UK Document Attestation in Dubai

The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) Apostille is the UK government certification that authenticates documents for international use under the Hague Apostille Convention. The apostille is a standardized certificate attached to your document confirming it is genuine. For UAE use, the apostille is followed by UAE Embassy and MOFA attestation.

The UAE joined the Hague Apostille Convention in 2023, but implementation varies. Currently, most UAE authorities still require UAE Embassy attestation after the FCDO Apostille, followed by MOFA attestation. We monitor the evolving requirements and advise on the current process for your specific document type and intended use.

UK document attestation typically takes 7-10 working days for the complete chain: FCDO Apostille (3-5 days standard, same-day premium available), UAE Embassy London (2-3 days), and MOFA UAE (1-2 days). Express services can reduce total time to 5-7 days.

Common UK documents requiring attestation include degree certificates and academic transcripts, birth and marriage certificates, police clearance (ACRO certificates), professional qualifications, company documents, and powers of attorney. Any UK-issued document intended for official use in UAE typically requires attestation.

No. You can send your UK documents to us or directly to our UK partner. We coordinate FCDO Apostille, UAE Embassy legalization in London, and arrange secure courier to Dubai for MOFA completion. The entire process can be managed remotely while you remain in UAE.

Documents issued in Scotland or Northern Ireland follow the same FCDO Apostille process as English and Welsh documents. The FCDO handles apostille for all UK jurisdictions. However, some documents may require preliminary certification from Scottish or Northern Irish authorities before FCDO processing.

Photocopies, unsigned documents, and certain private documents need a UK solicitor to certify them before FCDO will apostille. Original signed documents from official bodies (universities, GRO, Companies House) usually do not need this step. We advise on requirements for your specific document.

Yes, for most UAE government submissions. UK documents are in English, but UAE authorities typically require Arabic translation by an MOJ-certified translator. We provide combined attestation and translation services so your document arrives ready for immediate submission.

HEDD (Higher Education Degree Datacheck) is the UK degree verification service operated by Jisc. Some UAE employers and professional bodies require HEDD verification alongside attestation to confirm degree authenticity. HEDD verification is separate from FCDO apostille—apostille confirms the document is genuine for international use, while HEDD confirms the qualification details with the issuing university. For employment visas requiring professional licensing, both may be needed.

Yes. The FCDO handles apostille for documents from all UK jurisdictions: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The apostille process is the same regardless of which part of the UK issued the document. Some Scottish documents (like marriage certificates from the National Records of Scotland) may have different formatting but follow the same FCDO apostille pathway. We handle documents from all UK regions.

The Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man) have their own apostille authorities separate from FCDO. Jersey documents require Bailiffs Chambers attestation, Guernsey documents go through the Royal Court, and Isle of Man documents require General Registry processing. These follow different procedures than mainland UK documents. Contact us with your specific document origin for correct processing guidance.

ACRO Criminal Records Office issues police certificates for UK residents and former residents. Apply online through the ACRO website with your fingerprints and identification. Processing takes approximately 10-15 working days. ACRO certificates are valid for 6 months from issue date, so plan your attestation timing carefully. Once received, the ACRO certificate follows the standard FCDO apostille chain before UAE Embassy attestation.

Costs include FCDO apostille fees (varies by service level—standard or premium same-day), UAE Embassy London attestation fees, MOFA UAE fees, and service fees for coordination and handling. Solicitor certification adds additional cost if required for your document type. We provide complete cost estimates before starting your attestation so there are no surprises. Express processing incurs additional fees at each stage.

Photocopies require solicitor certification before FCDO will apply an apostille. A UK solicitor must certify the photocopy as a true copy of the original, and this certified copy can then be apostilled. This is common for degree certificates when you need to retain the original. The solicitor certification adds a step to the process but allows attestation of copies. We coordinate solicitor certification as part of our service.