Moving to Dubai from the UK can be exciting, but the document preparation can take longer than expected. Whether you are relocating for work, family, business, study or retirement, you may need UK documents legalised before they are accepted in the United Arab Emirates.
For many UK documents, the process does not stop at a UK apostille. The UAE is not simply an “apostille only” destination for many official procedures. UK documents may need FCDO apostille, UAE Embassy attestation and, in some cases, further Ministry of Foreign Affairs attestation in the UAE.
GOV.UK provides guidance for British nationals living in the UAE, including visas, working, healthcare, driving, tax, pensions and document legalisation. The UAE Embassy in London states that it can attest or legalise personal and commercial documents, except commercial invoices and certificates of origin, which follow a separate MoFA route.
This guide explains which UK documents you may need before moving to Dubai, when apostille and UAE attestation are required, and how to avoid delays before your relocation date.
Why UK documents need attestation for Dubai
When you use a UK document in Dubai, the UAE authority may need proof that the document is genuine and has been legalised through the correct channels.
For UK documents, the route commonly includes:
- solicitor or notary certification, if required
- FCDO apostille
- UAE Embassy attestation in London
- MoFA attestation in the UAE, if required by the receiving authority
The UK apostille confirms the UK signature, stamp or seal. UAE attestation confirms the document for use with UAE authorities.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs describes attestation as a service for official documents and certificates and provides attestation through its service channels.
Documents commonly needed when moving to Dubai
The documents you need depend on your visa type, employer, family situation and the reason for moving.
Common UK documents include:
- degree certificate
- academic transcript
- professional qualification certificate
- marriage certificate
- birth certificate
- child’s birth certificate
- divorce final order or decree absolute
- death certificate of a former spouse, if relevant
- ACRO police certificate
- DBS certificate, in some cases
- medical or employment letters
- passport copies
- power of attorney
- company documents
- certificate of incorporation
- board resolutions
- HMRC or tax residence letters
Not every person will need all of these documents. The safest approach is to ask your employer, immigration adviser, school, bank, free zone, property adviser or UAE authority for a written checklist.
Degree certificate attestation for Dubai
A UK degree certificate is one of the most commonly attested documents for Dubai.
It may be needed for:
- employment visa applications
- professional licensing
- skilled worker roles
- teaching roles
- healthcare roles
- engineering or technical roles
- free zone employment checks
- university admission
- employer onboarding
A degree certificate often needs solicitor or notary certification before FCDO apostille, depending on the document and receiving authority. After the apostille, it may need UAE Embassy attestation and MoFA attestation in the UAE.
If the employer specifically asks for a “degree attestation”, do not assume a UK apostille alone is enough.
Marriage certificate attestation for Dubai
A UK marriage certificate may be required if you are moving to Dubai with your spouse or applying for family sponsorship.
It may be needed for:
- spouse visa
- dependent visa
- family sponsorship
- tenancy or housing matters
- medical insurance
- school admissions
- bank or government records
- civil status updates
A UK marriage certificate can usually be apostilled directly if it is an official certificate issued by the General Register Office or a local register office. For UAE use, it may also need UAE Embassy attestation after the FCDO apostille.
Birth certificate attestation for Dubai
A child’s UK birth certificate may be required when relocating to Dubai with children.
It may be used for:
- dependent visas
- school admissions
- health insurance
- family sponsorship
- child registration
- medical records
- government or immigration procedures
A full birth certificate is usually safer than a short birth certificate because it includes parent details. If the certificate is old, damaged, laminated or difficult to read, order a fresh official copy before legalisation.
Criminal record checks
Some UAE employers or professional regulators may request a criminal record check.
Depending on the purpose, this may be:
- ACRO police certificate
- DBS certificate
- Disclosure Scotland certificate
- AccessNI certificate
For immigration and overseas police clearance, ACRO is often requested, but employers may use different wording. Confirm exactly which document is required before applying.
If the document is issued in the UK and needs to be used in Dubai, it may require apostille and UAE attestation.
Passport copies and proof of identity
Passport copies may be required for:
- visa applications
- employment onboarding
- tenancy agreements
- bank accounts
- company formation
- power of attorney
- family sponsorship
- school admissions
A simple photocopy may not be enough if the document needs apostille. Passport copies usually need solicitor or notary certification before legalisation.
If the receiving authority asks for a “certified copy of passport”, check whether they also require apostille, UAE Embassy attestation or Arabic translation.
Company documents for Dubai
If you are moving to Dubai for business, investment or company formation, you may need UK company documents legalised.
