Service Guide
Attestation & Translation
Official document attestation, certified Arabic translation, apostille coordination, and UAE MOFA authentication for government submissions, bank applications, and legal use.
What we handle
UAE Embassy Attestation
Authentication of foreign documents by the UAE embassy or consulate in the issuing country — required for documents from non-apostille countries and as a step before MOFA attestation.
- •Degree certificates
- •Company incorporation documents
- •Marriage and birth certificates
MOFA Attestation
Final UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication stamp, required for virtually all foreign documents submitted to UAE authorities, free zones, banks, and courts.
- •After embassy attestation or apostille
- •DLD submissions
- •DIFC court filings
Apostille
Single-authority certification accepted by UAE for documents from Hague Convention member countries — replaces the UAE embassy attestation step and significantly shortens the chain.
- •UK, US, European country documents
- •Company good standing letters
- •Court orders
Certified Arabic Translation
MOJ-approved translation by a UAE Ministry of Justice-licensed office. Required for all non-Arabic documents submitted to UAE authorities. Translation is stamped and sealed by the licensed translator.
- •Visa applications
- •DLD property transfer
- •Professional licensing (DHA, MOH, HAAD)
Documents commonly attested
| Document type | Typical use in UAE |
|---|---|
| Degree / diploma | Professional licensing (DHA, MOH, engineering boards) |
| Marriage certificate | Spouse visa, family sponsorship documents |
| Birth certificate | Child visa, family sponsorship, school enrolment |
| Police clearance certificate | Residency visa, professional licensing |
| Certificate of Incorporation | Banking, DIFC registration, free zone filings |
| Certificate of Good Standing | Corporate banking, UAE authority submissions |
| Power of Attorney | Property transactions, corporate authorisations, legal matters |
| Court judgment or order | DIFC Courts recognition, legal proceedings |
How the process works
Document review and chain mapping
You submit your documents and their intended use. Sonsoto identifies the issuing country, document type, and the exact attestation chain required — including whether apostille is available.
Overseas coordination (if required)
Where home-country notarisation, state authentication, or embassy attestation is needed, Sonsoto coordinates with trusted agents in the issuing country. You receive status updates at each step.
UAE MOFA attestation
Sonsoto handles submission to and collection from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. MOFA processing times are typically 3–5 business days.
Certified Arabic translation
Documents not in Arabic are sent to a MOJ-approved translation office. The certified translation is produced with the official translator seal and licence number.
Delivery
Attested originals and certified translations are delivered to you physically (for originals) and digitally (for certified copies). Documents are stored in your Sonsoto vault for reuse.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between apostille and embassy attestation?
An apostille is a single certification issued by a designated authority in the document's home country under the Hague Convention. It replaces the UAE embassy step for documents from member countries. Embassy attestation is required for documents from non-Hague countries and follows a longer chain: notarisation → state authentication → UAE embassy. Both require UAE MOFA attestation as a final step in most cases.
How long does attestation take?
For apostille-country documents, UAE-side steps (MOFA) take 3–7 business days. Full embassy attestation chains including overseas coordination typically take 2–6 weeks depending on the issuing country. Sonsoto gives you a specific estimate at intake based on your documents and country.
Does the certified Arabic translation need to be done after attestation?
For most purposes, yes — the translation is produced from the attested original (so the translator is working from the authenticated document). However, for some uses (banking, initial visa intake), translation can proceed in parallel. Sonsoto coordinates the sequencing based on the specific use case.
Can Sonsoto handle documents from any country?
Sonsoto handles attestation for documents from most countries through a network of trusted overseas agents. Some countries with limited UAE consular presence have longer timelines. Sonsoto advises on country-specific timelines and alternatives at intake.
Are the original documents returned to me?
Yes. Original documents are returned once the attestation chain is complete. Sonsoto tracks custody throughout and can use certified copies where originals are not strictly required (reducing the risk of losing originals in transit).
Ready to start attestation?
Open a case and upload your documents. Sonsoto maps the attestation chain and manages every step.