What is an MOA in the UAE and why must it be attested?

An MOA is the constitutional document of a UAE company. It defines partners, capital and management rights. Authorities require attestation to ensure the document is valid, enforceable, and recognised for corporate procedures.

What does MOA mean in the UAE?

The MOA stands for Memorandum of Association, the primary constitutional document of a company. It defines the company’s legal identity, ownership structure, capital distribution, management authority and permitted activities. The MOA becomes valid and enforceable only after it has been properly attested by the competent authority and, where required, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Is an MOA required for company formation in the UAE?

Yes. An MOA for company formation in the UAE must be issued and attested by the competent authority; otherwise, the company cannot be registered or licensed.

Do I need to attest my MOA when applying for or renewing a trade licence?

If the licensing authority requests verification of ownership or structure, an authenticated trade licence MOA may be required, especially when amendments affect partners, capital or management.

When is MOA attestation needed for corporate compliance in the UAE?

Attested corporate documents are often required to meet corporate compliance in the UAE, including banking due diligence, regulatory filings and confirmation of authorised signatories.

Are MOA and AOA in the UAE the same?

No. Although they are related constitutional documents, the MOA and AOA serve different legal functions. The Memorandum of Association (MOA) defines the company’s structure, partners, capital, ownership percentages and main corporate parameters. The Articles of Association (AOA) regulate internal governance, voting rights, management rules and operational procedures. Both documents must be issued and attested according to the requirements of the competent authority, but they are not interchangeable and do not perform the same legal role.

Do constitutional documents in the UAE require translation before attestation?

If the document is not in Arabic and the receiving authority requires an Arabic version, constitutional documents in the UAE must be provided with a certified legal translation before attestation.

Does Dubai issue an apostille for company documents?

No. The UAE is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, which means an apostille in Dubai is not available for any corporate or commercial document. For international use, a Memorandum of Association must instead follow the UAE legalisation process: attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by legalisation at the embassy or consulate of the destination country.

MOA Authentication in Dubai – Legal Attestation for Company Documents

Name: MOA Authentication
Brand: EGSH

MOA Authentication Services in Dubai

Certified Attestation and Legal Translation for Company Documents

EGSH is an authorised government services centre providing compliant MOA authentication in Dubai, including certified legal translation and attestation of constitutional company documents for use inside and outside the UAE.

Through this service, clients receive a fully authenticated Memorandum of Association that meets the requirements of ministries, chambers of commerce, foreign missions, and international authorities. The attested document is legally recognised for licensing, corporate amendments, banking, and overseas use.

Benefits of using EGSH:

Authorised centre processing documents through official systems
Certified legal translation included where required
Same-visit submission and end-to-end handling
Transparent, government-regulated fees

Most MOA authentication submissions are completed within 1–3 business days, depending on the issuing authority and required attestations.

Certified Attestation and Legal Translation for Company Documents

Visit EGSH

You may visit EGSH during working hours and be assisted immediately with VIP, queue-free service, or book your appointment online at a preferred time convenient for you.

Document Review and Translation

Our consultant reviews your Memorandum of Association, supporting corporate documents, and the target country requirements, confirms the attestation chain, and arranges certified legal translation of the MOA if needed.

Submission for Official Attestation

EGSH coordinates the submission of your MOA and accompanying documents to the competent authorities for stamping and attestation, collects the applicable government fees, and monitors the progress of each step until completion.

Receive the Authenticated MOA

You receive your fully authenticated MOA together with the certified translation, ready for use with licensing authorities, banks, notaries, embassies, and other institutions inside and outside the UAE.

Visit EGSH for VIP Service Without Queues

You can stop by EGSH during working hours without an appointment or book your visit at a time that suits you best.

