UK Document Attestation for the UAE
Need your UK 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.
UK documents get an FCDO apostille - but because the UAE is not a Hague member, UAE Embassy legalisation and MOFA attestation still apply.
Common UK Documents for Attestation
Educational
- - UK degree certificates (for MOHRE, KHDA)
- - ENIC/UK NARIC equivalency letters
- - A-level and GCSE certificates
- - Professional diplomas and postgrad awards
Personal (GRO Certificates)
- - Birth certificates (family visa sponsorship)
- - Marriage certificates (spouse visa)
- - Decree absolute (remarriage in UAE)
- - Death certificates (inheritance, estate)
Commercial
- - Companies House certificates
- - Articles of association
- - Board resolutions and memoranda
- - Powers of attorney (UK-issued)
Professional Registrations
- - GMC registration (medical)
- - SRA practising certificates (legal)
- - RICS membership (property/surveying)
- - ACCA/CIMA certificates (accounting)
Attestation Chain - UK Documents
The UK issues apostilles - but the UAE is not a Hague member, so UAE Embassy legalisation and MOFA attestation still apply
UK Documents for Use in the UAE
Solicitor Certification (if needed)
A UK solicitor certifies the document as a true copy or verifies the signatory. Required for some document types before FCDO will apostille.
Guide-only - completed in the UKFCDO Apostille
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office issues an apostille certificate. This serves as the UK's own authentication layer. Because the UAE is not a Hague Apostille member, the apostille does not replace the UAE legalisation chain - the UAE Embassy and MOFA steps below still apply.
Guide-only - completed in the UKUAE Embassy Legalisation (London)
The UAE Embassy in the UK legalises the apostilled document for UAE use. This step applies because the UAE is not a Hague Apostille member and does not accept an apostille on its own. Requirements vary by document type - confirm with the receiving authority.
Guide-only - completed in the UKMOFA UAE Attestation
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attests the embassy-legalised document for use within the UAE. This is the final government attestation step before translation. Ask MOFA directly for its current process.
AUTHORITY STEPArabic Translation (if required)
A formal Arabic translation may be required for UAE courts and government bodies.
UAE Documents for Use in the UK
For UAE documents going to the UK, the UAE is not a Hague Apostille member, so the UAE cannot issue an apostille. Per the UAE Embassy in London, a UAE-issued document is attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE first, and can then be attested by the UAE Embassy in London, which enables it to be used in the UK. Some UK bodies (universities, regulatory authorities) may require additional steps - ask them directly.
Translation and Attestation
UK documents are already in English - but Arabic translation is still needed. UAE courts, GDRFA, MOHRE, and most government ministries require Arabic versions of foreign documents, even when the original is in English.
For government submissions, the receiving authority may require formal Arabic translation. Check the authority requirement before commissioning it. The order matters: attestation is generally completed on the original English document first, then translation is done on the attested version.
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Not Sure?
Use document check to see whether your authority may need attestation, translation, or both
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between apostille and attestation for UK documents?
The UK is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, so UK public documents receive an apostille from the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office). The apostille is the UK authentication step - it covers the UK side of the chain, not the whole chain. The UAE is not a Hague member, so an apostille alone is not accepted for UAE use: the apostilled document still needs UAE Embassy legalisation in the UK and then MOFA attestation in the UAE. Ask the receiving authority to confirm the exact sequence.
Do UK documents in English still need translation for UAE use?
Yes, in many cases. While UK documents are already in English, UAE courts, government ministries, and other official bodies may require formal Arabic translation. Private entities sometimes accept the English original, but it depends on the receiving authority.
How long does UK document apostille and attestation take?
Timelines are set by each authority, not by us. The FCDO apostille typically takes 1-5 working days if done in person or via postal service in the UK. UAE Embassy legalisation in the UK adds further time and varies by workload. MOFA UAE attestation in Dubai is usually same-day or next business day. The total process also depends on whether solicitor certification and translation are required.
Who handles the UK apostille and UAE attestation steps?
The authorities named in the chain above - Arkan is not an attestation provider. The UK-side solicitor, FCDO, and embassy steps must be completed in the UK by the document holder or a UK-based representative.
Which UK professional registrations need attestation for Dubai?
Common UK professional documents attested for UAE use include GMC registration (medical professionals), SRA practising certificates (solicitors), RICS membership (surveyors and property), ACCA/CIMA certificates (accountants), and engineering registrations. These typically need FCDO apostille, UAE Embassy legalisation in the UK, MOFA attestation in the UAE, and Arabic translation before the relevant UAE authority accepts them - confirm the exact set with the receiving authority.
Working Out What a UK Document Needs?
Use document check to see what your file likely needs across the apostille, embassy, and MOFA sequence.