Are you planning to set up a company in the UAE, open a corporate bank account, or engage in cross-border trade? If yes, then commercial document attestation is a critical step you cannot ignore. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know—from the types of documents to the complete legalization process.
What is Commercial Document Attestation?
Commercial document attestation is the process of legalizing business-related documents for official use in another country—in this case, the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It ensures that foreign-issued or UAE-origin business documents are authenticated by the proper authorities and recognized by UAE government departments, free zones, and legal entities.
Common Types of Commercial Documents That Require Attestation
Here is a list of the most commonly attested commercial documents:
Company Formation & Legal Documents
- Power of Attorney (POA)
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Articles of Association (AOA)
- Shareholder Certificate
- Board Resolution
- Trade/Commercial License
- Good Standing Certificate
- Company Profile or Extract
Contractual Documents
- Business Agreements
- Franchise and Agency Contracts
- Distributor or Reseller Agreements
- Joint Venture Agreements
Financial & Regulatory Documents
- Audit Reports
- Bank Reference Letters
- VAT Certificates
- Customs Registration Certificate
Import/Export & Trade Documents
- Commercial Invoices
- Packing Lists
- Bill of Lading
- Certificate of Origin
Why is Commercial Document Attestation Required in the UAE?
You’ll need to attest your business documents if you are:
- Forming a foreign company branch or subsidiary in UAE
- Opening a corporate bank account
- Registering a company with free zones or DED
- Applying for UAE government contracts or tenders
- Signing a Power of Attorney for local representation
- Engaging in international trade or customs clearance
Step-by-Step Commercial Document Attestation Process
For Foreign-Issued Documents:
- Notarization in the country of origin
- Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (home country)
- Attestation by the UAE Embassy or Consulate abroad
- Final attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAIC)
- Optional: Certified Arabic translation (if required by local authorities)
For UAE-Issued Documents:
- Notarization by a UAE Notary Public or Dubai Courts
- MOFA attestation in the UAE
- Embassy attestation (if to be used abroad)
Documents Required for Attestation
- Original commercial document(s)
- Passport copy of company owner/authorized signatory
- Valid Power of Attorney (if submitting on someone’s behalf)
- Company Trade License (for UAE-registered entities)
- Cover Letter (in some cases)
Processing Time
- Standard Processing: 7–10 working days
- Express Processing: 2–5 working days (subject to embassy availability)
Cost of Commercial Attestation
Pricing depends on the type and origin of the document. Here’s a general breakdown:
- Standard attestation: AED 250 – AED 600 per document
- Express service: Additional fees may apply
- Translation (if needed): AED 150 – AED 300 per page
For a custom quote, contact our support team with your document type and origin country.
Attestation Services Across All Emirates
We provide door-to-door commercial document attestation across:
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- Sharjah
- Ajman
- Ras Al Khaimah
- Fujairah
- Umm Al Quwain
Whether you’re located in a free zone or on the mainland, we offer full assistance—from collection to delivery.
Why Choose Best Attestation for Commercial Document Attestation?
At Best Attestation, we understand how complex and time-consuming international document legalization can be. Our end-to-end service ensures:
- 🛵 Free document pickup & delivery
- ⚖️ Compliance with MOFA & embassy regulations
- 🌍 Coordination with embassies across multiple countries
- 📝 Certified legal translations
- ⏱ Fast turnaround and real-time updates
- 💼 Dedicated account manager for business clients
Ready to Legalize Your Commercial Documents?
Get started today with zero stress and 100% compliance.
What is commercial document attestation?
Commercial document attestatioYou need to attest commercial documents if you’re:
Setting up a company in the UAE
Opening a corporate bank account
Registering a foreign branch
Applying for tenders or legalizing trade agreements
Submitting documents to free zones or local courtsn is the process of legalizing business-related documents—such as contracts, incorporation papers, and financial records—so they are officially recognized by UAE authorities.
Why do I need to attest my commercial documents in the UAE?
You need to attest commercial documents if you’re:
Setting up a company in the UAE
Opening a corporate bank account
Registering a foreign branch
Applying for tenders or legalizing trade agreements
Submitting documents to free zones or local courts
What types of commercial documents can be attested?
Common documents include:
Certificate of Incorporation
Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA & AOA)
Power of Attorney
Business contracts
Invoices and trade documents
Shareholder certificates
Board resolutions
What is the attestation process for foreign-issued commercial documents?
Notarization in the issuing country
Attestation by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (home country)
UAE Embassy attestation
MOFA attestation in the UAE
Optional: Legal translation to Arabic
How long does the commercial document attestation process take?
Standard: 7–10 working days
Express: 2–5 working days (if available)
Can I get my UAE-issued commercial documents attested?
Yes. UAE-origin business documents may require notarization, MOFA attestation, and embassy stamping—especially for international use.
Do you offer document pickup and delivery across the UAE?
Yes! Best Attestation offers free collection and delivery in all 7 Emirates, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.
Can you help with translation if my document is not in Arabic?
Absolutely. We offer certified legal translation services in Arabic and English, accepted by UAE government entities.

