If you need to use a Romanian document in the UAE — a birth or marriage certificate for a family visa, a diploma for a job, or company papers for a business — it will usually need to be attested, also called legalised, before UAE authorities accept it. The process has several steps in Romania and then in the UAE, and doing them in the wrong order wastes time and money. This guide explains the chain step by step and how to verify each office before you travel to it.
Which Documents Usually Need Attestation
- Personal certificates: birth, marriage, and, where relevant, divorce or death certificates.
- Education documents: university diplomas, degree supplements and school certificates — commonly required for UAE work permits and professional licences.
- Commercial documents: powers of attorney, company registration papers, board resolutions and contracts.
- Police clearance certificates, often requested for employment or residency formalities.
Not every document needs the full chain. Your UAE employer, sponsor or the government department asking for the document should confirm exactly what they require — including whether they need the original, a certified copy, and whether a sworn translation into Arabic or English must be attached.
The Attestation Chain, Step by Step
- Get the document in order in Romania. Make sure you hold the correct original or an official duplicate. Civil status documents are issued by the local civil registry office where the event was registered; diplomas come from the issuing university or education authority.
- Authentication in Romania. Depending on the document type and the current rules, the first authentication may be an apostille or a legalisation stamp from the competent Romanian authority, such as the prefecture or the courts. Check which route the UAE currently accepts before you start, because the wrong route means beginning again.
- Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For the legalisation route, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest authenticates the document after the earlier local step.
- UAE embassy attestation. The document is then presented to the UAE embassy serving Romania, which stamps it for use in the Emirates. Confirm which mission currently handles Romanian documents and its appointment and fee rules on its official website before travelling.
- Final attestation in the UAE. On arrival in the UAE, the document is attested by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) — much of this is now done through MOFA’s website and app, with courier or service-centre options.
- Translation if required. If the receiving authority needs Arabic, use a UAE Ministry of Justice-licensed legal translator after attestation, following the order the authority specifies.
How to Find and Verify the Right Offices
Do not rely on addresses or phone numbers copied from blogs or forums — missions move and procedures change. Instead, go to the official website of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the current legalisation guidance, the official UAE MOFA website for the in-UAE step, and the UAE embassy’s official page for appointments, fees and opening arrangements. UAE government services are also listed on the official UAE portal (u.ae). If a step offers online booking, book through those official channels only.
Costs, Timing and Using an Agent
Each step charges its own fee, and as a guide the total official cost per document across the whole chain is typically in the range of a few hundred AED equivalent, plus translation and courier costs if you use them. Allow several weeks end to end, especially if you must first obtain a fresh certificate or diploma. Attestation agents in Dubai and Romania can manage the chain for you for a service fee — if you use one, choose a registered company, get the full price in writing, keep copies of everything, and never hand over originals without a receipt. Check the agent’s trade licence and reviews before paying.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Laminated certificates are often rejected because stamps cannot be applied or verified — keep originals unlaminated. Names must match exactly across your passport, the document and your UAE file; a spelling difference can mean starting again. Also check the validity window: police certificates and some documents are only accepted within a few months of issue. Finally, attest the right version — some employers need the diploma itself attested, others the diploma plus transcripts.
FAQ
Can I attest a Romanian document entirely inside the UAE?
Generally no. The early steps — Romanian authentication and UAE embassy stamping — must happen in Romania before the final MOFA attestation in the UAE. Check the MOFA website for the current accepted sequence.
How long does the whole process take?
As a guide, allow two to six weeks depending on document type, appointments and couriers. Starting early is the single best way to avoid problems with visa or job deadlines.
Do I need my documents translated?
Many UAE authorities accept English documents, but some require Arabic legal translation by a licensed translator. Always confirm with the authority that requested the document.
For more step-by-step paperwork guides, visit DXB Talk and the How-To archive.