Address
Art of Living Mall, Al Barsha 2, Dubai

Operating hours
Monday — Saturday: 9:00 am — 5:00 pm
Sunday: Closed

Call +971 4 612 1810 WhatsApp

From the Issuing Authority

A valid Memorandum of Association (MOA) in its original form, signed and stamped by the issuing authority. If the MOA was issued outside the UAE, it must first be notarised and legalised in the country of origin before UAE embassy attestation.

Individual Requirements

Passport copy of the applicant or authorised signatory, Emirates ID (if applicable), and a copy of the trade licence for verification of company details and authority to request attestation.

Corporate Requirements

Company trade licence, existing constitutional documents (MOA/AOA), any board resolution authorising the attestation request, and a certified Arabic translation if the MOA is not already available in Arabic or English.

Government Compliance Requirements

For UAE documents: prior stamping by the relevant local authority. For foreign documents: notarisation, home-country legalisation, UAE embassy attestation, followed by final MoFA attestation.

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VIP Service

Personal assistance and priority processing with no queues.

Affordable Fees

Official government rates with transparent, fixed pricing.

All Services in One Place

Comprehensive range of UAE government services under one roof.

One-Visit Completion

Most procedures are completed in a single visit to the centre.

What Is MOA Authentication in Dubai

MOA authentication is the formal process through which a company’s Memorandum of Association becomes legally valid for use in the UAE and, where required, internationally. It confirms that the document was properly issued, executed, and endorsed by the relevant corporate authority, and that its signatures, seals, and content meet the standards required for official acceptance in government, regulatory, banking, and cross-border procedures.

In practical terms, authentication ensures that the MOA can be relied upon as an official corporate instrument when establishing a company, amending its structure, opening a bank account, proving ownership rights, dealing with regulators, or presenting company information abroad. The process generally includes competent-authority attestation inside the UAE, followed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) attestation for international validity.

The MoFA typically finalises digital attestation requests within 1-3 working days, depending on the document type and issuing entity.

Legal Basis of MOA Attestation in the UAE

The requirement to attest a Memorandum of Association is rooted in the legislative framework governing company formation and corporate documentation in the UAE. Under Federal Decree-Law No. (32) of 2021 on Commercial Companies, the MOA must be prepared in Arabic and attested by the competent authority of the respective emirate to become legally effective. Unattested constitutional documents are not considered valid for corporate actions or registration procedures.

For recognition beyond the UAE, MOA legalisation falls under the attestation regime of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), which defines attestation as the official confirmation of the authenticity of signatures and seals on documents issued inside or outside the UAE. The MoFA’s procedures apply to all commercial and corporate records that need to be recognised in a foreign jurisdiction or presented to a foreign mission. The ministry provides electronic and in-person channels for this process, and, where foreign authorities are involved, documents must follow the full international legalisation chain before final MoFA attestation in the UAE.

Types of MOA Legalisation

MOA legalisation in the UAE follows several distinct pathways, depending on the issuing authority, the intended use of the document, and whether the MOA must be recognised outside the country.

UAE-issued Memorandums of Association

For UAE-issued MOAs, the process begins with attestation by the competent authority responsible for company formation. In many cases, this includes Chamber of Commerce attestation, especially when the authenticated MOA will be used for commercial activities, trade licensing, or dealings with banking and financial institutions. Chamber attestation confirms that the document originates from a licensed UAE business and carries the correct corporate information.

When a UAE-issued MOA must be presented in another jurisdiction, it requires international document attestation in the UAE, which is completed through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). The MoFA validates the document for cross-border use, ensuring that foreign authorities can rely on its authenticity. If the destination country requires it, the process continues with embassy attestation in the UAE, where the relevant foreign mission certifies the document for recognition in its legal system.

Free zone MOAs follow a separate certification path. Each free zone authority acts as the registrar and competent attestation body for its own corporate instruments. A free zone MOA is valid within the zone upon issuance but must undergo MoFA attestation—and embassy attestation when required by the receiving jurisdiction—if the company intends to use the document outside the free zone, in mainland procedures, or internationally.

