Attestation is an essential process that ensures your documents are legally valid and protected against fraud. This blog will provide valuable information on MoFA attestation in Dubai and why you should attest documents for credibility and validity. We’ll also provide step-by-step guides, helpful tips, and insights into the significance of notary attestation.

What does it mean to attest documents?

Attest documents serve as testimony or confirmation that carries legal weight.

It is customary to have a witness sign various written documents such as deeds, wills, or other legal papers, thereby attesting to the accuracy of the document’s contents and the authenticity of the signing party’s signature. 

Attest documents aim to preserve evidence and do not inherently establish the document’s substance. 

Attest Documents by MoFA in Dubai.

To attest documents properly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Dubai, please follow the steps below:

  • Verify the specific requirements for attesting your particular document type, as different documents may have different attestation requirements.
  • Before submitting your documents to MoFA, you must have them notarized by a notary public to ensure the document’s authenticity.
  • Some documents, such as educational certificates, may require attestation by the issuing authority in your home country, such as the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • If your document is in a language other than Arabic, you may need to have it translated into Arabic by a certified Arabic translator in Dubai. The translation should also be notarized.
  • Once you have the notarised and authenticated document and any required translations from a certified translation company in Dubai, visit the MoFA office in Dubai.
  • At the MoFA office, submit the original document and copies of the notarization, authentication, and translation (if applicable).
  • The fee for attesting your documents will vary depending on the document type and the level of service required. Make sure you have the accepted payment method for MoFA.
  • MoFA will review your documents and verify their authenticity. This process may take some time.
  • Once the attestation is complete, your document will be stamped or endorsed to confirm its validity.
  • After the attestation process, you can collect your attested document from the MoFA office. 
  • Remember to bring your original receipt or any other required documentation to claim your attested document.

Who can attest documents by MoFA in Dubai?

Anyone can attest documents in Dubai by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, such as:

  • Citizens.
  • Students.
  • Tourists.
  • Residents.
  • Investors.
  • Companies.

MOFA Attestation Fee in Dubai

Fees to attest documents in Dubai varies according to their purpose as follows:

1- For individal certificates

The attestation fee for each certificate listed below, regardless of whether it was issued within or outside the United Arab Emirates, is AED 150:

  • Birth certificate.
  • Court certificates.
  • Certificate of good conduct.
  • Educational certificates.
  • Death certificates.
  • Employment contract.
  • Fingerprint document.
  • Experience certificate.
  • Judicial rulings.
  • Marriage contracts.
  • Loss of foreign passport.
  • Power of attorney (non-trade).
  • Transfer of power of attorney (non-trade).
  • Medical reports.
  • Police report.
  • “To whom it may concern” certificates.

2- For commercial documents

The fee for MoFA attestation of commercial documents, regardless of whether they were issued within or outside the UAE, amounts to AED 2,000 per document. Such documents encompass a wide range of items, including:

  • Certificate of good standing.
  • Commercial agreements.
  • Commercial licences.
  • Company set-up contract.
  • Board of Director decisions.
  • ISO certificate.
  • Financial statements.
  • Article of Association.
  • Patent registration.

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The Importance of Notary Attestation

There are numerous reasons to obtain a notarized document, whether it is a legal requirement or not. 

Fraud and forgery prevention

In a world where unscrupulous individuals exploit unsuspecting victims, a reliable notary attestation to authenticate a signer’s identity adds an extra layer of protection when executing crucial documents. 

By deterring fraudulent activities and forgery attempts, notarization safeguards against potential harm.

Legal safeguarding

Notary attestation of your documents can help mitigate the risk of contract disputes and subsequent litigation. 

Notarising a document carries greater weight in legal matters, reinforcing its validity and reducing the likelihood of legal challenges.

Enhanced document credibility

While not all documents require legal binding through notarization, obtaining notarization remains advantageous.

The notary’s official stamp and signature augment the document’s intrinsic value and authenticity, bolstering its credibility and trustworthiness.

Eliminating the need for witness presence in court

By the law of evidence, a notarised document is considered self-authenticating. 

This means it can be presented as evidence in a trial without additional proof of its authenticity. 

Consequently, notarization alleviates the necessity for witnesses to appear physically in court, resulting in substantial time and cost savings.

Birth Certificate Attestation In Dubai

The birth certificate is a document issued by the government registrar responsible for recording daily births. 

It proves that a person was born in a specific country and provides crucial information, including their: 

  • Country.
  • Origin.
  • Date of birth.

Birth Certificate attestation is a vital process of legalisation that involves obtaining an attestation stamp from designated officials. 

This procedure must be carried out in the country where the birth certificate was issued. 

It is an essential document for individuals considering studying abroad, as most colleges and universities require a copy of the certificate for admission. Moreover, it is a mandatory requirement for visa applications. 

Documents required

To obtain attestation for your birth certificate in Dubai, the following documents are required:

  • 2 passport photographs.
  • An original birth certificate.
  • A copy of both parents’ passports.
  • A valid passport.
  • Emirates ID (may be required).

Birth certificate attestation procedure in Dubai

These steps guide you to attest documents for your birth certificate in Dubai easily:

  • Begin by verifying your documents at the UAE Ministry or the Department of Foreign Affairs in your country of origin.
  • Proceed to verify your birth certificate at the United Arab Emirates Embassy in your respective country.
  • Submit your verified documents to the Dubai Courts Notary Public (DCNP) for further verification.
  • Once the DCNP has completed the verification process, obtaining attestation from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) is essential.

 

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Apostille Attestation

Apostille attestation refers to authenticating public documents for their international validity. 

However, when legalising public documents for use within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a different process known as authentication and legalisation is required, which involves:

  • Verifying the document’s authenticity by the relevant authority in the country where it was issued.
  • Legalising it through the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
  • Finally, attesting it through that particular country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

The need for apostille attestation in UAE

The requirement of Apostille Attestation in the UAE stems from the country’s multicultural and diverse community, attracting expatriates, students, and business professionals worldwide. 

Before relocating to the UAE, individuals must complete the certificate attestation process, which is mandatory for permanent immigrants and temporary visitors seeking employment or pursuing higher education.

As the UAE is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, it requires Apostille Attestation or Embassy Legalization for official documents.

This involves certification by the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the issuing country’s designated authority.

Documents need apostille attestation.

Apostille legalization is a compulsory requirement for various types of documents, including:

In conclusion, attesting documents ensures their authenticity and legal validity. By having a witness sign various written papers, such as deeds and wills, the accuracy of the document’s contents and the genuineness of the signature are confirmed. To attest documents by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Dubai, specific steps need to be followed, including notarization, authentication, and, if required, translation. The process may vary depending on the document type and purpose, and fees are applicable accordingly. Document attestation ensures legal compliance and safeguards individuals’ rights and interests. Alsun Translation Services provides attestation from MOFA AND MOJ and certified translation services for the needed documents.