Indian Document Attestation for the UAE
Need your Indian documents translated for use in the UAE? Send them to us for fast, online translation and we will tell you what they need. This page explains the attestation steps those documents go through.
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 maps the usual MEA, embassy, and MOFA sequence for Indian documents used in the UAE.
Common Indian Documents for Attestation
Educational
- - Degree and diploma certificates (for MOHRE work permits)
- - University transcripts
- - Professional course certificates
- - School leaving certificates
Personal Status
- - Marriage certificates (for family/spouse visa)
- - Birth certificates (for dependent visa)
- - Divorce decrees
- - Police clearance certificates
Commercial
- - Company incorporation documents
- - Trade license copies
- - Board resolutions for business setup
- - Export/import certificates
Professional
- - Medical Council registrations (for DHA licensing)
- - Engineering council certificates
- - Nursing/paramedic registrations
- - Teaching credential verifications
Attestation Chain
Two directions, depending on whether documents go from India to the UAE or from the UAE to India.
From India to UAE
- 1
State Home Department / HRD Attestation
State-level verification of your document. Required before MEA for most personal and educational documents.
GUIDE-ONLY Requires action in India - 2
MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) Attestation
Federal-level authentication by the Indian government. This is the central attestation authority in India.
GUIDE-ONLY Requires action in India - 3
UAE Embassy in India
The UAE diplomatic mission records its attestation. The receiving authority separately decides whether the document and any later formality meet its current requirements.
GUIDE-ONLY Requires action in India - 4
MOFA UAE Attestation
Final UAE government stamp. Ask MOFA directly for its current process.
AUTHORITY STEP Not an Arkan service
From UAE to India
- 1
Notarization / MOJ Translation
Document notarized or formally translated as required by the route. Check the authority requirement before commissioning the work.
TRANSLATION Certified translation, once you know what is needed - 2
MOFA UAE Attestation
UAE federal government stamp confirming document authenticity at the national level. Ask MOFA directly for its current process.
AUTHORITY STEP Not an Arkan service - 3
Indian Embassy / Consulate in UAE
Indian diplomatic mission in the UAE stamps the document for use in India. Ask the embassy directly about its submission process.
AUTHORITY STEP Usually requires personal presence
Not every Indian document follows the same chain. Some skip steps, some need additional authority-specific attestation (e.g., medical documents for DHA). Use document check to identify the likely route; the receiving authority confirms the actual requirement.
Translation and Attestation for Indian Documents
Many Indian documents need both translation and attestation. The order depends on the document type and receiving authority.
Documents in Hindi or Regional Languages
Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, Marathi, and other regional language documents may need English translation first. If the receiving authority in the UAE requires Arabic, a formal Arabic translation may follow. Check the authority requirement before commissioning either step.
Documents Already in English
Many Indian educational and professional documents are issued in English. These typically only need Arabic translation if the receiving authority requires it - such as Dubai Courts or certain government entities. Attestation can proceed with the English original.
This guide helps identify whether translation may be needed before or after attestation.
Our Legal Translation ServiceFrequently Asked Questions
Does India use apostille or attestation?
India is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention and does issue apostilles - but an apostille is for use in other member countries. The UAE is not a member, so an apostille is not a route into the UAE: an Indian document for UAE use needs the full chain (state Home Department or HRD attestation, MEA attestation, UAE Embassy stamp in India, then MOFA attestation in the UAE). The apostille only covers the Indian authentication layer - confirm the current requirement with the receiving authority.
What is the attestation chain for Indian documents used in the UAE?
The typical chain is: state-level Home Department or HRD attestation, then MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) attestation, then UAE Embassy stamp in India, then MOFA attestation in the UAE. Some documents skip certain steps depending on the type and receiving authority - each authority confirms its own requirement.
Do Indian documents need translation before attestation?
If the document is in Hindi, Urdu, or a regional Indian language, it typically needs English translation first. If the receiving authority in the UAE requires Arabic, a formal Arabic translation may also be needed. The order - translation first or attestation first - depends on the specific route. Check the authority requirement.
How long does Indian document attestation take?
Timelines are set by each authority, not by us. MEA attestation in India typically takes 5-10 working days. UAE Embassy attestation in India varies. MOFA attestation in Dubai is usually 1-3 working days. The full chain can take several weeks depending on the document type and whether you handle the India-side steps yourself or use an agent there.
Who handles the attestation chain for Indian documents?
The authorities named in the chain above - Arkan is not an attestation provider. India-side steps still require action in India.
Working Out What an Indian Document Needs?
Use document check to see what your file likely needs.