You hold an Indian degree, a marriage certificate, or a power of attorney. A UAE office asks for an attested copy, and attestation means the Indian mission confirms that your document is genuine. This guide shows how to attest Indian documents in UAE, step by step.
Quick Answer: Since 22 July 2026, Indian attestation in the UAE runs through Indian Consular Application Centres (ICACs). Twelve centres now work, after four closed on 22 October 2026. Book online at consularsevainuae.com, where the service charge is AED 19, plus the Government of India fee. After the Indian mission, finish with UAE MOFA attestation at AED 150 for a personal document.
Where to Go Now
Indian consular, passport, visa, and attestation services in the UAE moved to a new provider on 22 July 2026. The provider is Al Hind Tours and Travels LLC. Services now run through 12 Indian Consular Application Centres, called ICACs, across the Emirates. Four centres closed on 22 October 2026. They are Musaffah and Al Reem in Abu Dhabi, Dubai Investment Park, and Al Majaz in Sharjah. Routine work no longer happens at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi or the Consulate in Dubai. Book your slot online at consularsevainuae.com. New slots come out twice a day, at 9am and 9pm, and centres open from 8am to 6pm. Arrive only 15 minutes before your slot.
Warning: For routine submission, do not go to the Embassy or the Consulate. Since 22 July 2026, these services run only through the ICAC centres.
What the Mission Attests
The Embassy and the Consulate attest many kinds of Indian documents. The main types are:
- Educational degrees and diplomas
- Marriage certificates and birth certificates
- Driving licences, with a sworn affidavit
- Powers of attorney and sworn affidavits
- Salary certificates from UAE employers (attest these with MOFA first)
- Sponsorship declarations and religion certificates
- NOC for travel by children
The mission also does notarial work for papers signed in India or the UAE. Bring the original document and a photocopy, and sign the paper before the Consular Officer. Show your original passport for identity proof.
Steps to Attest Indian Documents in UAE
Follow these steps in order.
- Book a slot at consularsevainuae.com.
- Carry the original document, a photocopy, and your passport.
- Go to the ICAC at your slot time.
- Pay the Government of India fee plus the AED 19 service charge.
- Collect the attested document.
- Finish with UAE MOFA attestation, as shown below.
The Embassy page says the service is done the same day. Confirm the return time at the centre on the day.
The Chain for a Degree
A degree from India needs more than one stamp, and the Embassy page lists this chain.
- Authentication by the concerned State Government in India.
- Attestation by the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi.
- Attestation by the UAE Embassy in New Delhi or the UAE Consulate in Mumbai.
- Attestation by the Indian mission in the UAE.
- Attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
The UAE also accepts a degree attested by its Embassy in New Delhi or Consulate in Mumbai. That works only if the MEA attested it first. The MEA counter sits at Ground Floor, Patiala House, Tilak Marg, New Delhi.
Tip: Start the chain in India before you fly, because a missing state stamp sends the paper back.
What the Fees Are
The Government of India fees changed on 1 July 2026, and the Embassy fee chart lists these rates in AED. The service charge of AED 19, with VAT, sits on top of the fee.
| Document | Fee (AED) |
|---|---|
| Civil document, such as a degree or marriage certificate | 40 |
| Property document, such as a sale or gift deed | 80 |
| Civil document drawn up by the Consular Officer | 80 |
| Property document drawn up by the Consular Officer | 155 |
| Trade document for export from India | 80 |
| Trade document for import into India | 190 |
| Other attestation, birth registration, and copy | 80 |
| Other document drawn up by the Consular Officer | 155 |
| Death registration | 80 (may be waived) |
| Solemnizing a marriage | 190 |
| Vessel sale, purchase, mortgage, or transfer | 960 |
| Other shipping document | 190 |
| Sailor certificate for personal use | 40 |
| Home or office visit by the officer | 380, plus travel and daily allowance |
| Pension papers and life certificate | Free |
Example: A civil document costs AED 40, and with the AED 19 service charge, you pay AED 59 in total.
The Last Step: UAE MOFA
Most UAE offices want one more stamp after the Indian mission. That stamp comes from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, called MOFA. MOFA confirms the signatures and seals on the document. Apply online at mofa.gov.ae with UAE Pass. The fee is AED 150 for a personal document and AED 2,000 for a commercial document. Digital attestation of a UAE-issued document finishes within 2 hours in working hours. Courier attestation takes 1 to 3 business days, and you can add up to five documents in one application.
Note: The MOFA fee follows Cabinet Resolution No. 38 of 2022. A personal document costs AED 150, and a commercial document costs AED 2,000.
Papers to Carry
Carry these items to the centre.
- The original document and a photocopy.
- Your original passport and a photocopy of the first five pages and the visa page.
- A recent passport-size photo, for a power of attorney.
- A written request on company letterhead, if a firm applies.
For a power of attorney, your personal presence before the Consular Officer is compulsory. The officer must see you sign the paper.
Special Cases
A sponsorship declaration has one limit. The mission does not attest it for women below 30 years, or for workers on visit visas from private firms. The Embassy page states this note in plain words.
Home service exists for medical cases and aged applicants who cannot visit a centre. Email vcppt.dubai@mea.gov.in, with a copy to attestation.dubai@mea.gov.in, to ask for it.
If you have a complaint about the centre, write to passport.dubai@mea.gov.in. You can also call the Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendra toll-free at 800 46342.
If you plan to sponsor your family, read our UAE Family Visa Guide for Sponsors. It lists the salary you need. Also read Sponsor Wife UAE Salary Requirement Explained Simply and How to Sponsor Your Family for a UAE Visa. Attested marriage and birth certificates support these applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I attest Indian documents in the UAE now?
Book a slot at consularsevainuae.com and visit an Indian Consular Application Centre (ICAC). Routine work moved from the Embassy and Consulate to the ICACs on 22 July 2026. Twelve centres now work, after four closed on 22 October 2026.
How much is the service charge at the ICAC?
The service charge is AED 19, with VAT, and it covers form filling, photo, typing, courier, printout, and photocopy. It sits on top of the Government of India fee.
How much does it cost to attest a degree?
A civil document, such as a degree, costs AED 40. Add the AED 19 service charge, and you pay AED 59 in total, before the MOFA step.
Do I still need UAE MOFA attestation?
Yes, in most cases. The Indian mission stamp comes first, and then MOFA attests the document for AED 150 for a personal document.
Can I attest a sponsorship declaration for anyone?
No. The mission does not attest a sponsorship declaration for women below 30 years. It also does not attest one for workers brought by private firms on visit visas.
How do I book an ICAC slot?
Book online at consularsevainuae.com. New slots come out at 9am and 9pm each day, and centres open from 8am to 6pm.
Official Sources
- Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi — Attestation Services
- Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi — Attestation Fee Structure 2026 (PDF)
- Consulate General of India, Dubai — Attestation Services
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Attestation of Official Documents and Certificates
- Indian Consular Services in the UAE — consularsevainuae.com
- Khaleej Times — Indian Embassy in UAE shuts 4 consular service centres from October 22
Disclaimer: This guide is general information only, and fees, centres, and steps can change. Check the Embassy page and consularsevainuae.com before you go. Bolo Asan is not a government office.
Last Updated: 8 November 2026