Transfer certificate attestation is the official law of endorsing a school or educational transfer certificate in order to make it be accepted by the UAE authorities. The issuance of a transfer certificate out of the UAE must be attested to in order to do any of the following tasks (edification, immigration, or simply official) in the country.
The signature will verify the authenticity of the document, that it was signed by an established institution and that it can be legally used in the UAE.
To obtain a more comprehensive insight into the process of document legalization, consult our full-fledged guide to attestation services in UAE, which deals with personal documents, educational and commercial ones.
Is Transfer Certificate Attestation Necessary in UAE?
Transfer certificate attestation is normally needed in:
College or school admissions in the UAE.
Students mobility between educational institutions.
Dependent or family visa application.
Reasons of immigration or relocation.
Education certification sought by UAE officials.
Transfer certificates without attachments are not commonly accepted in educational institutions within UAE.
Notary Public UAE
Contact our Notary Public Dubai team for fast and reliable notary services in the UAE.
Attestation of Transfer Certificates in UAE
In case the transfer certificate is issued outside of UAE, the standard attestation process is followed in the following sequence:
- Step 1: Attestation in the country of issueThe transfer certificate has to be certified by the competent authority in the country in which the certificate has been issued. This can involve verification by the school board, attestation by the notary as well as authorization by the foreign affairs department.
- Step 2: Attestation of the UAE Embassy or ConsulateOnce verified at home country, the certificate should be attested by the UAE embassy or consulate in the home country where it is issued.
- Step 3: Certified Legal Translation (Where Necessary)When there is no transfer certificate in English or Arabic, then the same should be translated by a certified legal translator and provided in UAE.
- Step 4: MOFA Attestation in UAEThe last stage is the attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). This stamp renders the transfer certificate to be legally binding in UAE institutions.
Our UAE attestation services can coordinate the entire process that requires coordination with embassies and MOFA.
Paperwork to Attestate Transfer Certificate
STD Checklist:
First issue transfer certificate.
Copy of the passport of the student or applicant.
Passport copy of parents or guardian (minor).
UAE residence visa or Emirates ID (where necessary).
Registered translation in law (where necessary).
Permission letter when documents are sent by a delegate.
Important Notes:
Damaged certificates or torn ones are frequently dissatisfied.
The certificate name should be equivalent to the passport name.
The issue of certificates being issued by unrecognized institutions can be not accepted.
UAE Transfer Certificate Attestation Fees
| Cost Component | Typical Fee |
| MOFA attestation | AED 150 (personal/educational documents) |
| UAE Embassy or Consulate | Varies by country |
| Certified legal translation | Varies |
| Courier or service handling | Optional |
There is a charge based on the country and state of document. Charges should always be confirmed prior to submission.
Processing Time of Transfer Certificate Attestation
| Stage | Estimated Time |
| Checking of the issuing country | 3-10 working days |
| UAE Embassy or Consulate | 2-5 working days |
| UAE MOFA Attestation | 0-3 working days |
| Total Estimated Time | 7-15 working days |
The processing times can be prolonged in the event there is need to correct or re-verify the documents.
Examples of Rejection Reasons
Lack of attestation of the UAE Embassy.
The order attestation is in the wrong order.
Mismatch of name in the certificate and passport.
Uncertified translation.
Certificates that are laminated or modified.
DIY vs. Professional Support Attestation
| Option | Appropriate To | Risk Level |
| Self-submission | Simple cases, sufficient time | High |
| Professional assistance | Complex or urgent cases | Low |
Professional assistance assists with the coordination of the embassies, submission to MOFA and accuracy of the documents. You may visit our full attestation services in UAE to have a glimpse of how the end to end document handling is done.
Notary Public UAE
Contact our Notary Public Dubai team for fast and reliable notary services in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are the transfer certificates attestation in the UAE mandatory?
Yes. The issue should be a complete attestation of an official acceptance of a transfer certificate in most schools and authorities in the UAE.
What is the closing process of the transfer certificate attestment in the UAE?
The final one is the certification of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
What is the MOFA charge of attesting a transfer certificate?
The certifying fee of MOFA on personal and academic documents is usually AED 150.
Certifies the translation certificates?
Yes, in the case of not presenting the certificate in English or Arabic. This translation would be certified in law.
Can anyone be allowed to present my certificate of transfer on my behalf?
Yes. A representative can forward the papers with the valid authorization letter.
Does the UAE accept apostilles of transfer certificates?
No. The UAE should have an embassy and an attestation from the MOFA. Rather, such an apostille is inadequate.
What is the average time of attestation of transfers in the UAE?
It takes a period of 7-15 working days, depending on the country, to be made.
Can the transfer certificates be attested when laminated?
Cerificates which are laminated are rejected and even reissued.