Document Legalization for UAE – legalize documents for Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA
Need to legalize Swedish documents for use in the United Arab Emirates? DOX helps both private individuals and companies through the entire legalization process for UAE — Notary Public, the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Swedish Embassy in UAE and finally MOFA (UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs) — plus secure return.
We help you whether the documents are for work in Dubai, study in Abu Dhabi, business matters, family matters, visas, residence permits or trade in the UAE.
Document legalization for UAE
The United Arab Emirates, often referred to as UAE, normally requires foreign documents to be properly legalized before they can be used by authorities, universities, employers, banks or companies in the country.
This applies, for example, to documents to be used in:
- •Dubai
- •Abu Dhabi
- •Sharjah
- •Ajman
- •Ras Al Khaimah
- •Fujairah
- •Umm Al Quwain
For Swedish documents the process normally is: the document is reviewed and (if needed) notarized by a Notary Public, legalized by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, forwarded to the Swedish Embassy in UAE to certify the MFA stamp, and finally stamped by MOFA (UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs). Sweden Abroad describes this as the order for Swedish official documents intended for use in the UAE.
DOX handles the process for you so the document is correctly prepared before it is sent to the recipient in the UAE.
When is legalization for UAE required?
Legalization may be required when a Swedish document is to be used officially in the UAE. It is common for employment, studies, immigration, business setup, trade matters and family matters.
Common situations where legalization is needed:
- ✓you are about to start working in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
- ✓you need to verify education or qualifications
- ✓you are applying for a visa, residence permit or work permit
- ✓you are registering a marriage, family relationship or personal data
- ✓a Swedish company needs to use documents in the UAE
- ✓you need to submit a power of attorney, agreement or company documents
- ✓trade documents are to be used by an authority, bank, customer or partner in the UAE
Common documents we legalize for UAE
DOX helps both private individuals and companies with legalization of documents for the United Arab Emirates.
Personal documents
- ✓personal certificate
- ✓birth certificate
- ✓marriage certificate
- ✓name change certificate
- ✓family documents
- ✓powers of attorney
- ✓copies of passport or ID
Education and employment documents
- ✓diplomas
- ✓transcripts
- ✓education certificates
- ✓employment certificates
- ✓employment contracts
- ✓professional certificates
- ✓documents for work visa in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
Corporate and trade documents
- ✓registration certificates
- ✓company documents
- ✓powers of attorney
- ✓agreements
- ✓invoices
- ✓certificates of origin
- ✓trade documents
- ✓documents for business setup or relationships in the UAE
How legalization for UAE works
Document review
We start by reviewing the document type, intended use and the receiving authority's requirements. This reduces the risk of mistakes, supplementary requirements and delays.
Notary Public
Many documents first need to be certified or notarized by a Notary Public. This may apply to copies, signatures, powers of attorney, corporate documents and certain private documents.
Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA)
After notarization, the document is legalized by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The MFA verifies the signature, stamp or seal on Swedish documents — not the document's content.
Swedish Embassy in UAE
The MFA-stamped document is forwarded to the Swedish Embassy in the United Arab Emirates, which certifies that the MFA stamp is genuine so it can be accepted by UAE authorities.
MOFA – UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The final step takes place in the UAE: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) applies the final stamp required for the document to be accepted by employers, authorities, banks, universities and free-zones in the country.
Secure return
Once the full chain is complete, we send the document back to you with tracked delivery, or according to the delivery solution we have agreed on.
Apostille or legalization for UAE?
Many people search for an apostille for UAE, but the UAE does not accept apostille as a substitute for the full legalization chain. Swedish documents must go all the way — Notary Public (where required), the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Swedish Embassy in UAE and finally MOFA — to become valid in the United Arab Emirates.
This applies both to authority documents (population registry certificates, marriage certificates, degree certificates) and to private documents (employment contracts, powers of attorney, company papers). Never submit a stand-alone apostille for use in UAE — it will be rejected by UAE authorities, banks, employers and free-zone bodies. DOX ensures you follow the correct flow from the start. Apostille
Common cases — what your flow looks like
Which documents you need to legalize — and which route they take — depends on what you'll actually do in the UAE. Here are the four most-ordered packages at DOX, with concrete document lists and the recommended legalization route.
Working in Dubai or Abu Dhabi
Work visa & residence permit
To obtain a UAE work permit, degree certificates and employer references must be fully legalized. Expect the full legalization chain for every document — apostille alone is not accepted.
- ✓degree certificate from university (notarized copy + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓transcript of records (notarized copy + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓employment contract from Swedish employer if relevant (notarized + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓previous employer references (notarized + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓English translation when needed — some free zones require Arabic
Company setup in UAE
Free zone, mainland & branch
Starting a company or branch in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or a free zone (DMCC, JAFZA, ADGM, IFZA) requires legalization of all Swedish corporate documents. UAE authorities and free-zone bodies do not accept apostille — the full chain is required.
