A Shareholder Certificate (also known as a Share Certificate) is a legal document that certifies the ownership of shares in a company. When establishing a branch, subsidiary, or business partnership in the United Arab Emirates, especially involving a foreign company, it is often required to attest the Shareholder Certificate to prove legitimate ownership and shareholding structure.
Why Is Shareholder Certificate Attestation Required?
If your company is involved in:
- Company formation in the UAE (mainland or free zone)
- Opening a corporate bank account
- Registering a foreign entity with UAE authorities
- Bidding for government tenders or contracts
- Establishing a legal representative or POA
then attestation of your Shareholder Certificate becomes mandatory. It ensures that the UAE government and banks officially recognize the ownership of the foreign business.
Attestation Process for Shareholder Certificates (Outside UAE)
1. Notarization in the Country of Origin
The document must be notarized by a public notary or legal authority.
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) – Origin Country
The Shareholder Certificate is then legalized by the foreign affairs department in the issuing country.
3. UAE Embassy Attestation – Abroad
Next, the document must be stamped by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in the country of origin.
4. MOFA Attestation – UAE
Finally, the document is legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) in the UAE. Only after this step is the Shareholder Certificate officially recognized in the Emirates.
For UAE-Issued Shareholder Certificates
If the certificate is issued by a UAE-based company and needs to be used internationally or within certain UAE jurisdictions, it may still require notarization, MOFA attestation, and legal translation, depending on the receiving authority’s requirements.
Best Attestation – End-to-End Legalization Across All Emirates
At Best Attestation, we specialize in Shareholder Certificate attestation for all kinds of corporate requirements. We handle:
- Document pickup & delivery in all Emirates: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah & Umm Al Quwain
- Attestation at all levels: Notary, MOFA, UAE Embassy & MOFAIC
- Certified legal translations if required
- Express processing options for urgent cases
📞 Call us now at +971 55 854 2916or book online to get your Shareholder Certificate attested without hassle.
What is a Shareholder Certificate?
A Shareholder Certificate is a legal document that certifies an individual or entity’s ownership of shares in a company.
Why do I need to attest my Shareholder Certificate for UAE use?
It is required to prove legal ownership when forming a company, opening a bank account, or setting up a branch or subsidiary in the UAE. Attestation ensures the document is officially recognized by UAE authorities.
What is the attestation process for Shareholder Certificates?
The typical process includes:
Notarization in the country of origin
Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation (home country)
UAE Embassy attestation (in that country)
MOFA attestation in the UAE
How long does the attestation take?
The process usually takes 7–12 working days, depending on the document’s origin and urgency. Express service is available upon request.
Is attestation required for UAE-issued shareholder certificates?
Not always, but some authorities (especially outside the UAE or in legal proceedings) may require notarization and MOFA attestation. It depends on where and how the document will be used.
Do you provide pickup and delivery in all Emirates?
Yes! Best Attestation offers free document collection and delivery across all seven Emirates—Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al Quwain.
Can you handle translation if the document is in a foreign language?
Absolutely. We offer certified legal translation services as part of our end-to-end attestation process.