Common documents include:
- certificate of incorporation
- memorandum and articles of association
- certificate of good standing
- board resolution
- power of attorney
- shareholder documents
- director appointment documents
- company register extracts
- commercial contracts
The UAE Embassy in London states that it can attest or legalise personal and commercial documents, except commercial invoices and certificates of origin, which must be submitted through the MoFA eDAS 2.0 route.
Company documents often need solicitor or notary certification before FCDO apostille and UAE attestation.
Powers of attorney for Dubai
A power of attorney may be needed if someone will act on your behalf in Dubai.
This may be used for:
- property purchase or sale
- company formation
- bank matters
- vehicle matters
- court or legal representation
- visa or family administration
- document collection
- real estate transactions
A power of attorney for UAE use often needs notary certification, FCDO apostille, UAE Embassy attestation and Arabic translation. Some UAE authorities may require a specific bilingual format or local notarisation.
Do not sign a power of attorney before checking the UAE lawyer’s or notary’s instructions.
FCDO apostille vs UAE attestation
A UK apostille and UAE attestation are different steps.
The FCDO apostille confirms the recognised UK signature, stamp or seal. It is the UK legalisation step.
UAE Embassy attestation confirms the document for use with UAE authorities. MoFA attestation may then be required inside the UAE for some official processes.
GOV.UK’s UAE living guidance links to the UK document legalisation service for documents used abroad. The UAE Embassy in London provides its own attestation information for documents submitted for UAE use.
For Dubai, always check whether the recipient requires apostille only, UAE Embassy attestation or full UAE attestation including MoFA.
Paper documents and digital attestation
Some UAE attestation processes are increasingly digital, but you should not assume every document can be handled electronically from start to finish.
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides attestation services for official documents and certificates, including digital attestation information through its service channels. However, the format accepted can depend on the document type, embassy process and receiving authority.
For many relocation documents, a paper apostille and official attestation route may still be safer, especially where the document will be used for employment, family sponsorship, schools, property or government procedures.
Translation requirements
Arabic translation may be required for some documents used in Dubai.
This can apply to:
- powers of attorney
- court documents
- marriage certificates
- birth certificates
- company documents
- legal declarations
- medical or professional documents
- documents submitted to local UAE authorities
The correct order matters. In some cases, the UK document is legalised first and then translated. In other cases, the translation itself must be certified or handled through a UAE-approved route.
Before arranging translation, ask the UAE recipient whether they need:
- English document only
- Arabic translation
- legal translation in the UAE
- translation before or after attestation
- translation of the apostille
- translation of the embassy attestation
Timing your documents before moving
Document attestation can involve several stages, so start early.
Allow time for:
- ordering replacement certificates
- solicitor or notary certification
- FCDO apostille
- UAE Embassy attestation
- MoFA attestation in the UAE, if needed
- certified or legal translation
- courier delivery
- employer or authority review
If you are moving for a job, ask your employer which documents must be attested before you arrive and which can be completed after arrival.
Common mistakes to avoid
Common mistakes include:
- assuming a UK apostille alone is enough for Dubai
- legalising the wrong criminal record check
- using a short birth certificate when a full certificate is needed
- sending a degree certificate without required certification
- forgetting UAE Embassy attestation after FCDO apostille
- using a passport copy without solicitor or notary certification
- translating documents before checking the correct order
- leaving company documents until the last minute
- assuming all employers ask for the same document list
- using damaged, laminated or old certificates
- signing a power of attorney before notary instructions are confirmed
These mistakes can delay visas, employment onboarding, school applications, family sponsorship or business setup.
How to prepare UK documents for moving to Dubai
The process usually works as follows.
1. get a written checklist
Ask your employer, school, bank, free zone, lawyer, immigration adviser or UAE authority exactly which documents are required.
2. order fresh official copies
Replace damaged, laminated or unclear birth, marriage or civil status certificates before legalisation.
3. check whether certification is needed
Some documents need solicitor or notary certification before apostille.
4. arrange FCDO apostille
Submit the UK document for apostille legalisation.
5. arrange UAE Embassy attestation
Submit the apostilled document for UAE attestation where required.
6. arrange MoFA attestation in the UAE
Some documents may need final MoFA attestation after arrival or before submission to a UAE authority.
7. arrange translation
Complete Arabic translation in the order required by the receiving authority.
How we can help
We can help prepare UK documents for moving to Dubai.
Our service can include checking your document list, advising whether solicitor or notary certification is needed, arranging FCDO apostille, advising on UAE Embassy attestation, helping with company and personal documents, and advising on translation requirements.
If you are relocating to Dubai, send us your employer, school, bank or UAE authority checklist. We can help confirm which UK documents need apostille and attestation before you travel.