produce high-quality copies on appropriate paper stocks and check legibility before submission.Inconsistent identity data
Name variations between your passport, degree certificate and marriage certificate can confuse verifiers. We’ll review your documents at the start and advise on bridging statements or updated registry extracts where needed.Out-of-date police clearances
Some employers require that clearances be less than a set number of months old. Time your request carefully and avoid ordering them too early.Incorrect bundling
Sending a certificate and a translation as separate items can trigger queries. We bind documents logically and according to the receiving party’s rules, ensuring seals remain visible.Embassy submission errors
From mis-typed details to missing signatures, small slips cause days of delay. Our consular team works to a standard checklist that catches these issues before filing.
12) Special cases you should know about
Educational credentials
Certain employers, especially in regulated roles, may ask for a verification letter from the issuing university in addition to the degree certificate. We can request this directly from the registry, notarise it together with your certificate and carry it through the full legalisation chain.
Medical documents
Medical letters, vaccination records or GP certificates sometimes need additional verification. Let us see the exact wording required by the receiving authority so we can prepare the right form of certificate.
Powers of Attorney (POA)
When buying or selling property or dealing with banks in the UAE, a POA is common. We’ll draft a POA tailored to the UAE’s civil law framework, witness your signature, notarise, and then complete legalisation so your appointed agent can act without interruption.
Corporate authorisations
Board resolutions and incumbency certificates should be carefully drafted to match the downstream transaction. We frequently liaise with UAE counsel and free-zone registrars to ensure the text and execution formalities meet local expectations.
13) How Kanotary streamlines UAE attestation
End-to-end management: one engagement letter covers notarisation, Apostille, Embassy filing, MOFA coordination and translation—so you’re not chasing multiple providers.
Clear communication: we provide step-by-step updates and target dates so you always know what’s happening next.
Quality control: our checklists catch the easy-to-miss issues that lead to rejections.
Local convenience: in-person appointments across Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey, with remote options where appropriate.
Tailored solutions: whether you’re a relocating family, a single professional, a developer executing property POAs or an HR team moving a cohort of hires, we shape the route to your requirements.
14) Frequently asked questions
Do I need a notary public, or will a solicitor’s certification do?
For UAE use, a notary public is generally required because the FCDO Apostille is issued against the notary’s seal. A simple solicitor’s certification is usually not sufficient for the Embassy stage.
Can I handle the process myself?
You can attend the Apostille counter and the Embassy personally, but many people prefer a professional to avoid repeat visits and prevent small errors that lead to rejections. We also coordinate MOFA and translations, which are harder to manage from the UK once you’re on the clock.
How long is an attested document valid?
Most civil status documents remain valid indefinitely once attested, but some items—such as police clearances—are time-sensitive and must be relatively recent when submitted. Always check the receiving authority’s rules.
Do I need Arabic translations for every document?
Not always. Some departments accept English originals; others insist on an attached certified Arabic translation. We verify this before we bind and submit.
What if my original is missing or damaged?
For many documents you can obtain an official replacement from the relevant registry or create a notarised true copy of a verified original. We’ll advise the best route for your case and the authority you’re dealing with.
15) Your next steps
List what the UAE side requires and send us any written instructions from the employer, school, bank, registrar or free-zone.
Gather your originals and valid ID, and tell us about any name changes or discrepancies.
Book a notarisation appointment with Kanotary—one session can cover your whole pack.
Choose the appropriate Apostille route for your timeline; we’ll schedule Embassy filing to align perfectly.
Decide on MOFA and translation: if they’re needed, we’ll coordinate them so your documents land in the UAE ready to use.
Conclusion
UAE attestation is a precise, multi-stage process: Notarisation, FCDO Apostille, UAE Embassy legalisation, MOFA and, where required, certified Arabic translation. When executed in the right order and to the right technical standards, your UK documents will be accepted across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates for visas, banking, education, property and corporate activities.
With Kanotary as your notary partner in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Surrey, you gain a single point of contact, rigorous document checks and a carefully choreographed route through each stage—so you can focus on your move, your family or your deal. Get in touch with our team to start your file, and let’s make your UAE paperwork the simplest part of your transition.
Kanotary—expert guidance, local convenience, global reach.