Fees and steps checked on
MOFA attestation online is the only way to apply today: you sign in to the MOFA website or the UAE MOFA app with UAE PASS, pick the issuing authority and document type, pay, and either upload a digital document or book a courier to collect the paper original. An eligible UAE digital document is attested within 2 hours in working hours, and a paper document takes 1 to 3 business days by courier. Documents issued abroad use a separate online route through the UAE embassy.
Price: if we handle it for you, MOFA attestation of a UAE personal document is from AED 250 plus VAT and a commercial one from AED 2,600 plus VAT, all official fees included. See attestation fees.
Where to apply for MOFA attestation online
There are three online channels, and they all lead to the same service:
- The MOFA website, mofa.gov.ae, under Services, Attestation.
- The UAE MOFA smart app.
- UAE embassies and consulates abroad, for documents issued in their country.
Individuals sign in with UAE PASS. Companies sign in with the MOFA company login. MOFA's Customer Happiness Centres are closed, so there is no counter option. See MOFA attestation centres.
Which online route fits your document
| Your document | Online route | Usual time |
|---|---|---|
| UAE-issued digital PDF with a QR code, barcode, link or reference number | Digital attestation | within 2 hours in working hours |
| UAE-issued paper document | Courier attestation | 1 to 3 business days in the UAE |
| Document issued abroad | UAE missions abroad | usually 2 to 3 working days for the embassy and MOFA stage |
| Commercial invoice or certificate of origin | eDAS 2.0 | stated as about 2 minutes |
Step by step: courier route for a UAE paper document
- Get the issuing authority's attestation first. MOFA only accepts a document already attested by the authority that issued it.
- Sign in with UAE PASS on the MOFA website or app and open the attestation service.
- Confirm the document was issued in the UAE, then select the issuing authority and the document type.
- Enter delivery details for collection and return.
- Choose a courier. MOFA lists Aramex, Emirates Post, Zajel and Tawzea.
- Pay. The fee is shown before payment and depends on the number of documents, the attestations included and whether the document is personal or commercial.
- Hand over the original. The courier contacts you to collect it and brings it back attested.
Step by step: digital attestation
MOFA began piloting digital attestation of UAE electronic documents on about 27 April 2026. It is the fastest route if your document qualifies.
- Check the document. It must be the original digital PDF issued in the UAE, with a verification feature such as a QR code, and not password protected.
- Sign in with UAE PASS and choose the digital attestation route.
- Upload up to 5 documents on the same route in one application.
- Choose the destination country carefully. It cannot be changed later, and the application cannot be modified after submission.
- Pay and receive the attested PDF, usually within 2 hours during official working hours.
The attestation appears on the last page with a reference number, date, amount paid and a verification element. Read more about the MOFA stamp.
Online attestation for documents issued abroad
The UAE digital route does not apply to foreign documents. Instead, several UAE embassies run their own digital attestation, including those for the UK, the USA, Jordan and Nigeria:
- Your document gets its home-country stamps first, such as the foreign ministry legalisation or apostille.
- You apply on the MOFA website with UAE PASS and select the issuing country.
- You pay online and a MOFA-approved provider collects the original.
- You receive the document by email, digitally attested by both the UAE embassy and MOFA, ready for use in the UAE. The original comes back by courier.
There is no separate MOFA step in the UAE after this. Some countries still use the older paper route. See UAE embassy attestation and the UK and USA pages.
Times for online MOFA attestation
| Item | Usual time |
|---|---|
| Personal document | 2 hours (digital) or 1 to 3 business days (courier) |
| Commercial document | same |
| Commercial invoice (eDAS 2.0) | about 2 minutes |
| Aramex courier, normal / express | 3 working days / 1 working day |
| Emirates Post, normal / express | depends on courier |
Every official fee and the courier are included in the total price you get before any work starts.
If an application is rejected or not delivered, MOFA refunds it within 14 working days.
Common mistakes when applying online
- Uploading a scan. Scans and photos are not accepted on the digital route.
- Skipping the issuing authority. A UAE document without its first attestation is rejected.
- Wrong destination country. It cannot be changed after submission.
- Laminated originals. MOFA does not accept them on the courier route.
- Commercial invoices on the wrong route. They go through eDAS 2.0, not the attestation service.
Check the full MOFA attestation requirements before you apply, and confirm the result afterwards with MOFA attestation verification.
When it is easier to have us apply
The online system is quick when your document is ready. It gets harder when the document comes from abroad, needs a translation, or was rejected once already. We are a private service, not MOFA, and we file the application on your behalf as MOFA allows. See MOFA attestation for the full picture.
