MOFA Attestation UAE 2026: Fees, Steps and Documents

MOFA attestation in the UAE is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs step that confirms a document’s official stamp and signature are genuine, so the paper can be accepted by a UAE authority, an employer or another country. The whole process now runs through the MOFA Documents Attestation service and the UAE MOFA app, and a UAE Pass login is required.

This guide explains which of the three routes applies to your document, the exact steps, the fee lines MOFA publishes, how long each route takes and the small mistakes that get applications rejected automatically.

What Is MOFA Attestation and What Does It Check?

MOFA attestation verifies the authenticity of a stamp and signature, not the content of the document. The UAE Government Portal states this on its preparing to work page, and it also notes that degree certificates obtained outside the UAE need to be attested for certain jobs.

That means a MOFA stamp does not make a wrong date or a wrong name correct. If a detail on the certificate is wrong, fix it with the issuing body before you apply.

Latest Updates (30 October 2026)

• Checked on 30 October 2026: the MOFA attestation service page says applications are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and that UAE Pass login is required.
• Digital attestation for supported UAE issued documents is completed within 2 hours during official working hours, according to the service page.
• The UAE Government Portal page on preparing to work was last updated on 24 September 2026 and describes the same digital routes.
• Commercial invoices and certificates of origin use a separate system called eDAS and are not part of this personal documents service.

Which MOFA Attestation Route Do You Need?

The route depends on where the document was issued and whether it is a digital original. MOFA assigns the route automatically after you pick the issuing authority and document type, but it helps to know what to expect.

Your document	Route	Time listed by MOFA
UAE issued digital document with a QR code or barcode	Digital attestation	Within 2 hours in working hours
UAE issued paper original	Courier based attestation	1 to 3 business days, by provider
Issued outside the UAE	Through a UAE mission abroad	Up to 7 business days via a provider

A single application can hold up to five documents, and all of them must use the same route. Split documents of different routes into separate applications.

How to Do MOFA Attestation Online Step by Step

The online application for UAE issued documents is quick once the files are ready. Follow these steps in order.

1. Prepare the document. A digital document must be an unprotected PDF with a QR code, barcode, reference number or link. Scans and phone photos are not accepted. A paper original must be in Arabic or English, or carry a legally certified translation, and must not be laminated.
2. Open the MOFA attestation page or the UAE MOFA app and log in with UAE Pass. Non residents can register for UAE Pass first.
3. Choose attestation services in the UAE and confirm the document was issued in the UAE.
4. Select the issuing authority and the document type. The system picks digital or courier for you.
5. For digital: pick the destination country, upload the PDF, accept the declaration, pay and submit. For courier: enter contact and delivery details, choose a provider and slot, pay and submit.
6. Save the reference number and follow the status of the application.

MOFA attestation Dubai follows the same online process as every other emirate, because the service is digital and courier based. There is no separate Dubai application.

What Is the Order of Attestation for Each Document?

A document usually needs the issuing body to attest it before MOFA does. The right order depends on where the document was issued.

Issued in	Order of attestation
The UAE	Issuing UAE entity, then MOFA, then a UAE mission abroad if the document is used in another country
Another country	Foreign ministry of that country, then the UAE embassy or consulate there

For documents issued abroad, the UAE Government Portal says the foreign ministry of the origin country authenticates first and the UAE embassy or consulate then attests it. If there is no UAE mission in your country, contact MOFA through its call centre.

Degree attestation UAE and the Ministry of Education

Degree attestation in the UAE starts with the university or issuing authority and follows the order above. The UAE Government Portal adds that some professions also need the degree attested by the Ministry of Education. Equivalency is a separate process, explained in our guide to the UAE equivalency certificate.

Marriage certificate attestation UAE

A marriage certificate issued in the UAE is attested through the issuing UAE authority and then MOFA. A certificate from another country follows the foreign route. Check with the office that asked for the certificate whether it needs attestation at all, because requirements differ by purpose.

How Much Does MOFA Attestation Cost?

MOFA lists AED 150 for each individual affairs document, and the total is shown before you pay. The ministry’s FAQ page publishes these fee lines, and the service page refers readers to the attestation guide for the full list.

