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Quick Summary: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation is the official process that makes a Dubai company's commercial documents legally valid inside the UAE and abroad. This guide explains what the MOFA stamp is, which documents need it, the current MOFA attestation fee (AED 150), processing times and the step-by-step application process.
Attestation is a legal verification procedure that confirms the authenticity of the signature and official seal on a document. In the United Arab Emirates, this service is provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and by UAE diplomatic missions abroad. The MOFA stamp is the final and most critical link in the verification chain that allows a document to be recognised internationally.
For a company established in Dubai, MOFA attestation is required so that documents ranging from the trade licence and share transfer agreements to powers of attorney and bank correspondence are accepted by official authorities, banks and overseas business partners. It is therefore an inseparable part of corporate compliance.
For a document issued abroad to be used in the UAE, the sequence is usually: notarisation in the country of issue, attestation by that country's foreign ministry, endorsement by the UAE embassy/consulate there, and finally MOFA attestation inside the UAE. For UAE-issued documents to be used abroad, the chain begins with MOFA.
Alongside personal documents such as education, marriage and birth certificates, commercial documents also frequently require MOFA attestation to be legally accepted in the UAE. Verifying and legalising foreign documents is the primary purpose of MOFA attestation. For companies, it is typically needed for:
The Consular Services Department (MOFAIC) under the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation attests commercial, academic and personal documents to confirm the validity of the seal and signature. The documents companies attest most often are summarised below.
| Document Type | Examples | Typical Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Documents | Trade licence, Memorandum of Association (MOA), share transfer | Branch opening, tenders, partnership |
| Contracts | Power of attorney, distribution & agency agreements | Authorisation, commercial representation |
| Commercial Invoices | Invoice, certificate of origin (COO) | Export, customs clearance |
| Academic Documents | Degree, transcript | Work permit, professional registration |
If the UAE has no mission in the relevant country, the document must be endorsed by that country's embassy in the UAE. Planning attestation requirements from the incorporation stage saves time and cost; our guide on company formation in Dubai can help.
Inside the UAE, MOFA attestation is largely digital and is carried out online using the UAE Pass digital identity. The general flow is as follows:
The document is first approved by the relevant authority; for foreign documents, notarisation and country-of-origin endorsements are completed. Documents must be in Arabic or English (legally translated if required) and must not be laminated.
Applications are made through the MOFA website or the UAE MOFA app. For courier-based attestation you select the document type and delivery preference; for digital attestation you select the destination country.
Fees are paid through the available online channels. A confirmation message with a reference number is sent upon successful submission.
For courier-based attestation the document is delivered by the selected courier; for digital attestation the attested document is sent to the registered email address.
According to official MOFA information, the attestation fee is calculated per document. The table below summarises the current fees and times verified from the official source.
| Item | Official Amount / Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MOFA attestation | AED 150 / document | Ministry of Foreign Affairs endorsement |
| UAE mission attestation | AED 150 / document | UAE embassy/consulate abroad |
| Courier delivery | Charged separately | Varies by courier provider |
| Courier-based processing | 1–3 working days | Depending on courier provider |
| Digital attestation time | ~2 hours (working hours) | Digital application inside the UAE |
Additional services such as translation, certified copies and embassy legalisation may be charged separately. Some independent sources report higher amounts for commercial documents (for example around AED 2,000 per document); such differences usually stem from bundled courier and embassy steps. Always check the official MOFA page before applying.
⚠️ Data Notice: The rates, fees and regulatory details on this page were prepared for July 2026 and are subject to change. For the most up-to-date amounts and rates, please check the official websites of the relevant authorities (e.g. mofa.gov.ae).
Company officers often confuse MOFA attestation with apostille. An apostille is a single-step legalisation method valid between countries party to the 1961 Hague Convention. Because the UAE traditionally applied the consular chain and MOFA attestation, clarifying in advance whether your document needs an apostille or the full attestation chain prevents unnecessary cost and delay. When in doubt, obtain written confirmation from the receiving institution.
The UAE has launched the Electronic Documents Attestation System (eDAS 2.0) for commercial invoices and certificates of origin. This gives export-focused Dubai companies a significant speed advantage. Digital attestation inside the UAE can be completed in about two hours during official working hours, and the attested document is sent directly to the registered email. Digitally attested documents can be verified via a QR code, reference number or barcode.
| Criterion | Courier-Based | Digital (eDAS 2.0) |
|---|---|---|
| Time | 1–3 working days | ~2 hours (working hours) |
| Delivery | Physical courier | |
| Verification | Physical stamp/signature | QR code / reference no. |
| Best For | Wet-signed corporate documents | Commercial invoices, COO |
Most delays in the attestation process stem from preventable mistakes. Paying attention to the following increases the chance of first-time approval:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and International Co-operation acts as a connecting link between the wise leadership and people of the UAE on the one hand and the entire World on the other. The Ministry undertakes various responsibilities ranging from supervision of all Embassies representing the UAE to concluding bilateral agreements and pacts with other countries. In addition to these responsibilities, the Ministry also carries out the verification and authentication of documents issued outside the UAE and UAE-issued documents to be used abroad.
According to official MOFA information, both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation and the UAE mission attestation cost AED 150 per document. Additional services such as courier, translation and embassy legalisation are charged separately. Always check mofa.gov.ae before applying.
Courier-based attestation in the UAE and abroad usually takes 1–3 working days depending on the courier provider. Digital attestation inside the UAE can be completed within about 2 hours during official working hours.
Companies need MOFA attestation for documents such as the trade licence, memorandum of association, share transfers, powers of attorney, commercial invoices and certificates of origin. It is required for branch openings, corporate bank accounts, visa processing and overseas contracts.
An apostille is a single-step legalisation valid between Hague Convention countries. The UAE traditionally applies the consular chain and MOFA attestation. It is important to clarify in advance which method your document requires, depending on the country where it will be used.
Yes. You may submit documents to the Ministry yourself or delegate the process to an authorised consultancy acting on your behalf. Multiple documents (usually up to five) can be submitted per application and the fee is calculated per document.
+90 542 381 3868
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