In the UAE, ensuring the authenticity of documents is a critical legal requirement. The process of attesting certificates, such as degrees, birth, and marriage documents, involves multiple stringent steps that must be meticulously followed to avoid any legal hindrances.
Document or degree attestation for the UAE is non-negotiable due to the country’s non-participation in the Hague Convention, which simplifies international document authentication through an Apostille. Therefore, the conventional attestation process must be undertaken, starting in the document’s country of origin.
The process comprises five interconnected steps: Notarisation, Attestation by the relevant ministry, Certification by the UAE Embassy, MOFA certification, and, if required, translation to Arabic. It all begins with notarisation, where a notary public verifies the document’s authenticity and the identity of its signatory, ensuring legal standing for use in UAE.
Following notarisation, the document proceeds to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its country of origin. Here, the ministry verifies the notary’s validation before providing its stamp of approval. Only after this can the document proceed to the next stage.
The next crucial step involves the UAE Embassy or Consulate in the origin country, where the verified document receives the UAE stamp, signaling its acceptance for further processing in the UAE.
Upon reaching the UAE, the final authentication is conducted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They ensure all prior steps are executed correctly, granting the document its final legal validity.
For documents required by government authorities outside free zones in the UAE, a certified translation into Arabic is necessary. This translation is performed by a legal translator accredited by the UAE Ministry of Justice, followed by certification from the Ministry itself.
The entire process, though complex, is streamlined by professional services that manage these steps across various countries. For instance, the procedure varies with timelines and fees depending on the document’s origin, such as India, Hong Kong, Japan, among others, each having specific departments for processing.
Completing document attestation for UAE use may seem daunting, but with the right guidance and understanding of each step, the process becomes manageable. Ensuring that documents meet UAE legal requirements is essential for anyone planning to use their credentials within the country.
