Commercial Document Attestation

Commercial document attestation is the process of verifying corporate documents for legal acceptance in foreign countries, such as trade licenses, establishment cards, and powers of attorney. This process begins with the Chamber of Commerce's attestation, which is required for documents issued in the UAE. An authorised company representative must carry out this attestation.

The embassy of the destination country must attest the documents after the Chamber of Commerce attestation. For countries that are part of the Hague Convention, an apostille attestation often suffices, as evidenced by the US's acceptance of UK documents following this process. Additionally, commercial certificate attestation might be necessary to meet international legal requirements.

In the UAE, the following are common commercial documents for attestation:

1. Trade License: Attestation of a trade license is crucial for businesses to operate legally and is often required when establishing partnerships abroad.
2. Establishment Card: This document necessitates attestation for company registration and visa processing for UAE employees.
3. Power of Attorney (POA): Attesting a POA is essential for authorising legal representation in business transactions, both domestically and internationally.
4. Memorandum of Association: This document requires attestation to validate the company's legal framework and facilitate business expansion into foreign markets.
5. Commercial Contracts: The attestation of commercial contracts ensures legal enforceability and credibility in international business dealings.
6. For customs and trade purposes, it is necessary to attest invoices and bills to confirm their authenticity.
7. Financial Documents: Attesting financial documents is important for maintaining transparency and compliance with international financial regulations.
8. Trademark Registration: This attestation protects intellectual property rights across different jurisdictions.
9. Certificates of Origin: Attesting certificates of origin is required to prove the origin of goods and to qualify for trade benefits under international agreements.
10. Export and Import Declarations: For customs clearance and compliance with trade laws, the declarations must be attested.
11. Commercial Agreements: Attesting commercial agreements is crucial for legal recognition and enforcement in foreign jurisdictions.
12. Commercial invoices: These require attestation to verify cross-border transaction details and ensure compliance with import and export regulations.

What is an attested commercial invoice, and how do you prepare it for commercial document and certificate attestation?

An attested commercial invoice is a certified document confirming the authenticity of a transaction in international trade. To prepare it for attestation, the seller creates a detailed invoice with goods or service descriptions, quantities, prices, and payment terms. A commercial document or certificate then attests it, ensuring customs recognition and compliance with international regulations.

What is the procedure for attesting commercial documents on the MOFAIC website?

To attest a commercial invoice through the MOFAIC (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation) in the UAE, follow these steps:

1. Prepare the invoice. Make sure you have the original commercial invoice ready.
2. Chamber of Commerce Attestation: Obtain attestation from the Chamber of Commerce for the invoice.
3. MOFAIC Portal: To access the attestation services, visit the MOFAIC website or use their mobile app.
4. Application Form: Complete the online application form with the required details.
5. Document Submission: As specified, upload the necessary documents.
6. Payment: You can pay the attestation fees online through the portal.
7. For attestation, check the estimated processing time.
8. Collect the Attested Document: Once processed, collect the attested invoice from the designated location, or if applicable, receive it by mail.
9. If necessary, proceed with embassy attestation for the destination country.

In the UAE, what is the cost of commercial document attestation?

The cost of attesting a commercial document in the UAE is generally around 2,000 AED per document. However, the fees can vary based on the document type and any additional services that may be required.

Commercial document attestation is crucial for businesses intending to use their corporate documents internationally. The process involves several key steps:

1. Chamber of Commerce Attestation: This is the first step in ensuring the document's authenticity.
2. MOFA Attestation: Required for legal recognition in the UAE.
3. Embassy Attestation: Depending on whether the destination country is part of the Hague Convention, this step may be necessary.

Choosing a reputable service provider, like Benchmark Attestation Services, is vital to ensuring the secure and efficient handling of your documents throughout the attestation process.

For more information, please contact our expert team by calling our UAE hotline at +971 52 888 4714 or reaching out to us on WhatsApp.