I am posting it to use as reference whenever need to have ID papers or certificates to be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in Dubai. Really the real problem is that the MOFA website http://www.government.ae/gov/en/gov/federal/mofa.jsp does not explain this process and only gives PO Box, telephone and fax numbers but no street address and an email address which I used unsuccessfully!
All vital certificates like birth, marriage, academic certificates and any other certificates used in support of applications for employment, residence, etc in Dubai have to be authenticated or attested by the relevant authority of the country that issued them, then by the consulate of that country in Dubai, and finally by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dubai office.
This is a brief description of the final process, as I experienced it, two days ago:
1. Go to the MOFA Dubai office as early as possible. I’m sure it opens at 08:30 Sunday thru Thursday. You must take the original certificate/s to be attested, sufficient money. It is AED 150 per certificate and they always request the right amount, ie, no change. The papers should be already attested by your country’s consulate in Dubai
2. As with many places in Dubai, the MOFA office doesn't appear to have a street address, but directions are:
a) Head for the Clock Tower roundabout in Deira, on the Dubai Airport side of Dubai Creek
(the clock is Googable using this link: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&q=clock+tower&sll=25.271139,55.307485&sspn=1.157393,2.554321&ie=UTF8&view=map&ll=25.262958,55.322578&spn=0.018086,0.039911&z=15&om=1
b) From the Clock Tower roundabout, head approximately north-west along Al Maktoum Road. At the intersection with Omar Bin Al Khattab Road, turn right and stop on the right as soon as possible
c) MOFA office is located in the corner you just turned. There is a small plaque, rather indistinct, above this entrance saying ” Ministry of Foreign Affairs” . The security staff at the desk inside the entrance can confirm that you're in the right place! Take the lift to the 7th floor and enter the MOFA office.
3. I would imagine parking around here is a nightmare, so recommend a taxi. If the driver doesn't know the MOFA, ask to be taken to Al Maktoum / Omar Bin Al Khattab intersection opposite Union Square, in Deira.
4. After entering the MOFA office, turn right and go along the corridor to room 4 at the end. This is where your certificate/s will be scrutinized and signed by an official before actual attestation takes place. There is no ticket system for this room, just sit on the bench and move up as each person is called
5. After it, take the certificate/s back along the corridor and enter the "Attestation" room on your right, opposite the entrance. Inside this room, on the left, there is an green-uniformed official on duty in the room that will give you a machine ticket. Wait to be served. Please don’t use the chairs in the right cause these are reserved for women. The room is very busy but things move pretty quickly so don't be discouraged if you are 40 places behind :-(
4. When your number is called, present the certificate/s and pay the fee due. The official will attach stamps to the value of the fee for each certificate and ink-stamp it
5. After stamping, take the certificate/s back along the corridor towards room 6 for final scrutiny and signature by an official. Again, there is no ticket system, just queue at the door
Hope this will be helpful for anyone needing to do same as me…
