A degree from a university that has closed, merged or changed its name can often still be attested, because the stamps go on your original certificate. The difficulty is any step where someone must confirm the degree is real. Before you start, find out who holds the university's records now: a successor university, a state agency or the education ministry.
Why does it matter that the university has closed?
For many routes, the first stamp does not involve the university. In the UK, for example, a qualification certificate is certified by a UK solicitor or notary before the FCDO legalises it. But three later checks can stall a degree from an institution that no longer exists:
- An education authority check in countries where the ministry of education confirms the degree before the foreign ministry.
- The UAE embassy's own rules. For US degrees, the embassy accepts only US institutions accredited by a recognised regional accreditor.
- Dataflow and MoHESR. Primary source verification asks the issuer to confirm the degree, and MoHESR's 2025 rules require the institution to have been legally established, licensed and accredited in its home country.
So the question is not "can it be stamped?" but "who will answer when someone asks?"
Who holds the records now?
| Situation | Who usually holds the records | What to ask them for |
|---|---|---|
| University renamed | The same institution | A letter confirming the former name and your record |
| Merged into another university | The successor university | A letter confirming the merger, your award and dates |
| Closed, UK | The body named on the HEDD look-up service | Confirmation of the award, and a transcript if available |
| Closed, USA | Often a state agency, such as Nevada's Commission on Postsecondary Education or Colorado's Department of Higher Education | An official transcript and enrolment confirmation |
| Closed, other countries | The ministry or regulator that licensed it | A verification letter on official letterhead |
| Closed UAE institution | MoHESR | The current position on attestation |
Not every closed college sent its records on. Maine and Washington, for example, both state that their collections are incomplete. If the custodian cannot find you, ask for that in writing too: it explains the gap to the next office.
For UAE institutions, Gulf Today reported in June 2021 that the Ministry of Education told its centres to suspend attestation for certificates of four closed universities until further notice. Check the current position before you pay for anything.
Step by step for a closed or merged university
- Check your original. It must be unlaminated and complete. If you only have a copy, read original or copy for attestation first.
- Find the custodian using the table above.
- Order transcripts and letters from the custodian: an official transcript, a letter confirming the merger or former name, and your dates of study.
- Run the home country chain with those letters kept alongside the certificate. Country routes are on degree certificate attestation.
- UAE embassy and MOFA. For the UK, USA and several other countries this is one digital step, usually 2 to 3 working days.
- Dataflow, if you need recognition. Give the custodian's verification contact, not the old university's address. See Dataflow verification.
- MoHESR recognition, only if a visa or employer asks for it. See equivalency certificate.
Transcripts from a successor body sometimes look different from the originals. That is normal; transcript attestation covers how they are handled.
What should the custodian's letter say?
A short, specific letter does more than a long one. Ask for it on official letterhead, signed and stamped, and check that it includes:
- Your full name exactly as it appears on the degree certificate
- The degree title, major and the date it was awarded
- The name of the institution when you studied, and its current name or the successor's name
- A clear statement that this body now holds the academic records
- A contact for verification requests, such as a registrar's address
Some UAE offices may want that letter attested as well, especially if it comes from a ministry rather than a university. We confirm this case by case before your file is sent.
What if nobody holds the records?
This is the hard case, and we will be straight with you. Attestation of the certificate itself may still be possible where the home country step certifies the document rather than asking the university. Verification and recognition are a different matter: if nobody can confirm the degree, the Dataflow report may come back as unable to verify, and MoHESR builds its decision on that report.
Before spending money, ask what the degree is for. An employer that only needs an attested certificate for a work permit may be fine. A golden visa that needs recognition may not be. We check this case by case, and if a file is refused, why attestation gets rejected explains the next options.
What costs to expect in 2026
Our total prices include every official fee and courier, plus 5% VAT: from AED 985 for a UK degree on the standard route (22 to 24 working days), AED 1,025 for a US degree (about 7 weeks), and from AED 1,900 for Canada (4 to 6 weeks). Letters and transcripts from a custodian may carry their own fee, which you see before any work starts. Any other country is quoted after you share a copy.
How we help
We find out who holds your university's records, tell you exactly which letters to request, and run the attestation once the file can pass every check. Send a photo of your degree and the university's name on WhatsApp for the exact steps and the total price before any work starts.
