Understanding MOFA Attestation in the UAE

The UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) plays a crucial role in connecting the country's leadership and citizens with the international community. The Ministry’s responsibilities extend to overseeing UAE embassies worldwide, establishing bilateral agreements, and handling official document verification and attestation, both for documents issued outside the UAE and UAE documents intended for international use.

Why is MOFA Attestation Necessary?

MOFA attestation is essential for validating various documents, including educational degrees, marriage certificates, and other personal or commercial records, to make them legally recognized in the UAE. This attestation serves to confirm the authenticity of foreign documents, allowing them to be legally accepted within the UAE.

Steps in the MOFA Attestation Process in the UAE

To obtain MOFA attestation, notarized documents should be submitted to MOFAIC, where they will undergo verification. The Ministry then provides the required attestation stamp. In some cases, additional attestations may be needed from the embassy or consulate of the document's issuing country, especially for documents related to employment or visa applications.

Types of Documents MOFA Attests

The MOFAIC Consular Services Department offers attestation services for a broad range of documents—commercial papers, academic certificates, and more. This attestation certifies the legitimacy of the stamps and signatures on documents issued within or outside the UAE.

If a document originates from a country with no UAE embassy, it must be verified by that country's embassy in the UAE. If neither is available, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accredited to the UAE can notarize it.

How to Obtain MOFA Attestation in Dubai

For convenience, individuals can either visit the MOFAIC office directly or entrust the process to a professional attestation service provider. Companies like Alef Ya Attestation Services, located near Dubai’s diplomatic area and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offer efficient and timely attestation solutions.

MOFA Attestation Fees in the UAE

The fee for individual certificate attestation through MOFAIC is AED 153, while commercial documents cost AED 2,048, plus any applicable courier service charges.

Processing Time for MOFA Attestation

Typically, MOFA attestation takes 2 to 3 business days. For those needing urgent processing, express services are available, which can reduce the time to as little as 1 working day, though these may incur additional fees.