It is mandatory for businesses in the UAE to have their documents attested in order to incorporate. The attestation services will revolve around certain commercial documents:

• Invoices: The attestation process will have to be done for all kinds of invoices, be it an export invoice or a general invoice. 
• Certificates: Necessary documents like certificates that prove the existence of the company have to be attested. These documents include the certificate of origin, certificate of incorporation, share certificate, change of company name certificate, certificate of good standing, etc. 
• Agreements and Memorandums: Attestation of Agreements that are vital for the business. Contract agreements between the franchise and partners, Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association, etc. All these documents require authentication and an official seal through authorized personnel. 
• Reports: Proper management analysis reports, financial analysis reports, and such reports have to be authenticated and authorized by personnel. 
• Documents concerning the board of directors and relevant documents have to be attested by personnel.
• Power of Attorney documents, which state the ownership of the company or the business entity, have to be affiliated with the relevant department of the company and be attested by a relevant authority.
• Trade license also requires validation of proper authority, which means attesting to it with the signature of the concerned person of authority. Without such a validation, the trade license is non-existent. 

Things to Know While Attesting Documents in UAE

Attestation is an important need when it comes to starting a business in the UAE. The entire procedure is simplified and easy for business entrepreneurs to follow. Let us look into the different steps of the attestation process put forward by the authorities in the UAE.

• Notary attestation

The first step in the attestation process is called notary attestation. The procedure requires you to have your documents to be notarized by a local body. In this case, a local government official from your home country can attest your document under notary attestation. 

• HRD attestation

HRD attestation is mainly done to authorize the genuineness of your educational documents. The HRD Office is present in each state or county. In order for the External Affairs ministry to validate your document, an authentication has to be provided from the HRD office where your university or educational institute was placed.

• MEA attestation

Once the document has been validated by both notary bodies and the HRD office, the next step is to obtain authorization from the Ministry of External Affairs. As far as the earlier attestation processes are concerned, attestation is easier at MEA. 

• UAE embassy attestation

After the approval from MEA, the authenticity of the documents are re-evaluated at the UAE embassy level. The reliability of the documents is thus ensured by the UAE Embassy. This is necessary if you are looking forward to working in the UAE. 

• MOFA or Ministry of Foreign Affairs, attestation

MOFA is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE. MOFA attestation is an essential step that has to be done before moving ahead with the visa application.

How to choose the best consultant/company that provides attestation services?

Attestation services range from commercial documents to individual documents. The attestation service confirms the validity of the seal and signature on the documents. The genuineness of the documents is thus decided. 

Individual documents attestation include: educational certificates, birth certificates, death certificates, medical reports, good conduct certificates, marriage certificates, court issues certificates, powers of attorney, employment contracts, employment offer letters, bank statements , personal tax certificates, etc.

Commercial document attestation includes: contracts or agreements, commercial registration, the appointment of a manager or director, brand registration, distribution agreements, corporate insurance certificates, corporate tax certificates, financial documents, product registration, patent registration, or any other documents of a commercial nature. 

Instructions to be followed while attesting documents are as follows:

Documents issued inside of the UAE:

• Original documents have to be attested by the governing government. 
• Apply for attestation in the UAE through MoFAIC online channels.
• Include the attested document. If attested digitally, attach a copy.
• Documents then have to be attested by one of the embassies.

Document issues outside of the UAE:

• Original document to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country. 
• By submitting an application through the MoFAIC online channels, a document can then be attested by a UAE Embassy or Consulate in the country of issue.
• By submitting an application for attestation through online channels, documents must be attested in the UAE. Please include the original, attested.

Why Choose StartBiz for Finding an Attestation Service Provider in UAE?

StartBiz is an online directory that certainly knows the demands of business all over the UAE. The attestation service provider listings that they have collected will suit the needs of every business owner in the UAE. They have made sure that attestation service providers in all premium locations all over the UAE are enlisted on their website.