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UAE Embassy in Ottawa, Canada: Attestation of Documents

by | Jun 19, 2025 | Frontpage Article

The flag of the United Arab Emirates flies atop a fort-like beige building against a blue sky with scattered white clouds.

If you’re planning to work, study, do business, or live in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Canadian documents—like birth certificates, university degrees, or corporate documents—often need to be attested before UAE authorities will accept them. This formal process confirms a document’s authenticity for use abroad.

The attestation process typically starts with notarization (if required), followed by authentication by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and ends with legalization, also known as attestation, at the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Ottawa. Without this multi-step verification, your documents may be rejected by institutions or authorities in the UAE.

Canadians and foreign nationals who live in Canada need to know how the UAE Embassy in Canada works. If you miss a step in the attestation process, you could be denied or have to wait longer for a working visa, family sponsorship, or to start a business. This guide explains how attestation works, which documents are eligible, and how to meet the UAE Embassy’s requirements—so your paperwork is in order before it leaves Canada.

Check out our UAE Embassy Attestation page for more details and support to get you across the finish line.

Need help with document apostille/legalization/authentication/attestation — and/or criminal record check in Canada? Contact us via our form, call us at +1-613-501-0555 (WhatsApp available) or +1-800-857-1215 (toll-free), fax us via 1-844-786-2001, or text us at [email protected].

Who Needs Attestation at the UAE Embassy in Ottawa?

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Canadian citizens or residents intending to work, study, get married, immigrate, or establish a business in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will likely require the attestation of their Canadian documents. UAE authorities require attestation to verify the validity and legal issuance of your documents in Canada.

Documents that commonly require attestation include personal documents (such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, and powers of attorney), educational documents (including diplomas, degrees, and academic transcripts), and commercial documents (like business registration certificates, contracts, and company records). Each category has specific requirements, and all must go through the proper Canadian and UAE verification steps before they can be used in the UAE.

Guidelines for Document-Specific UAE Attestation

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Personal Documents

In the UAE, when dealing with legal, family, or immigration issues, it is essential to have specific personal documents authenticated through MOFA attestation for them to be officially recognized by local authorities.

The following personal documents require MOFA attestation:

  • Birth and Death Certificates: Used to confirm identity, age, or familial relationships.
  • Marriage and Divorce Certificates: It is necessary to establish marital status, especially when sponsoring a spouse or applying for family visas.
  • Medical Reports: This may be required for employment, residency applications, or accessing healthcare services.
  • Police Clearance Certificates: Often needed for employment, residency, or educational purposes.

 Educational Documents

If you plan to study, work, or obtain a professional licenced in the UAE, you will likely need MOFA attestation for these documents:

  • School certificates (e.g., high school diplomas)
  • University degrees (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD)
  • Academic transcripts
  • Diplomas from technical or vocational institutions
  • Professional qualification certificates
    • Specialized training certificates.
    • Skill development program certificates
    • Industry-specific certifications (e.g., accounting, engineering, IT)

Commercial Documents

When establishing or operating a business in the UAE, it is often necessary to obtain MOFA attestation to validate essential commercial documents and ensure their legal recognition by UAE authorities.

The following are common commercial documents that require MOFA attestation:

  • Business Registration Certificate: Proves your business is legally registered in Canada.
  • Articles of Association: Outlines the company’s structure and ownership details.
  • Business Contracts and Agreements: Contracts with clients, suppliers, or partners that will be used in official UAE transactions or filings.
  • Invoices and Financial Documents: May be required for customs, audits, or regulatory submissions.
  • Powers of Attorney: Authorizes individuals to act on behalf of the company for legal or financial matters in the UAE.

Step-by‑Step Attestation Process

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Step 1: Document Preparation

When preparing documents for attestation, verify whether an original document or a certified copy is necessary; typically, personal documents such as birth and marriage certificates must be original. Conversely, academic or legal documents can be recognized as certified true copies when notarized. All documents must be submitted in English or Arabic; if they are not, a certified translation is required, preferably into Arabic. The embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Ottawa typically mandates that a sealed official transcript be sent directly from the issuing institution to verify the authenticity of educational credentials, particularly for university degrees. Nevertheless, specific requirements may differ based on the receiving authority in the UAE.

