Document attestation is one of the most important services expatriates, students, professionals, and businesses need in the UAE. Whether you are applying for a job, processing a visa, enrolling in a university, or setting up a company, attestation of educational, personal, or commercial certificates is mandatory. This comprehensive guide will explain attestation cost in UAE, different attestation types, country-wise estimates, government fees, and how Best Attestation offers cost-effective and fast services with 2% less than market price and free pickup & door delivery.
📌 What is Attestation & Why It’s Needed in UAE
Attestation is the official process of verifying the authenticity of signatures and stamps on documents issued inside or outside the UAE. It makes documents legally valid for use in government departments, universities, employers, visa authorities, and commercial entities. Ministry of Foreign Affairs UAE
Before a foreign document can be accepted in the UAE, it typically goes through this sequence:
- Notarization in the issuing country
- Authentication by relevant ministries in the home country
- Attestation by UAE Embassy/Consulate in the home country
- Final attestation by MOFA UAE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) Start Any Business
For documents issued inside the UAE that will be used abroad, the process is reversed — start with MOFA and move to the destination country’s authorities where applicable.
📊 How Attestation Costs Are Determined
Attestation fees vary widely based on:
- Document type (educational, personal, commercial)
- Country of issue and destination country
- Government fees vs agency service fees
- Urgency of processing
- Additional services (translation, embassy submission, etc.)
Also, government policies change periodically, so costs vary over time and per certificate type.
General MOFA UAE Attestation Fees
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFA UAE) charges official government fees for attesting documents that are issued inside the UAE and intended for use either locally or abroad. These fees are set by the government and are separate from any service or processing charges applied by attestation agencies.
MOFA Attestation Fees for Documents Issued Inside the UAE
For educational certificates such as degrees, diplomas, and academic qualifications issued in the UAE, the MOFA attestation fee typically ranges between typically between AED 225 and AED 375 per document. The exact fee depends on the nature of the certificate and MOFA’s current fee structure.
For personal documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical reports, and similar civil documents issued within the UAE, the standard MOFA attestation fee is generally around AED 250 per document.
In the case of commercial documents, such as contracts, company incorporation papers, memorandums, and other business-related documents, MOFA UAE applies a significantly higher government fee. The attestation cost for commercial documents is typically around AED 3,000 per document, as these are classified under business and corporate services.
📌 Important Note:
Please note that the above fees may vary from time to time based on UAE government policies, MOFA UAE regulations, the nature of the certificate, and the purpose for which the document is required.
Types of Attestation in UAE
Attestation services in UAE can be broadly grouped into the following:
1. Educational Attestation
For certificates required by employers or universities:
- High School Certificates
- Bachelor’s Degrees
- Master’s & PhD Certificates
- Transcripts & Diplomas
- Professional Certificates
Typical costs for educational certificates range between AED 500 – AED 2500 (all steps included before MOFA), depending on the country of origin and attestation steps required. Embassy And Mofa Attestation
2. Personal Document Attestation
Used for family visas, residency, marriage/legal purposes:
- Birth Certificate
- Marriage Certificate
- Divorce Certificate
- Death Certificate
- Police Clearance Certificate (Good Conduct)
- Medical Reports
Attestation costs typically range from AED 300 up to AED 1500+, depending on steps and country. Embassy And Mofa Attestation
3. Commercial Document Attestation
For business and company matters:
- Trade License
- Memorandum of Association
- Contracts & Agreements
- Financial Statements
- Power of Attorney (for business)
- Company Incorporation Certificates
Commercial documents often involve more steps and higher fees — typically AED 1000 – AED 3000+, subject to government charges and embassy authentication. Embassy And Mofa Attestation
4. MOFA Attestation
This is the final mandatory step for all documents after home country authentication and applicable UAE Embassy attestation. It confirms authenticity for acceptance in UAE authorities. Ministry of Foreign Affairs UAE
MOFA cost per document is generally:
- Individual documents: ~AED 150-250 +
- Commercial/business: ~AED 2000+
(Subject to change by MOFA policies)
Attestation Cost by Destination Country
The cost of certificate attestation in the UAE varies depending on the destination country, as each country has its own embassy requirements, verification procedures, and government fees. The final attestation cost depends on the individual case, document type, issuing authority, embassy charges, and applicable MOFA UAE fees.
For India, the attestation cost generally ranges between AED 900 and AED 2,200, which usually includes authentication from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the UAE Embassy, and final MOFA UAE attestation.
For the United Kingdom, attestation costs usually range from AED 1,200 to AED 2,600, as documents often require multiple verification steps before MOFA UAE attestation.