Foreign-Issued Memorandums of Association

For foreign-issued MOAs, legalisation operates in reverse: the document must first be notarised and endorsed by the authorities in the country of origin, then attested by the UAE embassy in that jurisdiction, and finally legalised by the MoFA once submitted inside the UAE. Only after completing this sequence is a foreign MOA accepted for licensing, branch registration, banking due diligence and compliance procedures, or other official corporate actions within the UAE.

When Memorandum of Association Authentication Is Required

MOA authentication is required whenever a company must present its constitutional document as legally valid before a UAE or foreign authority. At the time of company formation, attestation by the competent authority is mandatory, as an unauthenticated MOA cannot be registered or recognised for licensing purposes. Authentication is also required for any corporate amendment, such as changes in partners, capital, or management rights, because updated MOA versions take effect only once they are formally endorsed.

Banks and other regulated entities request an authenticated MOA during corporate due diligence checks, including:

Account opening
Verification of ownership
Confirmation of authorised signatories

Courts, notaries, and government departments may also require an authenticated MOA when the document is used as evidence of a company’s legal structure.

For international purposes, MOA authentication becomes compulsory because most foreign authorities recognise UAE corporate documents only after complete MoFA and embassy legalisation. This applies when establishing a branch abroad, submitting corporate records to a foreign regulator, or carrying out transactions that require verified company documentation.

How the Authorities Process MOA Authentication in the UAE

MOA authentication begins with verification by the authority that issued the document. For mainland companies, the Department of Economy confirms that the MOA is correctly drafted, signed, and recorded; for free zone companies, the same verification is carried out by the free zone registrar. Once confirmed, the authority formally attests the MOA, making it valid for use within the UAE.

If the document is intended for international use, it must then be submitted to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), which verifies the issuing authority’s stamp and signature and legalises the MOA for recognition outside the UAE. When a foreign jurisdiction requires it, the authenticated MOA is subsequently certified by the relevant embassy or consulate in the UAE.

For foreign-issued MOAs presented in the UAE, notarisation and foreign-ministry attestation in the country of origin, attestation by the UAE embassy abroad, and final legalisation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Only after this sequence do UAE authorities accept the document as an official corporate record.

Documents Required for MOA Authentication

The documents required for MOA authentication depend on whether the MOA was issued in the UAE, issued by a free zone authority, or originates from a foreign jurisdiction.

UAE-Issued MOA (Mainland Companies)

For MOAs issued by a Department of Economy, the following are required:

Original or certified copy of the Memorandum of Association
Valid trade licence (if already issued)
Passport or Emirates ID of the authorised signatory
Board resolution or authorisation letter, if the requester is not a partner

These documents allow the authority to confirm that the MOA was officially issued and that the requesting party is authorised to submit it for attestation.

Free Zone MOA

Free zone companies must provide the MOA and accompanying corporate records issued by the free zone registrar:

Original free zone MOA or Certificate of Formation
Registrar’s certification or true-copy stamp
Identification of the authorised signatory
Arabic translation if the document will be used on the mainland or internationally

This enables the MoFA and other authorities to recognise the free zone document as an official constitutional record.

Foreign-Issued MOA for Use in the UAE

Foreign corporate documents must undergo complete international legalisation before UAE authorities accept them. Required documents include:

Original foreign-issued MOA
Notarial certification in the country of origin
Attestation by the foreign ministry of the issuing country
UAE embassy or consulate attestation
Legalised Arabic translation (if not originally in Arabic)

Once this chain is complete, the MOA may be submitted to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs for final legalisation.

MOA for International Use

When a UAE-issued MOA is to be presented abroad, authorities typically require:

Competent authority attestation (mainland or free zone)
MoFA attestation confirming the UAE origin of the document
Embassy legalisation of the destination country
Certified translation into the language required by the receiving authority

This ensures that the MOA is recognised as an official corporate instrument in the foreign jurisdiction.

