Fees and steps checked on
Hong Kong certificate attestation makes a Hong Kong degree, birth or marriage certificate, power of attorney or company document valid for a UAE visa, job or licence in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or any other emirate. Hong Kong applies the Hague Apostille Convention and issues apostilles through its own High Court Registry. The UAE is not a member, so the apostille is only the Hong Kong step. After it, the UAE Consulate General in Hong Kong attests the document, and MOFA attestation completes the chain.
Price: There is no fixed price for Hong Kong. Send a copy on WhatsApp and you get the total price plus VAT, all official fees included, before any work starts. See attestation fees.
We are a private document service in Bur Dubai. We are not MOFA, an embassy or a government office. We plan the route, manage the file and offer free document pickup and delivery anywhere in Dubai.
How the Hong Kong route differs
In most countries the foreign ministry stamps a document before the UAE embassy. Hong Kong has no foreign ministry of its own, and documents issued there do not go to the Chinese foreign ministry in Beijing. Instead, the Apostille Service Office at the High Court Registry authenticates the signature on the document. For the UAE, that apostille takes the place of the foreign ministry step, and the UAE Consulate General in Hong Kong attests it.
The Hong Kong to UAE attestation route
- Notary, where needed. The High Court apostilles two kinds of document: public documents signed by a recognised Hong Kong government officer, such as birth, marriage and business registration certificates, and documents signed by a Hong Kong notary public or Commissioner for Oaths. A university degree, transcript or private company paper usually goes to a notary public first, who certifies it.
- High Court apostille. The Apostille Service Office at the High Court Registry in Admiralty issues the apostille. Paper applications are booked by online appointment, and enrolled notaries can use the e-Apostille service.
- UAE Consulate General in Hong Kong. The consular section in Wan Chai attests documents for individuals and companies. Whether it issues a paper stamp or a digital attestation that already includes MOFA is confirmed from your copy.
- MOFA in the UAE. The final stamp, if the consulate's attestation does not already include it.
Hong Kong documents and their usual steps
| Document | Group | Usual steps in Hong Kong | UAE steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| University degree, transcript | Educational | Notary public, High Court apostille | UAE Consulate General, MOFA |
| HKDSE or school certificate | Educational | Notary public or issuing body, apostille | UAE Consulate General, MOFA |
| Birth certificate | Personal | Immigration Department copy, apostille | UAE Consulate General, MOFA |
| Marriage certificate | Personal | Marriage registry copy, apostille | UAE Consulate General, MOFA |
| Power of attorney, declaration | Personal or commercial | Notary public, apostille | UAE Consulate General, MOFA |
| Business registration, company documents | Commercial | Registry or notary, apostille | UAE Consulate General, MOFA (commercial fee) |
Fees in one place
Our quote includes all official fees, Hong Kong and UAE, plus the notary and courier, so you see one total figure before you decide.
Language: English or Chinese
MOFA accepts documents in Arabic or English. Most Hong Kong certificates are bilingual in English and Chinese and need no translation. A document only in Chinese needs a certified translation. If a UAE court or ministry also wants Arabic, we arrange legal translation in Dubai at the end.
Already in the UAE?
The notary, the High Court and the consulate all need the original in Hong Kong, so it travels by courier or a relative hands it in, then comes back attested. MOFA lets anyone apply on your behalf at the UAE end. Documents from mainland China, including degrees from mainland universities, follow a different chain on China certificate attestation.
Common problems with Hong Kong documents
- Apostille only. The most common mistake. A document with an apostille and no UAE consulate stamp is refused in the UAE.
- Degree sent straight to the High Court. A university signature is not one the High Court can apostille, so the notary step comes first.
- Mainland and Hong Kong mixed up. A degree from a mainland university does not go through Hong Kong, even if you live there.
- Name spelling. Cantonese romanisation can differ between documents. Match the passport used for the UAE visa.
- Lamination. MOFA does not attest laminated documents.
For a degree used for a work permit, see degree certificate attestation. Other routes are on attestation by country.
