Death certificate attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) involves submitting the certificate through the Ministry’s document attestation service after obtaining any prior endorsements required for the issuing authority. Some eligible UAE-issued digital certificates can be attested online, while paper certificates and documents issued abroad may follow different procedures.
Families may need an attested death certificate for use outside the UAE, for submission to an embassy or government department, for inheritance-related matters, or for urgent arrangements connected with repatriating the deceased.
This guide explains the application steps, differences between UAE-issued and foreign death certificates, supporting documents, fees, processing times, urgent enquiries, and how to verify the completed attestation.
How to Get a Death Certificate Attested by UAE MoFA
You can apply for UAE MoFA death certificate attestation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or the UAE MOFA app. Once you identify the issuing authority and document type, the system determines the appropriate route: digital attestation or attestation using an approved courier.
For a death certificate issued in the UAE, the usual application steps are:
- Open the official MoFA Document Attestation service.
- Sign in using UAE PASS.
- Select the attestation service within the UAE.
- Confirm that the death certificate was issued in the UAE.
- Select the actual issuing authority and document type.
- Follow the attestation route assigned by the platform, whether digital or through an approved courier.
- Complete the requested details and pay the applicable fees.
- Receive the attested certificate electronically or through the courier, according to the approved route.
Digital Death Certificate Attestation Steps
If the certificate is eligible for digital attestation, the application normally involves:
- Selecting the country where the document will be used.
- Uploading the original digital certificate issued by the competent authority.
- Checking the application details and confirming their accuracy.
- Paying the fee and submitting the application.
- Receiving the digitally attested document by email or through the My Requests section of the MoFA website.
Attestation Through an Approved Courier
If the system assigns the courier route, you will need to enter the document owner’s details and contact information, then choose an approved courier and an available collection and delivery schedule.
After payment, the original death certificate is handed over to the selected provider and returned following attestation.
Check the information carefully before submitting the request. Incorrect details may require a new application rather than a change to an already submitted request.
Death Certificate Issuance vs. Death Certificate Attestation
Issuing a death certificate creates the official document recording a person’s death. Attestation by MoFA authenticates the relevant signature and seal on the document; it does not issue a new death certificate or correct details in the original record.
The key differences are:
| Comparison | Issuing a Death Certificate | Attesting a Death Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Officially record the death | Authenticate the document’s signature and seal |
| Responsible authority | Authorised health or government issuing authority | MoFA or the relevant UAE mission, as applicable |
| Outcome | Official death certificate | Death certificate bearing the required attestation |
| Requirements | Complete death registration procedures | Meet attestation requirements and obtain previous endorsements, where necessary |
| Fees | Depend on the issuing authority | Depend on MoFA fees and the service route |
When Is MoFA Death Certificate Attestation Required?
Attestation may be requested when a death certificate is submitted to an overseas government authority, embassy, or institution that requires authenticated foreign documents.
It may also be needed for certain inheritance, civil, or administrative procedures. However, MoFA attestation is not a universal requirement for every use of a death certificate within the UAE. Confirm the receiving authority’s requirements before applying.
Can Attestation Replace the Issuance of a Death Certificate?
No. The death certificate must first be issued by the competent authority, followed by attestation if required.
An exception in terms of workflow is the integrated digital route offered for certain newly issued certificates: eligible applicants can request issuance and the associated digital attestations through the participating health authority’s electronic platform.
UAE-Issued vs. Foreign-Issued Death Certificate Attestation
The requirements depend on where the death certificate was issued, the form of the document, and the country where it will be used.
Death Certificate Issued in the UAE
For a certificate issued by a competent UAE health authority, first establish whether it is an original digital document eligible for digital attestation.
An eligible certificate may contain a QR code, reference number, or another accepted electronic verification mechanism and must originate from a supported issuing authority.
Paper certificates may instead require submission of the original through an approved courier once the necessary endorsements have been completed.
Death Certificate Issued Outside the UAE
If the certificate was issued abroad, check the attestation requirements of the issuing country. The route may involve the relevant domestic authority, the issuing country’s ministry of foreign affairs, and the appropriate UAE embassy or consulate.