Step 2: Notarization (if required)

Notarization is sometimes required before authentication and attestation, especially for diplomas or transcripts from private colleges or non-government institutions, to verify their authenticity. Official Canadian government documents like birth, marriage, and death certificates or RCMP police checks usually don’t need notarization, as they’re already considered valid public records. If you’re submitting a copy instead of the original, it often must be notarized, so always check the specific requirements for your document type in advance.

Step 3: Document Authentication by Global Affairs Canada

Before your Canadian documents can be attested by the UAE embassy Canada, they must first be authenticated by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). This step verifies that your document’s signature and seal or stamp are authentic and issued by a recognized Canadian official. You can submit your documents by mail or book an in-person appointment at the GAC office in Ottawa. Mail submissions typically take 15 to 25 business days, while in-person appointments may offer faster processing but are limited and must be booked in advance.

Step 4: Legalization (Attestation) at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Ottawa

To finalize the attestation process, you must submit your authenticated documents to the embassy of United Arab Emirates in Canada by mail or in person. Include the original authenticated documents, a copy of the Global Affairs Canada authentication certificate, a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope, and the applicable consular fee (payable by money order or certified cheque). As of now, the Embassy does not take walk-ins. Hence, physical visits should be scheduled ahead of time. It usually takes three business days or more to process, although this may vary with the number of requests.

Step 5: Final Attestation by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

After the UAE Embassy in Ottawa attests your documents, they must go through a final attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to be legally valid within the UAE. This is a separate and required step that takes place after the Canadian authentication and embassy attestation process is completed. MOFA attestation confirms the UAE Embassy’s seal and is necessary for the document to be officially recognized by UAE government departments, employers, or institutions. This step must be completed in person in the UAE or through a registered service provider.

Processing Times

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Attesting Canadian documents for use in the UAE consists of two primary steps: authentication by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and, afterwards, legalization by the UAE Embassy in Ottawa. As of June 2025, the processing time at GAC generally ranges from 15 to 25 business days, excluding the time required for mailing to and from their office. After receiving documents, the embassy usually takes 3 to 5 business days to process them. The whole process will take about 3-4 weeks regarding the processing and mailing times. To make the process successful, all requirements should be thoroughly checked, including required documents, and a reliable courier service should be used to ensure safe and trackable deliveries.

How to Track & Receive Your Documents

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Once you send your documents to Global Affairs Canada (GAC), use a trackable mail service to monitor when they are received and returned. When you submit your documents to the UAE Embassy in Ottawa, include a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope from a trusted courier service. This will help ensure your documents are returned to you safely and on time. Many couriers also offer email or text notifications to keep you updated on delivery status.

After the final MOFA attestation is completed in the UAE, it’s important to use a reliable courier or legal service if your documents must be mailed back to Canada or handed over to a specific person or office. Always keep a copy or digital scan of your documents before sending them anywhere, and confirm the correct mailing address and contact information to avoid delays or loss.

Practical Tips to Streamline the Process

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To avoid delays, requesting sealed transcripts from your school early is a good idea, especially if you’re attesting educational documents. Some embassies, like the UAE Embassy in Ottawa, may require transcripts to be sent directly from the school in a sealed envelope. Always use a trusted courier service to send your documents so you can track them and make sure they arrive safely.

Pay close attention to processing times. Global Affairs Canada may take longer than the UAE Embassy, so plan accordingly. If the process seems overwhelming, you can hire a professional attestation service. These services can save you time and help avoid mistakes but usually come with added costs. Doing it yourself may be cheaper, but it requires careful attention to every step.

Check out our UAE Embassy Attestation page for more details and support to get you across the finish line.

Do You Need Help Authenticating Documents Issued in Canada? The Legalization Service Center Can Assist!

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The Legalization Service Centre supports at every stage of the process for those seeking apostille, authentications, and attestation services for documents in Canada. We optimize the process to guarantee the accurate authentication of your documents for international purposes.

Need help with document apostille/legalization/authentication/attestation — and/or criminal record check in Canada? Contact us via our form, call us at +1-613-501-0555 (WhatsApp available) or +1-800-857-1215 (toll-free), fax us via 1-844-786-2001, or text us at [email protected].