Where to Attest Memorandum of Association in Dubai

Applicants may submit documents through the MoFA’s official online system, by visiting a MoFA Customer Happiness Centre, or through an authorised government services centre such as EGSH, which manages the submission on the client’s behalf.

Online Attestation via the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The MoFA provides an online attestation service for business documents. The applicant logs in using UAE Pass, selects the attestation service, enters document details, chooses the courier option, and pays the applicable government fee. The MoFA-approved courier collects the original MOA, delivers it to the MoFA, and returns it after attestation. Online MoFA attestation is typically completed within 1–3 working days, depending on document type and the ministry’s processing volume.

Submission Through the MoFA Customer Happiness Centres

Applicants may also submit the MOA at the MoFA Customer Happiness Centres in Dubai. The original document is presented for verification, the fee is paid on site, and the MoFA completes the attestation within 1-3 business days.

Attestation Through EGSH

EGSH provides an MOA authentication service as an authorised government services centre. The client submits the original Memorandum of Association and supporting corporate documents at the EGSH office.

If the MOA is not in Arabic or the receiving authority requires a certified version, EGSH arranges a legal translation of the MOA with certification. Once the translation and all preliminary verifications are completed, EGSH processes the attestation request through the official channels, including competent-authority stamping and MoFA legalisation, depending on the requirements of the jurisdiction where the document will be used.

After the attestation has been completed by the relevant authorities, the authenticated MOA is returned to EGSH, where the client can collect the final document in 1-3 business days.

Embassy or Consulate Attestation

If the MOA must be used in a specific foreign jurisdiction, some countries require an additional attestation by their embassy or consulate in the UAE after the MoFA stamp. In such cases, the applicant submits the MoFA-attested MOA to the relevant embassy or uses the mission’s designated service centre. The foreign mission then certifies the document for use under its national legal system.

Attesting Foreign-Issued MOAs

Foreign-issued MOAs must complete the full legalisation sequence in the country of origin—notarisation, foreign ministry attestation, and UAE-embassy attestation—before the MoFA can apply its final legalisation in Dubai. Once this chain is complete, the document can be submitted online, at a MoFA centre, or through EGSH for final processing.

Official Fees for Company Document Attestation in Dubai

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs applies an attestation fee that ranges from AED 150 to AED 2,000, depending on the type of document being legalised. If the MOA must be recognised in a foreign jurisdiction, the embassy or consulate of the destination country may charge an additional legalisation fee. These fees vary between missions and are paid directly to the foreign authority or its authorised service centre.

For foreign-issued MOAs, the applicant must also account for the attestation fees charged in the country of origin—such as notarial certification, foreign ministry endorsement, and UAE-embassy attestation. Certified translation fees apply when the document must be provided in Arabic for UAE authorities or in another language for international use.

Common Issues and Delays of Business Document Legalisation in Dubai

Delays in MOA legalisation occur when the document is submitted without the mandatory prior attestations. Foreign-issued MOAs are not accepted by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs if they lack notarisation, foreign ministry endorsement, or UAE-embassy legalisation.

Processing may also be halted if the document contains discrepancies between signatory details and the company’s current licence, outdated corporate information, or unstamped amendments. Authorities do not process laminated or damaged documents, as their authenticity cannot be verified.

Additional delays arise from incomplete or uncertified translations, particularly when an Arabic version is required for domestic use or when a foreign authority mandates a translation into its national language. For documents requiring onward embassy legalisation, the processing time depends on the foreign mission’s internal procedures and may extend the overall completion timeline.

Explained by

Omar Al Qasem

Government Services at EGSH

Omar Al Qasem has extensive experience in legal consulting and government services in Dubai, including the management of one of the emirate’s major government service centres. He has worked across key roles in government relations, operations, and strategic service delivery, building strong professional connections with multiple Dubai authorities and leading entities.

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