Document Attestation in Dubai: Sequence Guide
Need the translation that goes with an attested document? Send it to us for fast, online translation and we will tell you what it needs. This page explains the attestation order itself.
Arkan does not provide attestation. Attestation is done by the issuing country's authorities, the UAE embassy there and MOFA in the UAE. Our part is the translation that sits before or after it.
This guide explains the usual order documents follow. It does not book, submit, or track any attestation step - each authority tells you what it needs.
What Attestation Means
If someone told you a document needs to be "attested" or "legalized," this is what they mean.
Attestation
An official stamp or seal from a recognized authority confirming a document is genuine. MOFA, an embassy, a notary public, or a UAE government entity applies the stamp after verifying the document's origin.
Who does it: The authorities named above - not Arkan. Ask each authority what it needs before you submit anything.
Translation
Translation changes the document's language; attestation addresses authenticity. They are two different jobs, done by different people.
Where Arkan fits: We translate legal documents between Arabic and English through our legal translation service, before or after attestation depending on what the receiving authority asks for.
Many documents need both translation and attestation - but the order matters, and it is set by the receiving authority, not by this page. Some authorities want the original translated first; others want the attested document translated afterward. Ask before you start either step.
Who Does Each Kind of Attestation
Each authority serves a different purpose. Your document may need one, or a combination in sequence.
MOFA Attestation
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs stamp, confirming a document has been verified at the federal level. Required for most documents leaving the UAE or being submitted to foreign entities.
Common for: Educational certificates, personal status documents, commercial documents going abroad.
Embassy / Consulate Attestation
A stamp from the destination country's embassy or consulate. Required when a document will be used in a specific foreign country that requires its own diplomatic verification.
Common for: Work permits abroad, family visa applications, business setup in a foreign jurisdiction.
Notary Public Attestation
Notarization by a UAE Notary Public. Confirms the signatory's identity and willingness, or authenticates copies of original documents. Often a step before MOFA.
Common for: Powers of attorney, statutory declarations, contract signings, copy certification.
UAE Government Entity Attestation
Attestation by a specific UAE entity - such as the Ministry of Education for academic documents, or DHA for medical documents - that verifies documents within its own domain.
Common for: Degree equivalency, professional license verification, sector-specific compliance.
Translation, Attestation, or Both?
The answer depends on your document type, issuing country, and receiving authority - ask the receiving authority to be sure.
Translation Only
The receiving authority does not require attestation, only a translation in the language and format it specifies.
Attestation Only
The document is already in the required language - it needs authentication stamps. Common for documents issued abroad and used in the UAE.
Both, in a Specific Order
The document needs language conversion and authentication. The order matters - ask the receiving authority which comes first.
Not sure which applies to your document?
Common Sequences
These are illustrative patterns only - the authorities involved confirm the actual sequence for your document.
Educational Documents Going Abroad
Degree, diploma, transcript, then the issuing ministry, then MOFA, then the destination embassy. Translation may be required before or after depending on the destination country.
Personal Status for UAE Use
Foreign marriage or birth certificate, then home-country attestation, then the UAE embassy in the home country, then MOFA, then translation if the receiving authority requires it.
Commercial Documents
Company documents for foreign use, then notarization, then the Chamber of Commerce if applicable, then MOFA, then the destination embassy. Translation paired as needed.
Powers of Attorney
POA, then notary public attestation, then translation if cross-language, then MOFA if going abroad, then the destination embassy if required. Personal presence is usually required at the notary step.
Country-Specific Sequence Guides
Every country has a different attestation chain. Select your country for the usual order.
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is document attestation?
What is the difference between MOFA attestation and embassy attestation?
Do I need translation before attestation?
How long does attestation take?
How much does attestation cost?
What happens if my document is rejected?
Not Sure What Your Document Needs?
Use the document check for a quick answer.