Legal translation & attestation
Legal translation and document attestation
Foreign certificates and company documents must be legalised before UAE authorities accept them, and many need an Arabic legal translation. We coordinate the chain so your documents are accepted the first time.
Attestation
How foreign documents are attested for the UAE
The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille alone is not enough. Documents issued abroad usually go through this chain:
- Notarisation or certification in the country of issue
- Authentication by that country’s foreign ministry
- Legalisation by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in that country
- Final attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The exact steps vary by country and document type. We tell you exactly what applies before you start.
Documents we commonly handle
- Degree and education certificates
- Marriage and birth certificates
- Certificates of incorporation and good standing
- Board resolutions and powers of attorney
- Memorandum and articles of association
- Commercial invoices and other trade documents
Legal translation
Arabic translation that authorities accept
Documents submitted to UAE courts and many government departments must be in Arabic and translated by a legal translator registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice. We arrange certified translation between English and Arabic, and other languages on request.
- Corporate and commercial documents
- Personal and civil-status documents
- Contracts and agreements
- Court and legal documents
FAQs
Attestation and translation questions
Does the UAE accept apostilles?
Not as a replacement for legalisation. The UAE is not currently a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so foreign documents still need embassy legalisation and UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation.
How long does attestation take?
It depends mostly on the steps in the issuing country. Once a document reaches the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attestation is usually quick, but the full chain can take several weeks for some countries.
Do I need my degree attested for a work visa?
For many skilled roles, employers and authorities ask for an attested degree certificate. Requirements depend on the job title and the authority.
Free consultation
Get your documents ready for the UAE
Share a few details and a Support Hub consultant will call you back to talk through options, documents and next steps. There is no obligation.
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