MoFA allows applications for documents issued outside the UAE through selected UAE missions. Check the relevant mission’s website to confirm whether electronic submission is available or an in-person application is required.
A legal translation or an additional endorsement may also be needed, depending on the document’s language and the requirements of the authority receiving it in the UAE.
The digital attestation route for eligible UAE-issued documents should not be assumed to cover every foreign death certificate.
Does a Death Certificate Need Embassy Attestation?
That depends on the country of issue and the country or authority where the certificate will be used.
A foreign-issued certificate may require attestation by a UAE mission in its issuing country. Conversely, a UAE-issued certificate intended for use abroad may require an additional mission or consular attestation, depending on the destination country’s requirements and the available service route.
MoFA attestation, attestation by a UAE mission, and legalisation by a foreign embassy are distinct procedures. Not all of them are required in every case.
Online Death Certificate Attestation in the UAE
Eligible original digital death certificates issued in the UAE can be attested through MoFA’s electronic channels without handing over a paper original.
This does not mean that a scan of a paper death certificate becomes an eligible digital certificate merely because it is saved as a PDF.
Digital Attestation When a New Death Certificate Is Issued
MoFA has integrated its digital attestation service with participating health-sector platforms, including services associated with the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) and Emirates Health Services (EHS).
Where the integrated service is available, the applicant may select MoFA’s digital attestation while applying for a new death certificate through the participating health authority’s online channels.
After the authority approves the certificate’s issuance, the relevant digital attestations can be provided through the integrated process without submitting a separate application on the MoFA website.
MoFA states that the integrated digital attestation can be completed within minutes after issuance is approved. This depends on the certificate, the participating authority, and the scope of the service; it does not cover every death certificate issued in the UAE.
Attesting a Previously Issued Death Certificate
If the death certificate has already been issued but has not been attested, apply through the MoFA website or its mobile app.
The system determines whether digital attestation is available or whether the original must be provided through the courier service. The date of issue alone does not determine eligibility; the issuing authority, document format, and verification requirements also matter.
Conditions for Digital Death Certificate Attestation
- The certificate was issued in the UAE.
- It comes from an issuing authority supported by the digital service.
- It is an original digital document, not merely a scan of a paper certificate.
- It contains an accepted verification feature, such as a QR code, barcode, or reference number.
- Its information is clear, complete, and consistent with the application.
- The document type is eligible under the options currently shown on the MoFA platform.
If these conditions are not met, the system may assign the approved courier route.
Documents Required for Death Certificate Attestation
The documents and information you need depend on who issued the certificate, whether it is digital or paper, and the attestation route selected by MoFA.
Requirements for a Digital Death Certificate
For digital attestation, prepare the original electronic death certificate issued by the competent authority. The document must contain an acceptable electronic verification mechanism, and its details must match the information entered in the application.
The platform may ask you to upload the original digital file, depending on the service route.
Requirements for a Paper Death Certificate
Where MoFA assigns the approved courier route, the original document must be supplied with the required previous endorsements.
- Prepare the original death certificate.
- Complete prior authentication or attestation by the relevant authority, where necessary.
- Use a certificate in Arabic or English, or arrange an appropriate legal translation if required.
- Ensure the original document is not laminated.
- Follow the courier’s instructions for collection and return.
Uploading a scanned paper certificate does not replace delivery of the original when the selected route requires it.
Requirements for a Foreign Death Certificate
A foreign-issued death certificate may require previous endorsements in its issuing country, UAE mission attestation, and a legal translation, depending on the circumstances.
Ask the receiving authority whether it requires the original certificate or an attested copy.
For help identifying the appropriate requirements, see One Point Legal Services’ document attestation services.
Need to attest a death certificate but unsure which documents or approvals are required? One Point Legal Services can help review the certificate and explain the relevant attestation route based on where it was issued and where it will be used.
Ask About Death Certificate Attestation
Or continue reading to understand the fees and processing times.
UAE Death Certificate Attestation Fees in 2026
The MoFA attestation fee for a death certificate is AED 150 per document, as death certificates fall within the personal status document category.
