Complete procedure of MOFA attestation in the UAE

MOFA Attestation Dubai

MOFA is a Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is a government body that represents the UAE globally and provides services to diplomats, foreign missions, businesses and individuals.
One of the most demanded services from businesses and private individuals is attestation of documents. It becomes necessary when documents from abroad need to be made legal for the UAE, or documents issued in the UAE have to be used in their countries.

Since the UAE is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, documents are legalised through consular attestation instead of apostille. MOFA attestation is usually the final step that confirms the validity of the seal and signature on documents issued in the UAE or abroad. In practice, MOFA attestation serves a similar purpose to apostille in other countries, but follows a different procedure.

What is MOFA attestation Dubai?

Attestation is a procedure to confirm the validity of the seal and signature on documents issued in the UAE or abroad. It is provided by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its website, mobile app and missions abroad.

MOFA attestation in Dubai confirms the authenticity of documents. MOFA verifies them and places a special sticker which proves that the documents are genuine.

There can be 2 cases of attestation:

Attestation of documents issued in the UAE to be used abroad

In this scenario, you need to take the following steps:

1. Have the document attested by the issuing authority in the UAE (for example, a free zone authority for corporate documents or the Ministry of Health for birth certificates).
2. Apply for MOFA attestation through the MOFA website or mobile app and complete the process.
3. If the document will be used abroad, check whether it also needs to be attested by the embassy or consulate of the destination country in the UAE.

Attestation of the documents issued abroad to be used in the UAE

If you want to attest your documents from a foreign country for using them in the UAE, take the following steps:

1. Have the document attested by the competent authority in the country of issuance and by the UAE embassy or consulate there (local requirements may include additional steps – always check with the UAE mission).
2. Once you are in the UAE, submit the document for MOFA attestation through the MOFA website or mobile app and complete the attestation.

MOFA Attestation Procedure

There are two main ways of completing MOFA attestation in the UAE:

1. Applying online through the MOFA website (login with UAE Pass)
2. Applying through the MOFA smart mobile app (login with UAE Pass)

MOFA attestation through MOFA website (UAE Pass login)

UAE Pass is the national digital identity that UAE residents and nationals use to log in to government service portals, including the MOFA document attestation service.

Simple steps to attest your documents through the official MOFA website, Documents Attestation service in the UAE:

Step 1: Visit the MOFA attestation service Go to the MOFA website, select “Services” → “Documents Attestation” and click “Start Service”. Log in with your UAE Pass account.

Step 2: Submit your application online 

• Choose whether your document was issued inside or outside the UAE. 
• Select the document type and the country of issuance. 
• Confirm that the document has already been attested by the competent authorities and, if applicable, by the UAE mission in the country of issuance. 
• Fill in your personal details and upload clear copies of the document.

Step 3: Pay the fees After your application is reviewed, you will receive an SMS confirming that the application is ready for payment. Log in to your account, go to “My Tasks” and pay the attestation fee using the available e‑payment methods (including Apple Pay and Google Pay).

Step 4: Hand over the original document to the courier Inside the UAE, you will select a courier company when submitting your application. The courier will collect the original document from you and deliver it to MOFA for attestation.

Step 5: Receive the attested document by courier Once MOFA completes the attestation, the courier will return the attested document to your chosen delivery address. The standard service time is 0–3 business days, depending on the selected delivery option.

MOFA attestation through MOFA App

If you are using the MOFA smart mobile app to apply for document attestation in the UAE, the process is very similar to the website:

• Download the app by searching for “UAE MOFAIC” in your app store. 
• Log in with your UAE Pass account. 
• Select your service type (individual, business or diplomatic services). 
• Choose “Attestation of Official Documents” and click “Apply”. 
• Select the document category, indicate whether it was issued inside or outside the UAE and fill in the required details. 
• Upload document copies, choose the courier option for delivery and pay the fees through the in‑app payment channels. 
• Hand over the original document to the courier and receive it back after MOFA attestation. 
• The app mirrors the same steps and timelines as the MOFA website.

Why is MOFA attestation required in the UAE?

MOFA attestation is considered a key requirement in the UAE when you use documents issued abroad at UAE government institutions.

Attestation ensures that no fake documents are used for any legit purpose.

Most common reasons why you may need MOFA attestation include:

• Sponsoring dependants for UAE residence visas (marriage and birth certificates, etc.). 
• Employment in the UAE, when employers require attested educational certificates and other personal documents. 
• Opening a bank account, especially for foreign companies or high‑risk profiles. – Setting up a UAE company or branch, when corporate documents issued abroad must be recognised by UAE authorities. 
• Using foreign powers of attorney or other legal documents before UAE courts and notaries.