UAE embassy attestation is one of the most commonly requested document legalisation services we process, particularly for people moving from the UK to the UAE for employment, residency, marriage, education or business.
Here’s exactly what the UAE attestation process involves, or start your UAE document attestation order directly if you already know what you need.
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Why You’d Need UAE Embassy Attestation
UK documents may need to be legally authenticated before they can be accepted by authorities in the United Arab Emirates.
For UK-issued documents, the process generally starts with FCDO legalisation (also known as a UK apostille), before the document is submitted for UAE Embassy attestation. This confirms the authenticity of the signatures, stamps or seals on your document.
Common reasons people need UAE Embassy attestation include:
- Applying for a UAE employment or residency visa
- Working or relocating from the UK to the UAE
- Getting married or registering a family event in the UAE
- Applying for residency for a spouse or child
- Setting up or operating a business in the UAE
What You Actually Need Before You Start
You’ll usually need:
- Your original UK document or an eligible certified copy, depending on the document type.
- Confirmation of which document you need attested and what it will be used for in the UAE, since different documents can have specific legalisation requirements.
If your document isn’t suitable for direct FCDO legalisation, you may need solicitor certification, notarisation or another form of document preparation first, and we can assist you with this.
If you’re unsure whether your document requires an apostille, notarisation or UAE Embassy attestation, our specialists can review it before submission. Learn more about our UAE Embassy attestation service.
UK documents must meet the relevant FCDO legalisation requirements before they can be submitted for UAE Embassy attestation. The exact requirements depend on whether you are legalising a personal, educational, commercial or corporate document.
Common UK Documents That Require UAE Embassy Attestation
We regularly process a wide range of UK documents for use in the UAE, including:
- Birth Certificates
- Marriage Certificates
- Degree Certificates
- Academic Transcripts
- ACRO Police Certificates
- DBS Certificates
- Power of Attorney
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Commercial Documents
- Company Documents
Not sure which service your document requires? Our team can help you choose the right UK document legalisation service before you place your order.
Choosing the Right Service for UAE Document Attestation
We offer different ways to legalise documents for use in the UAE:
- Standard – the most affordable option if you’re not in a rush.
- Express – a faster turnaround for urgent applications.
- UAE Embassy Attestation – for UK documents that need additional authentication for official use in the United Arab Emirates.
We also provide embassy attestation services for documents being used in other countries.
Unlike a UK apostille alone, UAE Embassy attestation is an additional legalisation stage for documents that need to be authenticated for use in the UAE. UK-issued documents must first be legalised by the FCDO before they can be submitted to the UAE Embassy in London.
What the Process Looks Like, Start to Finish
- Send us your original document or eligible certified document.
- We check that it meets the requirements for UK apostille and UAE Embassy attestation before submission, helping prevent delays or rejection.
- We arrange the required FCDO legalisation and UAE Embassy attestation on your behalf.
- You receive your fully legalised document back, ready for use with the relevant UAE authority.
FAQs
Do I need an apostille before UAE Embassy attestation?
For UK-issued documents, the document must first be legalised by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office before it can be submitted to the UAE Embassy in London for attestation. The exact preparation requirements depend on the type of document you are legalising.
Read the official UK Government guidance on legalising documents.
Turnaround depends on the document type, preparation required and service you choose. Documents sent to the UAE Embassy in London can require additional processing after FCDO legalisation. Current turnaround times and pricing are available on our pricing page.
A UK apostille and UAE Embassy attestation are separate stages of the legalisation process. If the UAE authority requesting your document requires embassy attestation, having an FCDO apostille alone may not complete the process.We can review your document and intended use to confirm the correct requirements.
Will a UAE-attested document be accepted everywhere in the UAE?
A properly legalised document can generally be used with the relevant UAE authority, but requirements can vary depending on the document type and its intended purpose.
How Apostille Solutions Can Help
Not sure whether your UK document needs an apostille, UAE Embassy attestation, or both?
Our experienced team can review your documents, advise on the correct legalisation route, arrange FCDO legalisation where required, and handle the complete UAE Embassy attestation process on your behalf.
Ready to get started? Start your UAE Embassy attestation order online or contact our team for a free document review.