The overall cost may be higher if the certificate requires additional UAE mission attestation, legal translation, courier delivery, or previous legalisation steps.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| MoFA attestation of one death certificate | AED 150 |
| Additional attestation by a UAE mission, where applicable | AED 150 for a personal status document under the relevant service |
| Integrated digital attestation for an eligible new death certificate, including MoFA and UAE mission attestation | AED 300 total |
| Legal translation | Depends on language and provider |
| Courier services and previous legalisations | Depends on the service route |
The AED 300 integrated service comprises AED 150 for MoFA attestation and AED 150 for attestation by the UAE mission in the destination country.
Not every death certificate requires AED 300 in attestation fees. The appropriate services depend on the destination and the receiving authority’s requirements.
These amounts do not necessarily include the fee for issuing the death certificate, legal translation, or delivery. The MoFA platform displays the amount payable before payment is completed.
How Long Does Death Certificate Attestation Take in the UAE?
Processing time varies according to the route. MoFA states that digital attestation for eligible UAE-issued documents can be completed within two hours during official working hours, while attestation using a courier in the UAE generally takes one to three business days, depending on the selected service provider.
| Attestation route | Published or indicative timeframe |
|---|---|
| Digital attestation of an eligible UAE-issued certificate | Within 2 hours during official working hours |
| Attestation through a courier inside the UAE | 1–3 business days |
| Attestation through a UAE mission abroad | Depends on the mission and available service route |
| Integrated digital attestation for an eligible newly issued certificate | Within minutes after the health authority approves issuance |
These processing times do not include the time needed to obtain the original death certificate, arrange previous legalisations, or complete translations.
The ability to submit an application online at any time does not mean that every application is processed outside official working hours.
How to Verify an Attested Death Certificate
You can check an eligible digitally attested document using the Ministry’s MOFA VERIFY portal.
- Open the official verification platform.
- Select the relevant document verification or status option.
- Enter the reference number and issue date as requested by the portal.
- Review the certificate details and attestation status.
- Make sure the downloaded document is complete and contains the attestation page.
The application reference number may differ from the attestation reference printed on the document. If the downloaded certificate appears incomplete, obtain the latest completed version or contact MoFA for assistance.
Urgent Death Certificate Attestation for Repatriation from the UAE
If you urgently need a death certificate attested for the repatriation of a deceased person’s remains from the UAE, MoFA advises contacting its call centre to coordinate the required attestation procedures.
MoFA call centre inside the UAE: 800 44444. The Ministry also provides the international dialling format 00971 80044444 in its published FAQs.
Contacting the Ministry does not guarantee completion within a fixed timeframe. The result depends on whether the certificate has been issued, the required endorsements have been obtained, and other formalities have been completed.
How to Request Urgent Attestation
- Contact the MoFA call centre and explain that the request concerns repatriation of the deceased.
- Identify the authority issuing the death certificate and confirm whether it has already been issued.
- Explain the destination country.
- Ask about the urgent attestation procedure and any required instructions.
- Coordinate with the relevant health, administrative, and consular authorities regarding additional documents and permits.
Death certificate attestation is not the same as permission to transport human remains. Attesting the certificate does not replace health, administrative, or consular approvals that may be required for repatriation.
What If the Death Occurred Outside the UAE?
The requirements differ depending on where the death occurred, the deceased person’s nationality, and the authorities responsible for issuing the documents.
UAE missions may assist with matters concerning UAE nationals who die abroad, subject to applicable procedures. For foreign residents, the deceased person’s embassy or consulate may need to be contacted regarding documentation and repatriation requirements.
Transporting remains from the UAE to another country and bringing remains into the UAE are separate processes with different requirements.
Common Mistakes When Attesting a Death Certificate
Problems with document type, issuing authority, or prior endorsements can cause delays, rejection, or the need for a new application.
- Confusing issuance with attestation: These are separate procedures, except where an eligible integrated service combines them.
- Selecting the wrong issuing authority: The application must match the certificate.
- Uploading a scan instead of an original digital certificate: A scanned PDF does not automatically qualify for digital attestation.
- Missing prior endorsements: This is particularly relevant for documents issued outside the UAE.
- Selecting the wrong destination country: This may affect the assigned route and services.
