How to Attest Documents for UAE Company Setup — Apostille Guide 2026
Foreign documents must be legally attested or apostilled to be recognized in UAE. Here is the complete 2026 guide.
In this guide:
What Is Document Attestation?
- Attestation: The process of verifying that a document is genuine and legally recognized
- Required for: Foreign company documents used as UAE company shareholder; marriage certificates; birth certificates; educational certificates
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Final step of attestation in UAE
Apostille vs. Full Attestation
- Apostille countries: Countries in the 1961 Hague Convention; use Apostille stamp on documents; UAE recognizes this
- Non-Hague countries: Full attestation chain required: Notary → Local government ministry → Foreign ministry → UAE Embassy → UAE MOFA
- Check: Whether your home country is in the Hague Convention (most Western, European, Asian countries are)
Step-by-Step Attestation Process (Non-Hague Country Example)
- Step 1: Notarize original document with a local notary in home country
- Step 2: Home country Ministry of Justice or relevant ministry attestation
- Step 3: Home country Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation
- Step 4: UAE Embassy or consulate in home country attests
- Step 5: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation upon arrival in UAE
Attestation for UAE Free Zone Applications
- Corporate shareholder documents: Usually require full attestation or apostille
- Individual applicants: Passport copy usually sufficient; no attestation needed
- Marriage certificate for dependent visa: Must be attested
- Educational certificates for professional visas: Must be attested