Attestation
What Is MOFA? Meaning, Fees and Steps in the UAE
November 1, 20267 minute read
What is MOFA? It is the short name people use for the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in daily use it means one thing: the ministry's attestation stamp that makes a document accepted by UAE authorities or by another country. A notary public usually comes first, then the ministry. We have an in-house notary public at our Business Bay office, and we also work online or on a home visit.
Call or WhatsApp +971 50 264 8766 and we will tell you whether your document needs this step.
What Is MOFA: The Meaning in Plain Words
MOFA is how most people write the ministry's name. The attestation service page on the government site uses the name MOFAIC. When a bank, school, embassy or employer asks for "MOFA attestation", they mean a ministry stamp on your document.
The stamp does not say your document is true. It confirms that the signature, seal or official before it is recognised. That is why the order matters: the notary or issuing office comes first, and the ministry confirms that step.
Who Needs MOFA Attestation
You usually need it when a UAE document must be accepted in another country, or when a foreign document must be accepted here. Common examples are:
- Personal documents such as certificates and consent letters sent to a school, employer or embassy abroad.
- Powers of attorney that will be used outside the UAE.
- Company documents needed by a foreign bank or authority.
Check with the office that asked for the document before you start. Some offices want only a notarised copy, and then the ministry step is not needed.
Step by step
What Is MOFA Procedure: The Order of Steps
MOFAIC attests documents in the UAE. The exact chain depends on where the document came from and where it will go.
1
Prepare the document
It must be complete, with no blank fields. If it needs translation for official use, a legal translator registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice does it.
2
Notarisation or issuing-office check
For a document signed in Dubai, our in-house notary public notarises it at our Business Bay office, online or at a home visit.
3
MOFAIC attestation
The ministry attests the document in the UAE.
4
Embassy or consulate, if the document is going abroad
A document going abroad is attested by MOFAIC, then by the destination country's embassy or consulate in the UAE.
Documents Coming Into the UAE
The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. A foreign document is therefore attested in the issuing country, including at the UAE embassy there, and then by MOFAIC in the UAE.
Ask about your document
Tell us the document and how many people will sign, and we will give you the government fee and our starting price in one message.
Checklist
What Is MOFA Documents Required: What to Bring
Bring the following when you ask us to prepare a file:
Before you go
- The original document, or a notarised copy where a copy is allowed.
- Your passport or Emirates ID.
- A legal translation, if the receiving country needs one.
- Proof of authority, if you act for a company or another person.
Files are most often turned away for three reasons: blank fields, a signature added before the notary saw you sign, and a foreign document without its earlier attestation steps.
Watch for
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Attesting at the ministry before the notary step, so the chain is out of order.
- Signing at home before the notary has seen you sign.
- Sending a foreign document without its earlier attestation in the issuing country.
- Forgetting the legal translation the receiving office asked for.
Prices
What Is MOFA Fees: What You Pay
MOFAIC fees are AED 150 for personal documents. Commercial documents carry a higher ministry fee, and we give you the current figure when you send the document. A general or commercial power of attorney is a commercial document on the MOFAIC list. Translation, embassy and notary fees are separate.
Our own handling starts from AED 150 for a personal document and from AED 300 for a commercial document. A legal translation starts from AED 50 per page. Urgent handling is an add-on from AED 250, and courier pickup and delivery from AED 80.
All service prices are starting prices and are negotiable. Government fees are paid on top, at cost, exactly as the authority charges them. We confirm your final price before you pay.
What Is MOFA Processing Time
The ministry sets its own processing time, and we do not promise one. Ask us when you send the document, and we will tell you the next step and what the receiving office expects.
Remember the UAE government weekend is Saturday and Sunday, with Friday a half day, so plan your submission around it.
How We Help
We draft your document, handle the legal translation, and our in-house notary public notarises it, in person at our Business Bay office, online or at a home visit. Then we take your file through the attestation step. Home visit prices are quoted on request.
For the neighbouring steps, read our explainers on what attestation means, what legalisation means and what a notarised document is. If your document is foreign, see our guide to notary for foreign documents in Dubai.
How much does MOFA attestation cost?
MOFAIC charges AED 150 for personal documents, and commercial documents cost more. Our handling starts from AED 150 for a personal document and from AED 300 for a commercial one, and government fees are paid on top at cost.
How long does MOFA attestation take?
The ministry sets its own time and we do not promise one. Send us the document and we will tell you the next step.
What documents are required for MOFA attestation?
You need the original document, your passport or Emirates ID, and a legal translation where the receiving country asks for one. Tell us the document and where it will be used, and we confirm the rest.
Can MOFA attestation be done online?
Some steps can be done through online notary public services, which use the official channels such as the Ministry of Justice E-Notary System. We tell you which steps suit your document when you contact us.
Is MOFA the same as an apostille?
No. The UAE does not use the Hague apostille. Documents follow the attestation chain described above.
Guides
More guides
Explainer
Notary for foreign documents in Dubai: your consulate or a UAE notary
Need a notary for foreign documents in Dubai? When your consulate signs, when a UAE notary does, and what Indian, Filipino and British residents need.
Read more
Explainer
What is a notarized letter? UAE meaning and examples
A letter signed before a notary who checks your ID and adds an official endorsement. What it looks like and when you need one.
Read more
Explainer
Notary public certification in Dubai: signatures, copies and the notary's own status
Notary public certification explained: a certified signature, a certified copy, and how to check that a notary in Dubai is registered.
Read more
Talk to us
Next step
Call or WhatsApp +971 50 264 8766, or email help@notaryservicesindubai.com. Tell us the document and how many people will sign, and we will give you the government fee and our starting price in one message. Office appointments Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (Dubai time). WhatsApp answered 24/7. Our office is at 707 Burj Khalifa Blvd, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE.
More