- Submitting a laminated paper certificate: This does not meet the published requirements for physical attestation.
- Using an incomplete digitally attested file: Check that the completed document contains its attestation page.
- Delaying urgent enquiries: Contact MoFA promptly where the certificate is needed for repatriation procedures.
Before applying, confirm what the receiving authority actually requires, particularly when the certificate will be used outside the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions About Death Certificate Attestation
How can I attest a death certificate through UAE MoFA?
Apply through the MoFA document attestation website or UAE MOFA app after ensuring the death certificate has been issued and any required previous endorsements are complete. Sign in using UAE PASS for the UAE application route, choose the correct issuing authority and document type, and follow the digital or courier procedure assigned by the platform. Pay the applicable fee and collect the completed attestation.
How much does death certificate attestation cost in the UAE?
MoFA charges AED 150 to attest a death certificate as a personal status document. Where the eligible integrated digital service includes both MoFA and a UAE mission's attestation, the published total is AED 300. Translation, courier, issuance, or foreign legalisation charges may be additional. The exact amount payable should be checked during the application.
Can a death certificate be attested online without submitting the paper original?
Yes, if the document is an original UAE-issued digital death certificate eligible for MoFA's digital service. The document must come from a supported authority and contain an accepted verification mechanism. A scan of a paper certificate is not automatically eligible. Where the platform assigns a courier route, the original paper certificate may need to be collected.
Can I attest a death certificate issued outside the UAE?
Yes, subject to the requirements for the issuing country and the UAE authority receiving the document. The certificate may first need authentication by the relevant authorities in the country of issue, followed by attestation by its ministry of foreign affairs and the appropriate UAE mission. Legal translation or further attestations may also be required.
How long does it take to attest a death certificate in the UAE?
MoFA publishes a timeframe of up to two hours during official working hours for eligible UAE-issued digital documents and one to three business days for the courier route within the UAE. Eligible new certificates processed through an integrated health-sector service may receive digital attestations within minutes after issuance approval. Previous endorsements and other formalities add time.
What should I do if I need urgent attestation to repatriate a body?
Contact the MoFA call centre on 800 44444 within the UAE and explain that the attestation is needed for repatriation. Have the issuing authority, certificate status, and destination country details available. You should also coordinate separately with the relevant health, police, airline, and consular authorities where required, as attestation does not replace transport permissions.
Does a death certificate need embassy attestation as well as MoFA attestation?
It depends on where the certificate was issued and where it will be used. A foreign-issued certificate may require attestation by a UAE embassy or consulate, while some UAE-issued certificates used abroad may need further mission or consular formalities. Ask the receiving authority which endorsements it accepts before purchasing additional services.
How do I check whether my digitally attested death certificate is genuine?
Use MOFA VERIFY and follow the prompts for document status or verification. Enter the reference details required by the platform and compare the returned information with your completed document. If the attestation page is missing or the result is unclear, obtain an updated copy or ask MoFA for assistance.
Conclusion
Death certificate attestation through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs starts with identifying the issuing authority, completing any necessary endorsements, and following the digital or courier route assigned by MoFA.
The process may differ when a death certificate was issued abroad or is urgently needed for repatriation. Confirm the receiving authority’s requirements before submitting the application.
One Point Legal Services can assist with reviewing the death certificate’s requirements, identifying the relevant attestation route, and coordinating document preparation and procedural support within its licensed scope. Official attestation and repatriation permits remain the responsibility of the competent government authorities.
Official Sources
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Document Attestation: digital and courier procedures, requirements, and processing times.
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Frequently Asked Questions: death certificate fees, the integrated digital service, and urgent repatriation enquiries.
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Integrated Digital Birth and Death Certificate Attestation: participating health services and the integrated workflow.
- UAE Government – Deaths: death certificate issuance and associated procedures.
- UAE Government – Birth or Death Abroad: guidance on cases arising outside the UAE.
- MOFA VERIFY: verification of digitally attested documents.
Important notice: This guide provides general procedural information. Attestation requirements may vary according to the issuing authority, the country of use, and the service route available when you apply. Attestation of a death certificate does not replace health, administrative, or consular permits required for repatriation.
