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For documents issued in France to be recognized in the United Arab Emirates, they must undergo a specific attestation process. As France is a signatory to the Hague Convention, documents are typically legalized through an Apostille, a form of authentication accepted across the Convention's Contracting Parties (130 as at 30 June 2026). However, the UAE does not recognize the Apostille due to its non-membership in the convention. Consequently, individuals planning to live, study, or work in the UAE must ensure their French-issued documents are properly attested. This France certificate attestation involves additional steps to verify the document's authenticity, fulfilling the UAE's legal requirements for foreign nationals.
What is the procedure for French Certificate Attestation for UAE use?
The procedure for attesting French certificates for use in the UAE involves several steps to ensure the documents are legally recognized for various purposes, such as employment, study, or residency. Here's a general overview:
1. Verification of Documents
The relevant authorities in France must first confirm that your French documents are genuine. For educational documents, this might involve obtaining a Certified True Copy that is recognized for the legalization process. Personal documents must be original since French authorities do not accept Certified True Copies for personal certificates during the attestation process.
2. Legalisation in France
The next step is legalisation of the document in France. This was handled by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs until 1 September 2025; since that date the notarial profession issues legalisations, through the Regional Councils and Interdepartmental Chambers of Notaries. Legalisation confirms the authenticity of the signature, seal or stamp on the document. Note that for personal documents the French authority and the UAE Embassy in Paris require original certificates, and personal documents are generally only accepted within three months of issue.
3. UAE Embassy Attestation in Paris
Once the document has been legalised in France, the UAE Embassy in Paris must attest it. This step confirms that the UAE Embassy recognises the document after the French authority has authenticated it.
4. MOFA Attestation in the UAE
Upon arrival in the UAE, the final step involves getting your documents attested by the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This ultimate attestation ensures that your French certificates are accepted for official use within the United Arab Emirates.
How do I get an Apostille in France?
1. Determine Document Eligibility
First, identify if your document requires an Apostille for its use abroad. Common types of documents include legal certificates, educational degrees, and official government records.
2. Prepare the document
Make sure that the document is original and fully intact. Some documents may need prior certification before they are eligible for an Apostille.
3. Contact the competent notarial authority
Since 1 May 2025 the apostille in France is issued by the notarial profession, not by the Cour d'Appel. Apostille requests go to one of the 15 Regional Councils or Interdepartmental Chambers of Notaries, and the apostille is issued in electronic format. From 1 September 2025 the notarial profession also took over legalisation from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
4. Submission to the competent chamber of notaries
Submit your document to the Regional Council or Interdepartmental Chamber of Notaries competent for the place where the document was issued. This step verifies the authenticity of the signature, seal or stamp on the document; it does not certify the content of the document.
5. Fee Payment
Be prepared to pay a processing fee, if applicable. Check the current fee and accepted payment methods directly with the competent chamber of notaries.
6. Apostille Issuance
After processing, the apostille is issued electronically and linked to your document, certifying it for use in other Apostille Convention countries.
Since 2025 both the apostille and the legalisation of French public documents are handled by the notarial profession rather than by the Cour d'Appel or the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Because the UAE is not a Contracting Party to the Apostille Convention, French documents intended for use in the UAE follow the legalisation route, then attestation by the UAE Embassy in France and finally MOFA attestation in the UAE. The exact sequence depends on the document type and the UAE authority receiving it, so always confirm the current requirements before you submit.
For more information, please contact our team by calling our UAE hotline at +971 58 648 2332. We are also available on WhatsApp.
