If you’re a French citizen or hold French-issued documents and plan to study, work, reside, or conduct business in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE, legalizing your French certificates through apostille or attestation is essential.
From academic qualifications and personal records to business and legal documents, this guide explains everything you need to know about the apostille and attestation process for French documents in Dubai—and how expert help from Best Attestation Services can simplify it all.
Educational Certificates from France
Common French Academic Documents That Require Attestation:
- Diplôme de Baccalauréat (Bac Certificate) – French high school diploma used for university admissions.
- Diplôme Universitaire – Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degrees.
- Attestation de Réussite – Provisional certificate proving academic success.
- Relevé de Notes – Official transcripts showing grades and course completions.
- Certificat de Scolarité – Proof of enrollment or school attendance, often used for student visa or family sponsorship.
These documents must be attested if you’re applying for:
- University or school admissions
- Equivalency certifications
- Student visas or dependent visas
- Professional licensing in the UAE
Personal Certificates from France
Common French Civil Documents That Need Attestation:
- Acte de Naissance – Birth certificate
- Acte de Mariage – Marriage certificate
- Acte de Décès – Death certificate
- Certificat de Célibat – Certificate of single status
- Certificat de Nationalité Française – Certificate of nationality
- Livret de Famille – Family record book
- Certificat de Divorce – Divorce certificate
- Certificat de Résidence – Proof of French residence
These are typically required for:
- Marriage registration in Dubai
- Visa applications
- Family sponsorships
- Residency permits
Commercial and Business Documents
French Business Certificates Often Attested for UAE Use:
- Extrait Kbis – Official company registration certificate
- Statuts de Société – Articles of association
- Certificat d’Immatriculation – Company registration certificate
- Attestation de TVA – VAT registration document
- Bilans Comptables – Audited financial statements
If you’re setting up a branch office, entering a partnership, or submitting documents to UAE free zones or banks, these business records must be legally attested to be recognized.
Other Common Certificates
- Casier Judiciaire – Police clearance certificate; mandatory for immigration, employment, and certain visa types.
- Certificat Médical – Medical clearance for health and work-related purposes.
- Permis de Conduire – Driving license attestation, especially for driving license conversion in Dubai.
- Certificat d’Hébergement – Proof of accommodation, often needed for visa sponsorship or family reunification.
Apostille vs. Attestation: Which is Required?
France is a Hague Apostille Convention member, so documents can be apostilled by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, since the UAE is not a Hague Convention member, an apostille alone is not sufficient for use in Dubai.
Instead, you must complete the UAE Embassy attestation in France, followed by MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) attestation in Dubai.
Step-by-Step Attestation Process for French Documents in Dubai
- Notarization in France (by authorized local authority or issuing body)
- Apostille by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs
- Attestation by the UAE Embassy in Paris
- MOFA Attestation in the UAE
- (Optional) Arabic Translation – Required for some government submissions
What You’ll Need
- Original document(s)
- Valid passport copy
- Emirates ID or visa page (if applicable)
- Authorization letter (if using an agent like Best)
Time & 💸 Cost Estimates
The time and cost involved in attesting French documents in Dubai can vary based on the type of document and the urgency of the service. Educational and personal certificates such as diplomas, birth or marriage certificates typically take around 7 to 10 working days for standard processing, while urgent services can expedite the process to 3 to 5 days. For commercial documents like Extrait Kbis or company registration certificates, the process may take slightly longer—up to 15 working days, or 5 to 7 days on an urgent basis. In terms of cost, you can expect to pay approximately AED 300 to 600 for educational documents, AED 250 to 500 for personal documents, and AED 500 to 1000 or more for business-related paperwork. These figures may vary depending on the document’s origin, type, and translation requirements.
Why Choose Best Attestation Services in Dubai?
Legalizing French documents from abroad can be complex and time-sensitive. Best Attestation Services takes the stress out of the process with:
✅ French-to-Arabic legal translation support
✅ MOFA and UAE Embassy-compliant procedures
✅ End-to-end document tracking
✅ Doorstep pickup & delivery anywhere in the UAE
✅ Transparent pricing and fast turnaround
Get Your French Documents Attested the Easy Way
Don’t let paperwork hold back your plans in Dubai. Whether it’s a degree, birth certificate, business registration, or medical clearance, Best Attestation Services ensures your French documents are recognized by all UAE institutions—accurately, legally, and quickly.
