Using documents from the United Arab Emirates in Qatar
Qatar is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents issued in the United Arab Emirates generally need consular legalization before Qatari authorities accept them. A typical route is:
- Issuing authority / notaryCertification by the issuing authority or a notary in the United Arab Emirates, where required.
- Foreign ministryAuthentication by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or designated authority of the United Arab Emirates.
- Embassy of QatarLegalization by the Embassy or Consulate of the State of Qatar accredited to the United Arab Emirates.
- MOFA QatarAttestation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar.
- TranslationCertified translation into English if the receiving institution requires it.
The exact steps depend on the document type and the authority that issued it. We confirm them before we start, so there are no surprises.
Using Qatari documents in the United Arab Emirates
Qatar cannot issue apostilles. Qatari documents are generally attested by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then legalized by the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates accredited to Qatar before use in the United Arab Emirates.
Apostille status of the United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is not a party to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention. Documents from the United Arab Emirates used abroad therefore require consular legalization rather than an apostille.
Translation for the United Arab Emirates
Our native translators work in Arabic, as well as Arabic and English, and certify translations for authorities in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Documents we commonly handle
- Birth, marriage and divorce certificates
- Degrees, diplomas and transcripts
- Police clearance certificates
- Powers of attorney and affidavits
- Company documents, commercial registrations and invoices
- Medical reports and professional licences
Related services
Embassy & Consulate Legalization
Consular legalization of documents by embassies and consulates, for countries that do not accept the apostille or require an extra embassy stamp.
MOFA Attestation in Qatar
Attestation by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs for documents issued in Qatar or legalized abroad, with the full chain handled for you.
Certified Translation
Official translations of personal, legal, academic and corporate documents, stamped and certified for ministries, courts, embassies and universities.
Document Retrieval
We obtain official records on your behalf – from Qatar or abroad – and deliver them translated and legalized.
Frequently asked questions
Does Qatar accept apostilles from the United Arab Emirates?
No. Qatar is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents from the United Arab Emirates for use in Qatar need to be legalized by the Embassy of Qatar and attested by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
How long does legalization of documents from the United Arab Emirates take?
It depends on the document, the authorities involved and embassy processing times. We give you an estimate together with your quote and keep you informed at every step.
Can you retrieve documents from the United Arab Emirates for me?
In many cases, yes. With your authorization our international network can request documents from authorities in the United Arab Emirates, legalize them and deliver them to you in Qatar.