MOFA Attestation Fees in Dubai: What You’ll Actually Pay
MOFA Attestation Fees in Dubai: What You'll Actually Pay
One of the first questions almost every client asks Dunes is simple: how much will MOFA attestation actually cost? It is a fair question, and also one that does not have a single fixed answer — the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFA) charges attestation fees based on its own published fee schedule, but the final amount you pay depends on the document type, how many documents you are attesting, which attestation method applies, and whether you handle the process yourself or through a service provider.
Rather than guess at a number that may not match what MOFA actually charges for your specific case, this guide walks through how the fee structure works, where the additional costs typically come from, and what genuinely changes your total — so you know what to expect before you submit.
How MOFA’s Government Fee Structure Works
MOFA sets and publishes its own attestation fees in its official Attestation Guide, and the fee is calculated per document rather than as a single flat charge. The amount depends on factors such as whether the document is personal (birth, marriage, education certificates) or commercial (trade licenses, board resolutions, commercial invoices), the destination country the document is going to, and which attestation method applies — MOFA’s MOFA attestation service covers both routes.
This government fee is separate from anything a typing centre, courier, or attestation agency charges on top of it. Because MOFA reviews and adjusts its fee schedule from time to time, and the exact figure differs by document category, we deliberately do not quote a fixed AED amount here — it could easily be out of date or simply not match your document type. Instead, Dunes checks MOFA’s current fee for your exact document before confirming a quote, so you know precisely what you are paying for.
Typing-Centre and Service Agent Charges
Beyond MOFA’s own government fee, most applicants also pay a separate service charge — whether that is a typing centre preparing and submitting your file, a courier collecting and delivering the physical document, or a full-service agency like Dunes managing the entire process on your behalf.
These charges cover the work of formatting your submission correctly, tracking it through each stage of the attestation chain, and, where relevant, arranging a certified legal translation of the document before it is submitted to MOFA. Because typing centres and agencies set their own service fees independently of MOFA, prices genuinely do vary from one provider to another, which is why it is worth asking for an itemized breakdown — the government fee versus the service fee — before you commit.
What Actually Changes Your Total Cost
A handful of factors genuinely move the total you will pay: the document type (commercial documents typically involve an extra Chamber of Commerce step before MOFA, which adds cost); how many documents you are attesting in one batch; and whether the document qualifies for MOFA’s digital attestation system or needs courier-based attestation instead.
Timelines matter here too, since they often affect price: MOFA’s own service pages confirm that eligible digital attestation typically completes within about two hours during official working hours, while courier-based attestation inside the UAE generally takes one to three business days depending on the courier provider selected. Whether your document also needs certified translation, and whether it requires further legalization at an embassy after MOFA, are the other two variables that most often change the final bill.
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How to Get Started
Because the true cost of MOFA attestation depends on your specific document, quantity, and destination, the most reliable way to know what you will actually pay is to get a real quote rather than rely on an average figure. Dunes reviews your documents, confirms MOFA’s current government fee for your exact case, and gives you one itemized quote covering the government charge, translation (if needed), and our service fee — no surprises once the process is underway.
Share your documents with our team via the MOFA attestation service page or reach out directly through our Contact Us page, and we will confirm your exact cost before you commit to anything.
How much does MOFA attestation cost in Dubai?
There is no single flat fee — MOFA’s government charge depends on the document type, destination, and attestation method, and typing centres or agencies add their own service fee on top. The most reliable way to know your exact cost is to share your documents with Dunes for a free, itemized quote.
Is the MOFA government fee the same for every document?
No. MOFA’s published fee schedule differentiates between personal and commercial documents, and the amount can vary further by document category and the number of documents submitted together.
Do typing centres or attestation agencies charge extra on top of MOFA's fee?
Yes. The government attestation fee only covers MOFA’s own stamp; typing centres, couriers, translators, and full-service agencies like Dunes charge separately for preparing, translating, and handling your documents through each step.
Does urgent or express MOFA attestation cost more?
In many cases, yes — faster handling or extra courier trips typically carry an added service charge, though MOFA’s own digital attestation for eligible documents can complete within about two hours with no separate “express” fee. Confirm urgency options and any added cost with your service provider before submitting.