Item	Fee listed by MOFA
Individual affairs document	AED 150
Ministry courier, normal	AED 40 excluding VAT
Ministry courier, express	AED 150 excluding VAT
School certificate, MOFA plus UAE Embassy	AED 150 plus AED 150
Birth or death certificate via MOHAP	AED 300 in total

Fees depend on the number of documents, the completion option and whether the document is personal or commercial. Third party courier providers listed by MOFA charge their own rates, so compare them on the booking screen. Because the FAQ page includes older entries, always confirm the final total on the payment screen.

Common Mistakes That Get an Application Rejected

MOFA rejects incomplete or mismatched applications automatically, and a rejected application cannot be reopened. These are the mistakes to avoid.

• Laminated originals. MOFA lists laminated documents as not accepted.
• Missing prior attestation from the issuing body, which the FAQ names as a common rejection reason.
• Details typed into the form that do not exactly match the document.
• Uploading a scan, a photo or a protected PDF instead of an unprotected digital original.
• Choosing the wrong destination country. It must be chosen before submission and cannot be changed afterwards.
• Mixing routes in one application. All documents in one application must use the same route.

What Happens If Your Application Is Rejected?

A rejected application is refunded automatically, and a new application must be submitted. The MOFA FAQ says refunds for rejected applications are processed within 14 days, and delivery fees are not refundable.

Four Situations and Which Route Fits

These are illustrations built from MOFA’s published rules, not real cases and not legal advice.

• A new hire in Dubai with a UAE university degree that has a QR code: digital attestation, usually done the same day during working hours.
• A resident with a paper school certificate from a UAE school who needs it abroad: the MOFA fee lines for school certificates apply, AED 150 for MOFA and AED 150 for the UAE embassy.
• A family sponsoring a spouse with a foreign marriage certificate: the foreign ministry and the UAE embassy come first, so allow up to 7 business days if a provider handles it.
• A person living in a country with no UAE mission: contact the MOFA call centre on 80044444 before paying anyone.

How to Verify an Attested Document

An attested document can be checked on the MOFA verification portal at verify.mofa.gov.ae. The service page also has a Document Verification After Attestation button. Use it before you send documents abroad, so a rejected stamp is caught early.

Who to Contact for Help

The MOFA call centre is toll free on 80044444, and MOFA lists its contact options on the service page. Keep your reference number ready when you call. For police certificates that often need attestation, see our guide to the police clearance certificate in the UAE, and for fake degree risks read the fake degree rules.

Conclusion

MOFA attestation in the UAE is simple when the document, the route and the details match. Check where the document was issued, prepare an unlaminated original or an unprotected PDF, pick the right destination country and confirm the total before paying. Doing that avoids an automatic rejection and a repeat fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MOFA attestation in the UAE?

MOFA attestation is the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmation that a stamp and signature on a document are genuine. It does not check the content of the document.

How much does MOFA attestation cost?

MOFA lists AED 150 for each individual affairs document. Courier adds AED 40 for normal or AED 150 for express, excluding VAT, if you use the ministry courier. The total is shown before payment.

How long does MOFA attestation take?

Digital attestation inside the UAE is completed within 2 hours during official working hours. Courier attestation takes 1 to 3 business days depending on the provider, and attestation through a service provider can take up to 7 business days.

Can I do MOFA attestation online?

Yes. Apply on the MOFA website or the UAE MOFA app with a UAE Pass login. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Is there a separate MOFA attestation Dubai process?

No. The service is online and works the same for every emirate. You choose digital or courier based on your document.

Do I need to attest a degree certificate in the UAE?

Degree certificates obtained outside the UAE need to be attested for certain jobs, according to the UAE Government Portal. Some professions also need Ministry of Education attestation.

Why was my MOFA attestation application rejected?

Common reasons are a laminated document, missing prior attestation and details that do not match the document. A rejected application cannot be reopened, so submit a new one after fixing the problem.

Can I change the destination country after submitting?

No. The destination country must be chosen before submission and cannot be changed. A submitted application also cannot be edited.

Does an attested document expire?

The MOFA FAQ states that attested school certificates and birth or death certificates have no expiry date. The office that receives your document may still ask for a recent copy, so confirm with it.

References

• MOFA: Attestation of Official Documents and Certificates for routes, steps, conditions and UAE Pass login.
• MOFA: Frequently asked questions for fee lines, refunds and rejection reasons.
• MOFA: Attestations guide for the full fee list.
• UAE Government Portal: Preparing to work for the meaning of attestation and degree rules.
• MOFA: Document verification for checking an attested document.