Differences Between MOFA & Embassy Attestation?

Understanding the Differences Between MOFA and Embassy Attestation

In the United Arab Emirates, those who seek the process of document legalization must understand the manner in which MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) attestation differs from embassy attestation. Both steps are important in the process of attestation, however they have different functions and processes.

1. Attestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)

Outline of the procedure: The reason behind the MOFA attestation is to ensure that the documents presented for MOFA attestations such as educational certificates, proprietorship documents and business documents are genuine and accepted in UAE Territories. It is the method used by the Government of UAE to authenticate the signature or the stamp or seal of the recognized authority on the document presented.

The Steps Involved:

Notarization Plus: The very first procedure is getting a public notary stamps that the document originates from the person.

Lodging documents with MOFA Plus: The notarized copy of the document is however taken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the United Arab Emirates for purposes of waiver of exceptions.

Girc: After satisfactorily having such a residence or work permit, aprop document will be issued from Girc.

Limitations:

Limitations in use: The MOFA endorsement is strictly enforced on certificates meant for circulation in the state only or the residents of the state.

Types of Certificates: It caters for the following types of documents; personal documents for instance birth and marriage certificates, those for education purposes, and commercial documents.

Fees:

Typically s, the activity requires some fees and more often than not, the specific fee will vary based upon the type of the document and the number of documents.

1. Embassy Attestation

Definition.

This is mainly used /required when a document is intended to be used in a foreign country. It specifically states that a document that has been attested by the competent authorities in UAE (mofa etc) is recognized and accepted by the embassy or consulate of the country of use of that document.

Method:

Completion of MOFA Attestation. For any document to be accepted in the embassy, that document must first be authenticated by MOFA or other appropriate authorities of the UAE).

Submission to Embassy. The document that has been certified by the authorities is taken to the embassy or consulate of the country where the document is intended for use.

Verification. Embassy or consulate does the justification for the document and places its Stamp or seal to attest that it is confirmed for use in their country.

Coverage:

International Use.

Embassy attestation is needed for documents that are needed to be used in a foreign country, such as through application of visa, work permits and other official activities.

Types of Documents.

These are personal documents, educational certificates and business papers that need additional verification for use beyond the borders.

Fees:

While applying for the embassy attestation it is not a fixed fee and varies with the specific embassy or consulate and the type of the document only.

Key Differences

Purpose: MOFA attestation is meant for the validation of documents for use in the United Arab Emirates while the embassy attestation is mainly aimed at other countries.

Process: MOFA attestation is basically within the jurisdiction of the UAE while the justified document is further submitted to the embassy or consulate of the neighboring country.

Extent: MOFA attestation is essential for guidelines stipulating use within the borders of the nation while an embassy attestation is likely to be required in documents that are intended to move out of the country.

Summary

In a nutshell, MOFA attestation and embassy attestation are two different stages in the same procedure of legalizing documents. MOFA attestation serves the purpose of certifying documents within the UAE while embassy attestation deals with acceptance of documents by foreign countries. Knowing these disparities essentially helps to safeguard that your documents comply with all requirements for local or external utilization.

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