Legalising UK Documents for the United Arab Emirates (UAE): A Complete Guide to Notarisation, Legalisation and UAE Embassy Attestation
- S Najam
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated for 2026
If you need to use a UK document in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is essential to ensure that it has been properly authenticated before it is presented to the relevant authority.
Whether your document is intended for use in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah or Umm Al Quwain, the receiving authority may require one or more stages of authentication before it will recognise the document.
At Staple Inn Notaries, we regularly assist private individuals, businesses, solicitors and international organisations with the notarisation and legalisation of UK documents for use throughout the UAE.
This guide explains the process, the documents commonly involved and how we can help.
Do Documents for the UAE Need to Be Notarised?
Not always.
Whether notarisation is required depends on:
the type of document;
who issued it;
the purpose for which it will be used; and
the requirements of the authority in the UAE requesting the document.
Some UK public documents may not require notarisation before legalisation, while many private documents—such as Powers of Attorney, company documents and declarations—commonly do.
Before proceeding, we will advise you on the appropriate legalisation route for your specific document.
Common Documents Used in the UAE
We regularly assist with the legalisation of documents including:
Personal Documents
Powers of Attorney
Passport copies
Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Death certificates
Change of name deeds
Divorce documents
DBS certificates
ACRO Police Certificates
Academic certificates
Professional qualifications
Business Documents
Certificates of Incorporation
Certificates of Good Standing
Articles of Association
Board resolutions
Shareholder resolutions
Commercial contracts
Company powers of attorney
Certificates of incumbency
Financial documents
Export documentation
The Legalisation Process for the UAE
Although every matter is different, documents commonly pass through the following stages where applicable.
Stage | Purpose |
Review of the document | To determine the correct legalisation route |
Notarisation (where required) | Authentication by an English Notary |
UK legalisation | Authentication by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), where applicable |
UAE Embassy attestation | Authentication by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in London, where required |
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation | May be required after the document arrives in the UAE, depending on the receiving authority |
The precise requirements depend upon the nature of the document and the organisation requesting it.
What Is UAE Embassy Attestation?
Following notarisation (where required) and UK legalisation, many documents intended for use in the UAE must also be presented to the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in London for attestation.
Embassy attestation confirms the authenticity of the document for use within the UAE legal system.
In some cases, an additional attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs may also be required once the document reaches the UAE.
Do I Need an Apostille?
Many clients ask whether they simply need an Apostille.
The answer depends on the document and the receiving authority.
For documents intended for the UAE, UK legalisation by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is commonly required before UAE Embassy attestation can take place.
We will advise you on the correct sequence after reviewing your documents.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The overall timescale depends upon:
the type of document;
whether notarisation is required;
FCDO processing times;
UAE Embassy processing times; and
whether further attestation is required after the document reaches the UAE.
Where your matter is urgent, we will discuss the available options and aim to complete the process as efficiently as possible.
Common Reasons Documents Are Delayed
Many delays can be avoided by ensuring that the correct procedure is followed from the outset.
Common issues include:
submitting incomplete documents;
failing to obtain notarisation where required;
using uncertified copies where originals are needed;
incorrect names or inconsistent information;
unsigned documents; and
misunderstanding the legalisation requirements of the receiving authority.
Reviewing your documents before submission often saves considerable time and expense.
Can I Arrange Everything from the UK?
Yes.
Whether you are based in England, Wales or overseas, we can advise you on the appropriate legalisation process for your documents before they are submitted.
Many matters can be dealt with efficiently through advance document review, allowing the legalisation process to begin without unnecessary delay.
Why Choose Staple Inn Notaries?
We regularly assist clients requiring documents for use throughout the UAE.
Our services include:
professional notarisation;
document certification;
Powers of Attorney;
company documentation;
FCDO legalisation guidance;
UAE Embassy attestation guidance;
international document preparation; and
practical advice throughout the legalisation process.
Our objective is to ensure that your documents are prepared correctly the first time, reducing delays and helping you complete your transaction as smoothly as possible.
Order Your Legalisation Online
If you require UK documents to be prepared for use in the United Arab Emirates, our online ordering service makes the process straightforward.
Whether your documents require notarisation, legalisation or further embassy attestation, we will review your requirements and advise you on the correct procedure.
Order your legalisation online today:
If you are unsure which form of authentication your document requires, simply contact us before placing your order and we will be pleased to assist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all UK documents require notarisation for use in the UAE?
No. Whether notarisation is required depends on the type of document and the requirements of the receiving authority in the UAE.
Is UK legalisation required?
Many documents intended for use in the UAE require legalisation by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office before further attestation can take place.
Do I also need UAE Embassy attestation?
Many documents do, but the exact requirements depend on the document and its intended use within the UAE.
Can you arrange the entire process?
Yes. We can advise on the appropriate legalisation route and assist with the notarisation and legalisation of your documents.
Can businesses use your service?
Absolutely. We regularly assist companies with corporate documents, commercial agreements, board resolutions and Powers of Attorney for use throughout the UAE.
About Staple Inn Notaries
Staple Inn Notaries is a Central London notarial practice advising individuals, businesses and international organisations on the preparation of UK documents for use overseas. We provide professional notarial services, document certification and guidance on legalisation procedures for jurisdictions throughout the world, including the United Arab Emirates. Our aim is to provide an efficient, responsive and professional service tailored to every client's international legal requirements.
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