تقنين الوثائق الإماراتية لاستخدامها في دولة أجنبية

As per UAE legal practice, legalization of documents in UAE confirms the authenticity of a document’s origin and its signatures, thus making it legally acceptable in foreign jurisdictions. The process involves several steps and government authorities, but once completed, the legalized document can be confidently used abroad for a wide range of legal, business, or personal purposes.
Key UAE organisations involved in the legalisation process include:

While both legalization and Apostille serve to validate documents for use abroad, the processes are distinct.

An Apostille is a simplified form of certification accepted among countries that are signatories to the 1961 Hague Convention. With an Apostille, no further authentication is required once the document is certified by the issuing country’s competent authority. Unfortunately, the UAE is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, which means documents issued in or for use in the UAE cannot be apostilled.

Instead, the UAE follows the legalization process, which is a multi-step authentication that includes notarization, certification by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and finally attestation by the embassy of the destination country. This process is mandatory for both personal and corporate documentation meant for use outside the UAE.

So, while Apostille is a single-step shortcut for certain countries, legalisation of documents in UAE remains a more thorough and formalized process involving multiple authorities.

• Certificates of birth and death
• Marriage and divorce certificates
• Academic diplomas and transcripts
• Police clearance certificates
• Medical reports and vaccination records
• Power of attorney documents for personal use

• Certificates of incorporation
• مذكرة ونظامها الأساسي
• Board resolutions
• Powers of attorney for corporate transactions
• Tax residency certificates
• Audit reports
• Shareholder agreements
• Certificates of good standing

• Commercial invoices
• Packing lists
• Certificates of origin
• Free Sale Certificates
• Product registration certificates

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) plays a key role in the legalization of documents for use in the UAE. MOFAIC is responsible for confirming that documents have been properly notarized and certified by the relevant local authority, such as a notary public or a chamber of commerce.

Note: Once this is confirmed, MOFA affixes its official seal and signature, effectively confirming the authenticity of the document for use outside the country. The document is then ready for final attestation by the foreign embassy or consulate of the destination country. In many cases, this MOFA stamp is the longest and most critical part of the process.

Applicants can use the MOFAIC online portal to book appointments, pay fees, and track the status of their applications. However, many businesses prefer to work with professional legalization agents to avoid errors and ensure timely processing.

أرز بقيمة 4.775 درهم إماراتي (1.300 دولار أمريكي) لتصديق المستندات الخاصة (التكلفة لكل مستند؛ حيث يتم تصديق كل مستند على حدة).