Certificate attestation in Dubai: steps, MOFA fees and how long it takes
Degrees for work visas, birth and marriage certificates for family visas, and trade licences and powers of attorney for business. Check the steps and government fees for your document and country, then LeadSouq matches you with a licensed attestation partner who handles the whole chain.
Last updated 11 November 2026
Attestation cost and time checker
Pick your document and where it was issued. See the steps, the government fees and how long it usually takes.
What this means for you
What a good attestation service includes
Use a licensed agent and keep copies of every page and receipt.
Document check
Confirming which chain your document needs for its country and purpose.
Educational documents
Degrees, diplomas, transcripts and school certificates.
Personal documents
Birth, marriage and divorce certificates, police clearance and medical certificates.
Commercial documents
Trade licences, MOA, power of attorney, board resolutions, invoices and certificates of origin.
Home-country steps
Notary, state or issuing authority and foreign ministry, through partners abroad.
UAE embassy step
Attestation at the UAE embassy or consulate in the issuing country.
MOFA attestation
The final UAE step, paid online and couriered to and from MOFA.
Equivalency guidance
Ministry of Education equivalency where an employer or licensing body requires it.
Legal translation
Arabic translation by a Ministry of Justice licensed translator where needed.
Tracking and courier
Pick-up, delivery and status updates at each step.
Which steps your document needs
The chain depends on where the document was issued and where it will be used.
| Document | Typical chain for use in the UAE | MOFA fee |
|---|---|---|
| Degree or diplomaEducational | University or education authority → home foreign ministry → UAE embassy → MOFA (+ equivalency if required) | AED 150 |
| Birth or marriage certificatePersonal | Issuing authority or notary → home foreign ministry → UAE embassy → MOFA | AED 150 |
| Police clearancePersonal | Issuing police authority → home foreign ministry → UAE embassy → MOFA | AED 150 |
| Power of attorney, MOA, board resolutionCommercial | Notary → chamber or foreign ministry → UAE embassy → MOFA | AED 2,000 |
| UAE document for use abroad | Issuing UAE authority or notary → MOFA → destination country's embassy | AED 150 or 2,000 |
Not enough on its own
The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille may cover the home-country step but UAE embassy and MOFA attestation are still needed.
Each stamp checks the last
If a step is missing, MOFA rejects the document; the chain must be done in order.
MOFA is the quick part
MOFA usually completes its step in 1 to 3 working days; home-country and embassy steps take most of the time.
Attest, then translate
Where Arabic is required, translate the attested document so the stamps are translated too.
Before you start
- Check the purpose: work visa, family visa, study or business can need different documents.
- Use originals and keep certified copies of every page and stamp.
- Do not laminate certificates; stamps cannot be placed on laminated documents.
- Ask about equivalency for degrees in regulated professions such as health, education and engineering.
Sources: Takween Advisory: MOFA attestation cost 2026 · Takween Advisory: attestation vs apostille · UAE MOFA FAQs
How attestation through a partner works
Total time depends mostly on the issuing country.
- CheckSend a scan; the partner confirms the chain, fees and time.
- CollectHand over the original, or courier it.
- Home-country stepsNotary, issuing authority and foreign ministry.
- UAE embassyAttestation at the UAE mission in that country.
- MOFAFinal attestation in the UAE, usually 1 to 3 working days.
- ReturnDocument returned with tracking, plus translation if needed.
How to choose an attestation service in Dubai
Your original degree or certificate is in their hands; choose carefully.
Ask every provider
- Are you licensed, and do you have partners in my country?
- Can you show the full chain and every fee up front?
- How do you track and courier originals?
- Can you handle equivalency and legal translation too?
- What happens if a step is rejected?
Red flags
- Promises to skip steps.
- Fees that are not itemised.
- No tracking for original documents.
- Claims that an apostille alone works in the UAE.
How much does certificate attestation cost in Dubai?
Government fees at MOFA are AED 150 per personal or educational document and AED 2,000 per commercial document in 2026. Home-country fees and UAE embassy fees vary by country (the UAE embassy fee is often around AED 150 per document). Attestation agents add a service fee for handling, couriers and appointments. Use the checker at the top of this page for your document and country.
Get Certificate Attestation quotes in three steps
Tell us what you need
Check your document with the tool at the top of this page, or use the quote form below.
We match a verified partner
Your request goes to a Certificate Attestation partner we have worked with. Your details are not sold on or posted publicly.
Compare and decide
The licensed attestation partner confirms the steps, fees and time for your document and country. You decide, with no obligation.
Get free Certificate Attestation quotes from verified UAE partners
Tell us what you need in about a minute. A verified partner contacts you with a proposal. Free, with no obligation.
- Send your requestYour goal, budget and business type.
- We match one partnerA Certificate Attestation partner we have worked with, suited to your industry.
- Compare and decideGet a proposal by phone or email, then decide.
- Free for businesses
- Details shared only with your matched partner
- No lock-in to get a quote
Get free Certificate attestation quotes
About a minute. Verified UAE partners contact you by phone or WhatsApp with a quote.
Certificate Attestation questions people ask
How much is MOFA attestation in the UAE?
AED 150 per personal or educational document and AED 2,000 per commercial document in 2026, paid online. Home-country and UAE embassy fees are extra.
Does the UAE accept apostilles?
Not on their own. The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents still need UAE embassy and MOFA attestation.
How long does degree attestation take?
MOFA usually takes 1 to 3 working days once it has the original. The full chain takes longer and depends mostly on the issuing country and embassy.
Do I need attestation for a UAE work visa?
Many employers and licensing bodies need an attested degree for professional roles, and some also need Ministry of Education equivalency.
Can I attest a laminated certificate?
Usually not, because stamps cannot be placed on lamination. Ask the issuing authority for a new copy.
Do I need a translation after attestation?
If the authority requires Arabic, get a legal translation by a Ministry of Justice licensed translator after attestation.
About this page
Written by the LeadSouq editorial team, reviewed by KL, Founder of LeadSouq · Last reviewed 11 November 2026
KL founded LeadSouq and has 13 years of digital marketing experience, more than 10 of them planning and running SEO, Google Ads, social media, WhatsApp and lead generation campaigns for UAE businesses in real estate, healthcare, education, retail and business services.
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