- ✓Bolagsverket registration certificate (notarized + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓articles of association (notarized + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓board resolution authorizing the setup (notarized + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓Power of Attorney for your UAE representative (notarized + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓passport copies for board members (certified + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓Arabic translation of POA — required by many emirate authorities
Family matters & personal documents
Family sponsorship, marriage, name change
For family sponsorship (spouse, children), marriage in UAE or registering a Swedish marriage with UAE authorities, personal documents must go through the full legalization chain.
- ✓marriage certificate from Skatteverket (notarized + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓birth certificate for children (notarized + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓population registry certificate with family details (notarized + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓name change certificate if relevant (notarized + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓English translation recommended for smooth processing
Studies in UAE
University & college
Admission to universities in UAE (American University of Sharjah, Khalifa University, NYU Abu Dhabi, etc.) requires legalization of prior study records via the full chain — universities and the KHDA education authority do not accept apostille.
- ✓high school diploma (notarized copy + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓degree certificate from Swedish university if relevant (notarized copy + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓transcript of records (notarized copy + Swedish MFA + Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA)
- ✓English translation of all documents
- ✓letters of recommendation — if required by university
Your case not in the list? Send a free quote request with your document list and we'll point out the right route and a fixed price before you pay anything.
Get a free quote →Does the document need to be translated into English or Arabic?
It depends on the document type and who will receive the document in the UAE. Some recipients accept documents in English, while others may require Arabic translation.
Even when the legalization itself doesn't always require translation, the receiving authority, employer, bank or school in the UAE may require the document to be translated.
DOX can help with certified translation into English or Arabic and coordinate the translation with the legalization.
Read more about certified translation →How long does legalization for UAE take?
Time depends on document type, number of documents, whether translation is required and which steps are needed before the document can be submitted through the full chain (Notary Public → Swedish MFA → Swedish Embassy in UAE → MOFA).
As a guide, the full process often takes 5–10 business days, but urgent matters can sometimes be handled faster depending on the document and available appointments.
Time can be affected by:
- •whether the document first needs notarization
- •whether MFA legalization is required
- •the embassy's processing time
- •whether the document needs translation
- •postal and return-shipping time
- •public holidays in Sweden or the UAE
Please contact us before submitting the document if your matter is urgent.
Delivery times for legalization →What does legalization for UAE cost?
Pricing depends on document type, number of documents and which steps are required. A case may cover document review, Notary Public, Swedish MFA legalization, consular handling at the Swedish Embassy in UAE, the MOFA stamp, translation and return shipping.
Price per document.
For an exact price we recommend that you send a copy or a photo of the document, and we will get back to you with a free quote.
Get a free quotePricing for legalization →Swedish Embassy in UAE + MOFA
For Swedish documents the legalization runs via the Swedish Embassy in the United Arab Emirates — which certifies that the MFA stamp is genuine — and ends with the final stamp from MOFA (UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The MOFA stamp is what UAE authorities, employers, banks, universities and free-zones require to accept the document.
Contact information
- 📍Address:
Embassy of Sweden, Al Bateen Towers C2, 21st Floor
P.O. Box 130070, Abu Dhabi, UAE - 📞Phone:
+971 2 417 7000 - ✉️Email:
ambassaden.abu-dhabi@gov.se - 🕐Opening hours:
Always check current opening hours before visiting, as the embassy's hours and routines may change.
Let DOX handle communication with the embassy
You don't need to visit the embassy yourself or keep track of every step in the process. DOX helps you with document review, submission, follow-up, pickup and return.
We help you with:
- ✓review of document requirements before submission
- ✓Notary Public when needed
- ✓legalization at the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs
- ✓consular handling at the Swedish Embassy in UAE
- ✓MOFA stamp (UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- ✓translation into English or Arabic when needed
- ✓secure return with tracked delivery
Frequently asked questions about legalization for UAE
Do I need an apostille for UAE?+
Which documents need to be legalized for UAE?+
Can DOX handle the entire process?+
How long does legalization for UAE take?+
Does the document need to be translated?+
Does the same process apply to Dubai and Abu Dhabi?+
Can companies legalize commercial documents for UAE?+
Can I send the documents to you digitally?+
Related services and countries
Ready to legalize your documents for UAE?
DOX has helped hundreds of customers with legalization of documents for Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the United Arab Emirates.
We help you avoid common mistakes, verify document requirements and manage the entire process from start to finished legalization.
Why customers choose DOX:
- ✓we verify document requirements before submission
- ✓we handle Notary Public, MFA and the embassy
- ✓we help both private individuals and companies
- ✓we can coordinate translation and legalization
- ✓we offer secure return with tracked delivery