The cost of MOFA attestation in the UAE varies depending on the type of document, the purpose of attestation, and whether the application is submitted online or in person. While many applicants assume the MOFA fee is the only expense, there are often additional costs related to prior attestations, translations, and courier services. Understanding the complete pricing structure helps individuals and businesses budget accurately and avoid unexpected charges. This FAQ breaks down all possible fees involved in the MOFA attestation process and explains why costs may differ from one document to another.
1. Official MOFA Attestation Fees in the UAE
MOFA’s standard attestation fees depend on the category of the document:
A. Personal Documents
These include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Divorce papers
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical certificates
MOFA Fee:
AED 150 per document
B. Educational Certificates
This includes:
- Diplomas
- Degrees
- Transcripts
- School certificates
MOFA Fee:
AED 150 per document
C. Commercial / Business Documents
This category includes:
- Contracts
- Invoices
- Certificates of origin
- Power of attorney
- Corporate agreements
- Trade licenses and legal documents
MOFA Fee:
AED 2,000 per document
D. Online Submission Fees
If attested online (via MOFA website/app), the fee remains the same, but:
- Additional service charges may be generated by the platform or payment gateway
MOFA fees are fixed by the government, but extra charges depend on the nature of the service.
2. Additional Costs Before MOFA Attestation
Most of the expenses occur before you reach MOFA. These charges vary by country and document type.
A. Home Country Attestation Fees
Before coming to MOFA UAE, the document must be attested in the issuing country. This may include:
- Notary attestation
- Ministry of Education or Higher Education verifications
- Foreign Ministry attestation
Costs differ by country:
- South Asian countries: AED 50–300 equivalent
- Middle East: AED 100–200
- Europe & North America: AED 150–600
B. UAE Embassy Attestation in Home Country
The UAE Embassy charges differ per document type and issuing country:
- Personal documents: AED 150–400 equivalent
- Educational documents: AED 150–600 equivalent
- Commercial documents: AED 500–2,000 equivalent
Some embassies offer urgent services at additional cost.
C. Translation Fees
If the document is not in English or Arabic, it must be legally translated.
- AED 50 to AED 120 per page (for standard documents)
- AED 150 to AED 300 per page (technical/legal documents)
Using unauthorized translation services may result in MOFA rejection.
3. Optional but Common Additional Costs
A. Typing/Service Center Charges
Applicants often use typing centers to avoid mistakes, especially for online MOFA applications.
- AED 20–50 for form entry
- AED 50–100 for document submission assistance
B. Courier or Delivery Charges
If using courier delivery from your home country:
- AED 50–150 local courier
- AED 200–400 international courier
Some applicants pay extra for return delivery service.
C. Embassy Appointment Fees
Some embassies require:
- Appointment fees
- Token fees
- Administrative charges
The cost varies widely and is controlled by the issuing country.
D. Urgent or VIP Services
While MOFA itself does not officially charge for urgent services, some centers offer:
- Priority counters
- Faster processing windows
These may cost:
- AED 50–150 extra
4. Factors That Influence Total Attestation Costs
A. Number of Documents
More documents mean higher cumulative fees.
B. Purpose of Attestation
Certain purposes (like commercial use) require higher fees compared to personal use.
C. Document Condition
Damaged or outdated documents may require:
- Re-issuance
- Extra verification
- Longer translation work
D. Country of Origin
Countries with complex verification processes may have:
- Higher ministry fees
- Mandatory notarization
- Multiple stamp stages
E. Urgency Level
If a document is required immediately, applicants may need to use:
- Express attestation
- Priority translation
- Faster international courier services
All of these increase the total cost.
5. Estimated Total Attestation Cost for Different Categories
Below is a general estimate combining all stages (Home Country → Embassy → MOFA):
A. Personal Documents
AED 300 – 800 (depending on country and translation needs)
B. Educational Certificates
AED 400 – 1,200 (including HEC or university verification)
C. Commercial Documents
AED 2,500 – 4,000 (due to higher embassy and MOFA fees)
These ranges are averages; actual costs depend on the specific case.
MOFA attestation fees in the UAE are straightforward AED 150 for personal and educational documents, and AED 2,000 for commercial ones. However, applicants should be aware of additional costs related to home country attestations, embassy stamps, translations, courier services, and typing center charges. Understanding the full pricing structure ensures proper budgeting and prevents surprise expenses during the attestation journey.