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UAE Embassy Attestation in London (2025): Electronic Legalisation Explained

Effective 24 February 2025, the UAE Embassy in London and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) introduced a new system for document attestation. The traditional process of stamping paper copies has been replaced with Electronic Legalisation.

Instead of a stamped original, applicants now receive a secure PDF file that can be verified online at verify.mofa.gov.ae. This applies to all documents intended for official use in the United Arab Emirates, including business, educational, and personal papers.

Key Updates

  • Electronic only: Ink stamps and paper attestations are no longer issued.
  • Online verification: Each PDF carries a secure reference that can be confirmed at MoFA’s website.
  • No bundling: Each document must be processed individually, with the sole exception of a Certificate of Incorporation and its corresponding Certificate of Change of Name.
  • Foreign documents restricted: Only UK-issued documents are normally accepted. Exceptions apply to Iceland, British Overseas Territories, and Crown Dependencies.
  • Processing time: Standard timeframe is 5–8 working days. Delays may occur during Ramadan, Eid, or where further checks are required.
  • Fees: Charges vary by document type (personal, educational, corporate). See UAE Embassy London – Legalisation Fees.

Step-by-Step Process

  1. Document is certified by a UK solicitor or notary public.
  2. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) issues an Apostille.
  3. The Apostilled document is lodged with the UAE Embassy in London.
  4. The Embassy and MoFA apply Electronic Legalisation.
  5. A secure PDF is issued and may be downloaded and verified online.

Rules for Specific Documents

  • Companies House filings (e.g. IN01) must be legalised individually.
  • British Overseas Territories documents require Apostille in the territory of origin before submission in the UK.
  • Crown Dependencies (Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man) require a local Apostille before UAE legalisation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is UAE Electronic Legalisation?
It is the official replacement for paper-based attestation. Documents are legalised electronically and issued as secure PDFs.

How long does it take?
On average, 5–8 working days, subject to Embassy workload and religious holidays.

How much does it cost?
Fees differ depending on document type. Current rates are published on the UAE Embassy London website.

Can documents be bundled?
No. Each must be certified, Apostilled, and legalised separately, with very limited exceptions.

Can foreign documents be legalised?
Only under strict conditions. They must be authenticated by the issuing country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and subsequently notarised and Apostilled in the UK.

Is the electronic PDF valid in the UAE?
Yes. It has full legal recognition and can be verified online at verify.mofa.gov.ae.

Why Compliance Matters

The new system is designed to streamline verification but applies stricter controls. Submissions that fail to meet the updated requirements—such as bundling, uncertified copies, or improperly Apostilled foreign documents—will be rejected, resulting in additional cost and delay.

Professional Assistance

Ginkgo Advisory Limited provides a complete UAE legalisation service, ensuring documents are handled in accordance with the latest Embassy and MoFA requirements. Services include:

  • Certification by a UK solicitor
  • Apostille legalisation from the FCDO
  • UAE Embassy submission
  • Delivery of electronically legalised PDFs

This service covers business, educational, and personal documents, with bilingual (English and Chinese) support available.

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