Hong Kong Documents Notarization for Use in the UAE
Legalization of documents in the UAE is a mandatory process that confirms the authenticity of foreign-issued papers before they can be used for official or commercial purposes in the Emirates. For individuals and businesses presenting documents issued in Hong Kong, understanding the legalisation pathway is crucial — especially since the UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. This means that documents bearing an apostille in Hong Kong must still undergo additional attestation steps to be accepted in the UAE.
Legalization for the UAE involves a multi-stage procedure: notarisation in Hong Kong, apostille certification, UAE Consulate attestation, and finally MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) stamping upon arrival in the UAE. Without these steps, even fully valid foreign documents are not legally recognised in the Emirates.
Key entities involved in the process include:
for initial document certification
for issuing apostilles
for consular attestation
for final legalization in the Emirates
Difference Between Legalization and Apostille
Apostille and legalization are both methods of certifying the authenticity of documents for use in a foreign country — but they differ in purpose, process, and recognition.
| Feature | Apostille | Legalization |
| Treaty Basis | Hague Convention of 1961 | Countries outside the Hague Convention |
| Used In | Between signatory countries | Between non-signatory countries |
| Certification Step | One-step apostille by designated authority | Multiple steps: notarisation → consulate → MOFA |
| Accepted In UAE? | No (apostille alone is not sufficient) | Yes, with consular legalization and MOFA stamp |
Hong Kong is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, which means that documents can be apostilled through the High Court. However, since the UAE is not a signatory, an apostille in Hong Kong documents is only the first step. These documents must be further attested by the UAE Consulate in Hong Kong and then by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs for full legal effect.
This two-tiered approach can be confusing, but it ensures that all foreign documents presented in the UAE meet strict verification standards.
Hong Kong Documents that Require Notarization
Personal Documents
Individuals planning to relocate, marry, or work in the UAE often need to legalise their personal and civil records. These documents must first be notarised in Hong Kong, then apostilled and attested before use in the Emirates.
Common examples include:
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Divorce and death certificates
- Academic diplomas and transcripts
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical reports
Business Documents
Entrepreneurs and corporate entities must legalise core business papers when establishing a mainland or free zone company in the UAE or applying for corporate banking.
Key documents often requiring legalization:
- Certificate of incorporation
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- Business registration certificates
- Board resolutions
- Shareholder agreements
In some cases, documents must first be certified by the Hong Kong Companies Registry before notarisation, especially when proving company structure and ownership.
Commercial Documents
For those involved in trade, investment, or procurement, commercial documents must be attested to be legally valid for contracts and transactions in the UAE.
Such documents include:
- Invoices and contracts
- Audit and financial reports
- Trade licences
- Company profiles and product certificates
Legalization through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) authenticates documents by verifying and endorsing the seals from its foreign diplomatic missions. Typically, obtaining attestation from the UAE MFA represents the final stage in the document legalization journey. Before issuing its attestation, the MFA carefully reviews all prior certification and legalization marks on the document. Once the MFA confirms the authenticity of these validations, it applies its official attestation, thereby granting the document legal standing within the UAE.
Important Considerations: Depending on how the document will be used within the UAE, additional procedures may be necessary. For example, if the document must be presented to a UAE court or another governmental department, it is usually required to be accompanied by an Arabic translation, as Arabic is the country’s official language. In such cases, the translation must be carried out by a certified legal translator who is authorized by the UAE Ministry of Justice. After translation, both the Arabic version and the original document need to be submitted back to the Ministry of Justice for certification of the translation. Conversely, if the document is intended for use with one of the UAE’s free zone authorities, these additional translation and certification steps are generally not required because most free zone authorities accept documents in English.
Procedure of Notarization in Hong Kong
- 01
Certify copies of documents issued by government authorities, such as certificates or Memoranda and Articles of Association (M&AA) from the Registrar of Companies, or Business Registration Certificates from the Inland Revenue Department.
- 02
Certify copies of internal corporate documents, including powers of attorney, board resolutions, or registers, by a notary public.
- 03
Do not certify the original government-issued document.
- 04
Apostille the certified copy by the Hong Kong High Court to confirm the authenticity of the certification.
- 05
Legalize the apostilled copy at the UAE consulate in Hong Kong for acceptance within the UAE.
Easily with ITA
With extensive experience managing over 1,500 intricate legal and corporate transitions, ITA Business Consultants combines expert knowledge of regional regulations and international standards to be your reliable partner in the legalization of documents issued in Hong Kong for use in the UAE.
We recognize that document legalization is more than just a procedural requirement; it’s a vital process that ensures your documents are valid and accepted, helping your business or personal matters proceed smoothly and without unnecessary delay. That’s why we provide a tailored legalization service, coordinating directly with authorities in both Hong Kong and the UAE to handle every step — from document authentication and notarization to embassy legalization and UAE consulate certification — all executed with confidentiality, efficiency, and accuracy.
Start your hassle-free document legalization journey today. Fill out the form to connect with our specialists and learn how ITA Business Consultants offers a trusted, seamless solution for all your cross-border documentation needs with complete confidence.
*Our fees for legalizing documents for the UAE, including government fees, are:
- AED 5.030 (USD 1.370) per document (for documents of legal entities) if no certification is needed;
- AED 5.915 (USD 1.610) per document (for documents of legal entities) if a copy is certified by government authority;
- AED 7.380 (USD 2.010) per document (for documents of legal entities) if a copy is certified by
*The cost of translation of a document depends on its volume; these fees are payable additionally according to the standard price list.