Leaving a Dubai school, whether you are moving within the emirate, to another emirate, or leaving the UAE, involves more paperwork than many parents expect. The transfer certificate is the key document, and getting it right early can save weeks later. This guide explains what you need and where attestation fits in.
What a Transfer Certificate Is and Why It Matters
In Dubai, private schools are regulated by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, known as the KHDA. When a child leaves, the school issues a transfer certificate (often called a TC or leaving certificate) that records their name, date of birth, grade or year group, curriculum, dates of attendance, and conduct or progress notes. The receiving school uses it to confirm the correct placement.
If you are moving between two Dubai private schools, the transfer is usually handled through the KHDA system and is relatively straightforward. Moving to a government school, another emirate, or a school outside the UAE typically requires additional steps, including attestation. Ask the destination school exactly what format they need.
Steps to Request Your Documents
Start by giving written notice to the school. Most schools ask for notice by a set point in the term, and final fee settlement is usually required before documents are released. Check your parent-school contract, which the KHDA requires schools to provide, for the notice period and any leaving fees, which are typically modest but vary by school.
- Submit the withdrawal form or email the registrar confirming the last day of attendance
- Return library books, devices, and any school property and keep receipts
- Settle outstanding fees and ask for a final statement showing a zero balance
- Request the transfer certificate, end-of-year report, and any medical or vaccination records held by the school clinic
- Ask for transcripts or predicted grades separately if your child is in secondary school
Processing typically takes around a week to ten working days once fees are cleared, but it can take longer at the end of the academic year when many families are leaving. Apply early, especially in June and July.
KHDA and Attestation: When You Need More Than the Certificate
For a move within Dubai’s private sector, schools usually complete the KHDA transfer in their system and you may only receive a copy for your records. For moves outside Dubai, the certificate often needs to be stamped by the KHDA and then attested further. If you are leaving the UAE, that commonly means attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the embassy or consulate of your destination country.
The exact chain depends on where you are going, so confirm it with the new school and the relevant embassy before paying for attestations. Some countries also require the report card from the last completed year, not just the transfer certificate. Keep the original safe for hand luggage when you travel — do not pack the only copy in checked baggage.
If your child is moving mid-year, ask whether a certificate for the current grade is sufficient. Rules on grade equivalency differ by curriculum and country.
Documents to Collect Before the Last Day
Beyond the transfer certificate, gather a complete leaving pack while you still have easy access to staff. Requesting references later from overseas is much harder.
Useful items include the last two report cards, a reference letter for secondary students, records of learning support, immunisation records, and activity certificates. If your child has an individual education plan, request the latest assessments and specialist reports the school holds.
Also ask about refunds. Any refundable deposit, and prepaid fees for a term not attended, should be explained in writing. Timelines for refunds are typically a few weeks and will be set out in the contract.
Avoiding Common Delays
The most common delays are unpaid balances, unreturned items, mismatched names, and starting too late. Check that the name and date of birth on the certificate match your child’s passport exactly — a spelling difference can cause a receiving school to reject it. Keep digital scans of everything as a backup.
Leaving is emotional enough without a paperwork scramble. Give notice early, collect the full pack, confirm attestation for your destination, and you will start the next school with everything it needs.