Making your documents valid in the UAE
Attestation Services in the UAE
Documents issued abroad must be attested before UAE authorities accept them. This applies to visas, family sponsorship, employment, school admission and company formation. DocTrust manages the attestation chain for you.
Quick answer
Document attestation confirms that a document is genuine so that UAE authorities will accept it. For foreign documents, the usual chain is notary or issuing authority → foreign ministry of the issuing country → UAE embassy or consulate in that country → UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). DocTrust handles educational, personal and commercial attestation and the final MOFA step in the UAE.
Documents we attest
| Category | Examples | Typically needed for |
|---|---|---|
| Educational | Degree, diploma, transcripts, school certificates | Work permits, equivalency, school admission |
| Personal | Birth, marriage, divorce, death certificates, police clearance | Family visas, sponsorship, legal matters |
| Commercial | Certificate of incorporation, MOA/AOA, board resolution, POA, invoices | Company formation, branches, tenders |
The attestation chain explained
Every country has its own first steps. Some documents start at the issuing university or ministry, others at a notary. After home-country authentication and UAE embassy attestation, the document gets its final stamp from UAE MOFA, either in person or through MOFA's digital attestation services.
Key benefits of Attestation Services
Country know-how
We know the home-country steps for many nationalities.
End-to-end
From home country to the MOFA UAE stamp.
Translation included
Legal translation into Arabic if needed.
Safe handling
Tracked handling of original documents.
How the process works
Assess the document
We confirm the country, document type and purpose.
Home-country authentication
Notary, issuing body or ministry attestation.
UAE embassy
Attestation by the UAE mission abroad.
MOFA UAE
The final attestation in the UAE.
Translation (if needed)
Certified Arabic translation.
Documents usually required
- Original document
- Passport copy of the document holder
- Visa / Emirates ID copy
- Authorisation letter
- For degrees: transcripts (if requested)
Requirements can vary by authority, nationality and activity. We confirm the exact list for your case before anything is submitted.
Why clients choose DocTrust
Transparent pricing
Every quote separates government fees from our service fee. No surprise add-ons.
Fast turnaround
We prepare, type and submit applications correctly the first time, so files are not rejected and delayed.
One point of contact
One consultant handles your file from the first call until the licence, visa or certificate is in your hands.
All 7 emirates
We are based in Sharjah and work with mainland, free zone and federal authorities across the UAE.
Attestation Services: common questions
Why do I need attestation in the UAE?
UAE authorities need proof that foreign documents are authentic before using them for visas, employment, education or company formation.
How long does attestation take?
MOFA attestation inside the UAE can be quick. Home-country steps vary by country and can take from a few days to several weeks.
Do I need to translate my documents?
Documents not in Arabic or English often need a [certified legal translation](/legal-translation-services/) into Arabic for official use.
Speak to a Attestation Services specialist
Share a few details and a DocTrust consultant will reply with the right approach, a list of documents and a written quote, usually within one business day.
- +971 50 515 2636
- +971 50 501 2460
- Chat on WhatsApp
- info@doctrust.ae
- Office 03, Ground Floor, Building 1371, Muwaileh Commercial, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Talk to a DocTrust consultant today
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