To notarize documents for use abroad from the UAE, you sign before a UAE notary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attests the notarized document digitally, and the destination country's embassy legalizes it where that country requires it. A translation may follow. Expats and companies sending POAs, affidavits and resolutions overseas use this route; Wordcraft drafts, books the notary and runs the later steps.
The Route: Notary, MOFA (Digital), Destination Embassy
- Draft: we write the document in the language the destination expects, usually English, and often bilingual with Arabic so the UAE notary can read it.
- UAE notarization: at Dubai Courts, a licensed private notary, the MOJ e-Notary, ADJD or another competent notary, in person or by video.
- MOFA attestation: the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attests the notarized document electronically, and the certificate can be verified online. See MOFA attestation.
- Destination embassy or consulate in the UAE: legalizes the document for use in its country, where that country asks for it. See embassy attestation.
- Translation: into the destination language if the receiving office needs it.
Unsure whether your case calls for notarization, attestation or both? Read the difference between notarization and attestation.
Country Routes at a Glance
The table covers the destinations we handle most often for documents signed in the UAE. It is a general map, not a rulebook: embassies set their own requirements, and we confirm the route for your document in writing.
| Destination | Common documents | UAE notary | UAE MOFA | Embassy or consulate in the UAE | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | Property and bank POAs, affidavits, consent letters | Yes, in person or by video | Digital attestation, verifiable online | Indian mission, directly or through its appointed service center; confirmed per document | Only if the receiving office asks for another language |
| Philippines | Special POAs, affidavits, consent for minors | Yes, in person or by video | Digital attestation, verifiable online | Philippine embassy or consulate; confirmed per document | Only if the receiving office asks for another language |
| Pakistan | POAs, affidavits, family declarations | Yes, in person or by video | Digital attestation, verifiable online | Pakistan embassy or consulate; confirmed per document | Only if the receiving office asks for another language |
| United Kingdom | Company documents, declarations | Yes, in person or by video | Digital attestation, verifiable online | Where the receiving UK authority requires it; confirmed per document | Not usually needed for English text |
| United States | POAs, declarations, company documents | Yes, in person or by video | Digital attestation, verifiable online | Where the receiving US authority requires it; confirmed per document | Not usually needed for English text |
| Egypt | POAs, family and company declarations | Yes, in person or by video | Digital attestation, verifiable online | Egyptian embassy or consulate; confirmed per document | Arabic text usually serves; confirmed per document |
Embassy procedures and outsourced service centers change without much notice, so we check the current route, and any wording the foreign office insists on, before you sign. Sending a POA to India? See power of attorney for India.
The UAE Is Not in the Apostille Convention: What That Means
Many countries accept a single apostille certificate in place of embassy legalization. The UAE has not joined the Hague Apostille Convention, so no UAE authority can apostille a document. Paperwork signed here goes through the full chain above, notary then MOFA then the destination embassy, even when the destination itself uses apostilles for documents from member states. More detail in our apostille guide.
Translation Into the Destination Language
A document heading to a country that works in French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Russian or another language may need a translation, and some authorities want it certified in their own country. We work in 150+ languages and tell you whether the translation belongs before or after legalization for that destination. See our translation services.
What We Need From You Before Signing
- ID for every signatory: Emirates ID for residents, passport for visitors, originals on the day
- The foreign authority's checklist or template, if it has sent you one
- Papers the deed refers to: title deeds abroad, company records, bank details, a child's passport
- For a company signing: its UAE trade license, MOA and a board resolution naming the signatory
Planning the Chain Before You Sign
We plan backwards from the foreign office that will read the document. Your written quote, sent within 10–30 minutes, sets out every step for your destination. Once you approve the draft, you sign before the notary in person or by video; we then take the notarized document through MOFA and the embassy and keep you updated at each stage. The finished document is couriered to you or straight to the recipient abroad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a UAE notarized document be used abroad directly?
Rarely. Most receiving countries want MOFA attestation first and then legalization by their own embassy in the UAE.
Can I get an apostille in the UAE?
No. Because the UAE sits outside the Apostille Convention, its documents are legalized through MOFA and the destination embassy instead.
Is MOFA attestation still a sticker?
No. MOFA now issues a digital attestation that the recipient can verify online.
Can I sign by video and still use the document abroad?
Often, yes: an e-notarized document can go through MOFA and the embassy. A few embassies prefer an in-person notarization, and we check that before you book.
Does every country need the embassy step?
No. Some receiving authorities accept the MOFA-attested document as it is, while others require legalization by their embassy. We confirm this for your country and document.
How long does the full chain take?
It depends mostly on the embassy. The timing for your destination is confirmed in your written quote, and you can follow each stage online.
Last updated: September 2026
