Introduction

Expanding your UK business into the UAE is an exciting opportunity, whether in a Free Zone or on the Mainland. However, before you can establish corporate shareholding, your company documents must be properly attested to comply with UAE regulations.

At Theta 7, we streamline the document attestation process for companies setting up in the UAE. We have teamed up with Aria Grace to provide a seamless attestation service. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step attestation process, detailing the required documents, certification procedures, and costs involved.

Understanding UAE Attestation Requirements

Attestation is a legal process that validates UK corporate documents for use in the UAE. Without proper attestation, UK companies cannot hold shares in UAE entities. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) requires foreign corporate documents to go through a multi-step verification process before they are recognized.

There are two main business structures in the UAE where attestation is required:

Free Zone Companies – 100% foreign ownership is allowed, but regulations vary by Free Zone.
Mainland Companies – Requires compliance with UAE's Ministry of Economy and other regulatory bodies.

Failing to complete proper attestation can lead to business registration delays, legal complications, or even rejection of corporate ownership applications.

Required Documents for Attestation

To establish corporate shareholding in the UAE, the following documents must be attested by the UAE Minisrty of Foreign Affairs:

General UAE Attestation Requirements:

1. Certificate of Incorporation - No lawyer certification required.

2. Certificate of Incumbency or Letter from a Lawyer/Auditor - Requires lawyer certification.

3. Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA/AOA) - No lawyer certification required.

4. Shareholder Resolution to Incorporate a Subsidiary - Requires lawyer certification.

The UK Interpretation of the Above Requirements

1. Certificate of Incorporation & Company Memorandum – No lawyer certification required.

2. Certificate of Incumbency / Letter from Lawyer or Auditor – Requires lawyer certification.

3. Articles of Association (MOA) – No lawyer certification required.

4. Shareholder Resolution to Incorporate Subsidiary on Company Letterhead – Requires lawyer certification.

Additional Requirement for Multi-Layered Ownership Structures

If the UK company is owned by other UK or non-UK companies, a Certificate of Incumbency will be required for each company in the ownership chain. However, attestation is only required for the first layer of ownership, not parent companies further up the structure.

Step-by-Step Attestation Process

1. Lawyer Certification – Get documents certified by an SRA Approved UK Notary or Lawyer (Only required for Certificate of Incumbency/Letter from Lawyer or Auditor & Shareholder Resolution to Incorporate Subsidiary).

2. UK Legalisation (Apostille Stamp) – Submit certified documents to the UK FCDO. Cost: £45/page. Process: Apply & pay via UK Legalisation Service → Post to FCDO → Returned via mail.

3. UAE Embassy Legalisation (London) – Forward legalised documents to the UAE Embassy in London. Cost: 2000 AED/document. Process: Pay via UAE MOFA Attestation Service → Post to UAE Embassy → Returned via mail.

4. UAE MOFA Attestation – Submit documents to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Cost: 150 AED/document. Process: Pay via UAE MOFA Attestation → Courier to MOFA for processing.

5. Arabic Translation – After MOFA attestation, documents must be translated (English to Arabic). Service: Provided by Theta 7 in Dubai office.

Common Challenges in Attestation and How to Overcome Them

1. Delays in Processing

Solution: Use a professional attestation service to speed up legalisation.

2. Incorrect Documentation

Solution: Ensure all documents meet UAE requirements before submission.

3. Rejections at MOFA or Embassy

Solution: Work with experienced attestation professionals like Theta 7 to prevent errors.

Cost Breakdown for Attestation Process

Attestation Stage	Cost per Document
Lawyer Certification	Varies by service provider
FCDO Legalisation	£45
UAE Embassy Legalisation	2000 AED
UAE MOFA Attestation	150 AED
Arabic Translation	Varies based on document length

Why Choose Theta 7 for Attestation?

At Theta 7, we provide a hassle-free, end-to-end attestation service in partnership with Aria Grace. Here’s why businesses trust us:

End-to-End Assistance – We handle everything, from UK lawyer certification to UAE MOFA attestation.
Secure & Efficient Processing – We ensure safe document transfers between the UK and UAE.
Trusted Partnerships – Our collaboration with Aria Grace guarantees compliance and smooth processing.

How to Get Started with Theta 7?

Setting up corporate shareholding in the UAE doesn’t have to be stressful. Let Theta 7 handle your attestation process from start to finish.

📞 Contact us today for expert assistance in UAE company setup!

FAQs

1. How long does the UK company attestation process take for UAE corporate shareholding?

The process typically takes 2-3 months, depending on processing times at the FCDO, UAE Embassy, and MOFA.

2. Can I use scanned copies instead of original documents for attestation?

No, original documents are required at each attestation stage.

3. What happens if my documents are rejected at any stage?

Theta 7 will review and correct errors to ensure your documents meet UAE compliance standards.

4. Is attestation different for Free Zone vs. Mainland business setup?

The process is similar, but Mainland companies may have additional requirements from UAE authorities.

5. Can Theta 7 assist with other business setup services in the UAE?

Yes! We offer a full range of corporate services, from company registration to visa processing.

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