What It is
Legalisation is the process of confirming that the signatures, seals and stamps on a document are genuine so an authority in another country will accept it. For documents moving between the UAE and abroad it typically follows a chain: notarisation or issuance in the origin country, authentication by that country’s authorities, and attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAIC), with a certified Arabic translation where required.
What it is not
It is not the same as notarisation, which authenticates a signature or document locally, and it does not change what a document says or give it legal effect beyond confirming authenticity. It is separate from an apostille, a single-step certificate used between countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention.
Where it is used
Legalisation applies when a UAE-issued document must be used abroad, or when a foreign document — such as a power of attorney or a birth or marriage certificate — must be accepted inside the UAE.
Related Terms
How we define terms
Every definition on glossary.ae follows a controlled structure: what the term is, what it is not, when it is used, and where you will see it. Read our editorial methodology to understand how terms are selected, reviewed, and maintained.
Read editorial methodology →
Last reviewed: August 2026