In February 2025, the UAE Embassy implemented changes to way they attest documents. As we often find with embassies, there was no advance warning or communication regarding the changes. They updated their website with increased fees and basic advice on how documents will now be attested.

What has changed?

In addition to the doubling of their fees, the main change will be the attestation will be added to a ‘scan’ of your document and provided by email.

This does NOT mean that the entire attestation process is now online. It is a hybrid approach to attesting documents. Partly digital, with a PDF, and also by submitting the physical document to the embassy!

This may seem a little unusual and confusing. Do not worry, we can help you with your attestation.

How are documents attested for the UAE?

• STEP 1 – The document will still need an apostille from the FCDO. This is a paper apostille added to the physical document. The UAE Embassy do not accept the e-apostille yet, as this secure file cannot be edited and further attestation added.
• STEP 2 – We submit the physical document with the apostille attached to the embassy.
• STEP 3 – They scan the document, making a PDF.
• STEP 4 – The attestation is added to the scan of the document
• STEP 5 – Attested documents are returned.
  • The attested scan is sent by email
  • The physical document, with the apostille attached, (no attestation on the physical document) is returned to you.

Your document is now attested.

• You still need an apostille. A paper apostille on your actual document.
• Your attestation is NOT on the document that has the apostille.
• This is a new process and it may confuse some organisations in the UAE. In time, it will be the norm and widely understood.
• You cannot get an attestation on the document with the apostille, so asking the embassy is futile as the new system is now in place.
  Conclusion
• The UAE move towards digital attestation is a hybrid solution to legalising documents. Aimed to improve the attestation process, it combines both paper applications and providing an electronic document with attestation.

Conclusion

The UAE move towards digital attestation is a hybrid solution to legalising documents. Aimed to improve the attestation process, it combines both paper applications and providing an electronic document with attestation.

Whatever your attestation needs, we can help with your documents. Working with solicitors, the FCDO Legalisation Office and the UAE Embassy, we make attesting documents as simple and quick as possible.

Do not hesitate to contact us for help attesting documents for the UAE.