How work moves
Translation and attestation process
How apostille, embassy, MOFA, and certified translation chains are sequenced.
Audience
Customers and operators handling foreign documents
How Sonsoto handles the attestation chain and certified translation for foreign documents.
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Why This Process Exists
UAE authorities, banks, free zones, and courts do not accept foreign documents at face value. Documents must pass through an attestation chain that proves their authenticity, and non-Arabic documents must be accompanied by a certified Arabic translation. Sonsoto manages this process end-to-end.
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The Attestation Chain
The chain depends on the issuing country and document type. The general pattern is:
Notarisation (home country)
↓
State / federal authentication (home country)
↓
UAE Embassy / Consulate attestation (in issuing country)
↓
UAE MOFA attestation (in UAE)Apostille-country shortcut: For countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention, the UAE accepts an apostille stamp in place of UAE embassy attestation. The MOFA attestation step in the UAE is still required for many document types.
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Sonsoto's Role in Attestation
- Requirement mapping: Sonsoto identifies the exact chain needed based on issuing country, document type, and intended UAE use.
- Agent coordination: Where overseas steps are required, Sonsoto works with trusted agents in the issuing country to complete notarisation, state authentication, and embassy attestation.
- UAE MOFA submission: Sonsoto handles MOFA attestation submission and collection in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
- Document custody: Original documents are tracked throughout the chain. If originals cannot leave the client's possession, Sonsoto advises on alternatives (certified copies, apostille on copy).
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Certified Arabic Translation
All non-Arabic documents used in UAE authority submissions must be accompanied by a certified Arabic translation produced by a Ministry of Justice-approved translation office.
Sonsoto's translation workflow:
- Receive the attested (or to-be-attested) original document.
- Send to a MOJ-approved translator with relevant expertise (legal, medical, corporate, etc.).
- Translated document is stamped with the translator's official seal and MOJ licence number.
- Sonsoto delivers the certified translation alongside the attested original.
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Common Scenarios
| Scenario | Chain Required | |---|---| | UK degree for DHA licensing | Notarise → UK FCO apostille → UAE MOFA | | US company incorporation certificate | Secretary of State apostille → UAE MOFA + certified translation | | Indian marriage certificate | State auth → MEA attestation → UAE Embassy India → UAE MOFA | | German power of attorney | Notarise → German federal auth → UAE Embassy Germany → UAE MOFA |
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Timelines
Apostille documents: 3–7 business days (UAE steps only) Embassy attestation chains: 2–6 weeks (including overseas steps) Certified translation: 2–5 business days per document
Sonsoto provides a specific estimate at intake based on the documents presented.
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Related Services
services/attestation-translation.md— Service overviewprocesses/intake.md— How attestation requirements surface during intake