Attesting a document in the UAE refers to obtaining an official acknowledgment of its authenticity. This is a widely required procedure in the UAE, especially for documents that were issued in a foreign country. For a document to be accepted in the UAE, the attestation needs to be completed by various authorities. Though it may appear as a cumbersome process, attestation is a pretty straightforward procedure, and this is exactly the purpose of this article, to break down the process for you.
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Steps to Complete Document Attestation in the UAE
Below we have explained the process required to attest a document in the UAE:
1. Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Country of Origin
As the first step, the document must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country where the document was issued. Once its authenticity has been confirmed, it will be stamped by the authorities.
2. Attestation by the UAE Embassy in the Country of Origin
The UAE has an embassy in numerous countries. It is necessary to obtain a verification stamp from the UAE embassy in the country where the document was issued. This is the last attestation step in the country of origin.
3. Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the UAE
The document can then be brought to the UAE, and must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. Translation (Optional Step)
In certain scenarios, you may be required to have your document translated to Arabic. It is mandatory for the translation to be done only by a translator certified by the UAE Ministry of Justice.
5. Certification by the UAE Ministry of Justice (Optional Step)
Once the translation has been completed, the document along with its translated version must be certified by the UAE Ministry of Justice.
It is important to note that the aforementioned steps are generic, and may vary based on the document, and the country where it has been issued.
It is recommended to get the documents attested through a recognized attestation service provider. JustPOA can assist you with the attestation procedure in the United Arab Emirates as well as the country where the certificate was issued. Contact us now to get started.
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Why is Attestation Important in the UAE?
Below we have explained the main reasons why attestation has been given so much emphasis in the UAE:
1. Verifying Authenticity
The main reason behind attesting documents is to verify if the document is indeed legitimate. This is a key measure to avoid the submission of forged documents in the UAE.
2. Regulatory Compliance
The UAE’s government authorities have certain regulations in place, and many of these demand submitting attested documents to be legally recognized.
3. Global Recognition
A document that is certified as authentic by the issuing authority and other government authorities will definitely make your official work easy.
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Documents Requiring Attestation in the UAE
The following are some of the most prominent documents that need attestation in the UAE:
1. Birth Certificate
Birth certificates, especially the ones issued overseas are required to be attested for a wide array of scenarios. Some examples include securing admissions in educational institutions and processing visas for dependents.
2. Marriage Certificate
A marriage certificate is another important document that may require attestation in the UAE. Usually, sponsoring of UAE residency visas for a spouse requires attestation.
3. Educational Certificate
An educational certificate such as your degree, requires attestation in the UAE for official use. If you are seeking employment in the UAE, an attested educational certificate is a must for the issuance of a UAE work visa. Also, if you are considering higher education in the UAE (ex: a Master’s degree), you may be required to produce attested educational certificates. Other purposes requiring attestation for this document include immigration and business license application.
4. Divorce Certificate
You may need an attested divorce certificate in the UAE for purposes like a second marriage in the UAE. Attestation will give your divorce certificate the much-needed legal recognition in the UAE.
In addition to the above documents, the following may also require attestation in the UAE:
1. Employment contracts
2. Powers of attorney
3. Judicial rulings
4. Good conduct certificates
5. Medical reports
6. Work experience certificates
JustPOA can provide you with comprehensive assistance to attest all kinds of documents in the UAE. Get started now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are the most commonly asked questions about document attestation in the UAE:
1. Is document attestation the same as true copy attestation in the UAE?
Document attestation refers to authenticating original documents. On the other hand, true copy attestation refers to authenticating a photocopy of the original document. Both types of attestations hold significant importance. JustPOA offers end-to-end assistance for both types of attestations.
2. How much does it cost to attest documents in the UAE?
Document attestation in the UAE can cost you anywhere between AED 1,000 to AED 3,000. It varies based on the type of document and the place where it was issued.
3. How long does it take to complete document attestation in the UAE?
The timelines to attest documents can range from 7 to 20 working days. It may vary depending on the embassy of the respective country.