For documents originating from the United States, the attestation cost is generally between AED 1,300 and AED 2,800, due to additional state-level and federal authentication procedures.
Similarly, for Canada, attestation costs commonly range from AED 1,300 to AED 2,800, depending on whether the document requires notarization, Global Affairs Canada authentication, and embassy legalization.
For Australia, the estimated attestation cost typically falls between AED 1,200 and AED 2,700, based on document type and processing route.
Attestation for Germany usually ranges between AED 1,400 and AED 3,000, as European documents often require additional legalization steps.
For France, the cost of attestation is also commonly between AED 1,400 and AED 3,000, depending on embassy and consular procedures.
For South Africa, attestation costs generally range from AED 1,000 to AED 2,400, based on verification and embassy authentication requirements.
Important Note:
The above prices are indicative estimates only. Actual attestation costs may vary based on government policies, embassy fees, document category, urgency, and country-specific regulations
Why Use a Professional Attestation Agency?
While you can submit documents yourself, doing so:
✔ Takes more time
✔ Risks mistakes in steps or missing documents
✔ Often leads to delays or rejections
✔ Requires multiple visits to typing centers and embassies
Using a trusted agency ensures:
- Accurate documentation & correct sequence
- Timely and error-free processing
- Embassy submissions handled professionally
- Updates and tracking for your documents
- Free pickup & door delivery services
Why Choose Best Attestation?
Best Attestation offers:
✅ 2% less than market price compared with other attestation agencies in UAE
✅ Full attestation support for all countries
✅ Free pickup & door delivery across UAE
✅ Transparent pricing — no hidden charges
✅ Guidance on document sequence and required steps
👉 With Best Attestation, you pay less and get more value — peace of mind, speed, and hassle-free service.
What’s Included in Best Attestation Services
- Consultation & Documentation Check
- Submission to Relevant Authorities
- Embassy Authentication (if required)
- MOFA UAE Attestation
- Final Delivery (Free Pickup & Door Delivery)
This all-inclusive service saves you time, travel costs, and confusion, compared to handling multiple steps yourself.
How Government Policies Affect Attestation Cost
Attestation costs can change due to government fees, Emirates policies, or updates in MOFA and embassy procedures. For example:
- MOFA periodically updates its fee schedule. UAE Legislation
- Some countries introduce extra legalization steps before UAE acceptance.
Therefore, the prices listed above are indicative and subject to change.
Tips to Reduce Attestation Cost & Hassle
✔ Always verify the exact attestation steps needed for your document and destination country.
✔ Avoid mistakes like wrong names, missing signatures, or invalid copies.
✔ Use professional typing/attestation centers with embassy experience.
✔ Ask for door pickup & delivery to save travel expenses.
✔ Compare market pricing — Best Attestation offers 2% less than competitors.
Typical Attestation Timeline
The total time required for document attestation in the UAE depends on the type of document, issuing country, embassy procedures, and government processing schedules. In most cases, the attestation process begins with home country authentication, which usually takes 1 to 5 working days, depending on the authority involved and the country of origin.
Once the document is authenticated in the home country, it proceeds to UAE Embassy attestation, which typically takes 1 to 3 working days, subject to embassy working hours and appointment availability. After embassy verification, the final and mandatory step is MOFA UAE attestation, which generally requires 24 hours.
For convenience, professional attestation agencies offer pickup and door delivery services, which are usually completed on the same day or the next working day, ensuring a hassle-free experience for clients.
Overall, the complete attestation process usually takes 3 to 10 working days, depending on the document type, country-specific procedures, and embassy schedules. Processing time may vary in special cases or during public holidays.
Conclusion
Document attestation is essential for legal, educational, employment, or business processes in the UAE. It involves steps through home authorities, embassy attestation, and final validation by MOFA UAE. Embassy And Mofa Attestation
✅ Attestation costs vary based on document type, country, and government fees.
✅ Best Attestation provides 2% lower prices than other agencies in UAE.
✅ You also get FREE pickup & door delivery, saving time and travel costs.
Whether you’re a student, professional, company owner, or family sponsor, choosing the right attestation partner helps ensure a smooth and affordable process.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What documents need MOFA attestation?
All foreign documents that will be used in UAE government, education, employment, legal, or commercial processes require MOFA attestation after home country and embassy attestations. Ministry of Foreign Affairs UAE
Q2: Do prices include embassy fees?
Market agencies usually include embassy fees, but always confirm before submission.
Q3: Does Best Attestation provide tracking?
Yes — you get real-time updates on attestation progress and delivery.
Q4: Can attestation be done online?
Some steps like MOFA submission can be started online, but most still require physical document submission.
