Legalising personal documents in the UAE
The UAE doesn't recognise an apostille from any country in the world: a foreign document is accepted only after consular (full) legalisation. We run two routes — through the UAE and through Russia — which differ in price, timing and where the original has to go.
Packages
Through the UAE
The original is handed in at the Dubai office. Attestation at MOFA, a notarised copy, legal translation. About a month.
Through the issuing country
The original or a notarised copy is handed in at our partner's office in the issuing country: translation, the Ministry of Justice, the Foreign Ministry, the UAE consulate. Two weeks.
We fix the exact package after reviewing your case. You pay the expert directly.
The terms the expert works on
Guarantees the outcome by contract
Writes the outcome and the timeline for every service — including opening a bank account — into the contract, and answers for them.
Bills in stages
You do not pay the whole sum up front: invoices come in instalments as each stage closes.
Fixes the price in the contract
The cost is locked in and does not grow as the work goes on. Prices on the site are indicative — the final figure comes after your case is reviewed.
Charges no hidden fees
No penalties or surcharges beyond the contract. No Pactors markup either: you pay the expert their own price.
Works with lawyers of 8+ years in UAE law
The licence for your activity is matched, and the requirements worked through, by qualified lawyers.
Thinks a step ahead
Picks the zone and the licence so that a year from now you do not hit a limit and have to redo the whole thing.
Deals with authorities directly
Handles government bodies, free zones and UAE banks personally — no chain of subcontractors.
What the service includes
| Full consular legalisation of the document, without you queueing | |
| Legal translation of a standard document (a marriage or birth certificate, a diploma) into English or Arabic | |
| Attestation at the UAE MOFA and at the consulate | |
| Shipping the document between countries— billed separately | |
| Translating “long” documents beyond the standard ones: a diploma transcript with grades, powers of attorney — $30 a page from Russian into English or Arabic, $60 a page from Arabic into Russian— billed separately |
Documents and programme requirements
- 1The original document (for the Russian route a notarised copy will do)
- 2A copy of your passport — so the translator spells your name exactly as it appears there
- 3For a translation into Arabic where you hold an Emirates ID — a copy of it, so the name matches the spelling on the ID
Frequently asked questions
Will an apostille do?
Which language should it be translated into — English or Arabic?
Are a diploma and its transcript one document or two?
Is full legalisation always needed?
Documents from which countries do you legalise?
Obtaining and legalising documents: other options
Compare terms in other countries and delivery formats.
Related breakdowns
Opening a company in Dubai in 2026: steps and prices
A licence in 5 minutes for AED 1,370, the Invest in Dubai single window and what the Unified Licence really is. The real steps and the ones needing a trip.
UAE staff visas 2026: quotas and establishment card
You cannot hire in the UAE without an establishment card, a MoHRE file and a free visa quota. The order of steps, timelines and permits from AED 250.
UAE taxes 2026: 9% corporate tax and relief until 2029
UAE corporate tax: 0% up to AED 375,000 and 9% above it. Small business relief now runs to 2029. The 15% top-up only touches groups above €750m.
We'll check your case before you pay
Send an enquiry — we will check your case and help you arrange “Legalising personal documents in the UAE” in UAE. No markup on top.
We'll cover: whether you qualify, the full cost with fees, realistic timelines, the document list. If it's not for you, we'll say so.