A passport with travel stamps
Personal attestation

Death certificate attestation

When a family member's death certificate is needed for inheritance, insurance or bank matters in the UAE, it usually has to be attested first. Each stamp is added by the issuing authorities, the UAE embassy or the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and we look after the preparation, submission and collection with care and at your pace.

WhatsApp an adviserBook a consultation
Overview

When a death certificate needs attestation

A death certificate is often needed in the UAE long after the funeral: to close a bank account, claim on an insurance policy, transfer property or start an inheritance case. If the certificate was issued in another country, the bank, insurer or court will usually ask for it to be attested before they act on it.

A foreign death certificate follows the same chain as other personal documents: the issuing country's foreign ministry, then the UAE embassy or consulate there, then MOFA. The local steps before the foreign ministry differ between countries, so we confirm them for yours. A certificate issued in the UAE is attested by the issuing body and then MOFA, and some are issued with a digital MOFA attestation already in place.

Who it's for

Who it's for

  • 01

    Heirs and close relatives

    You need the certificate for an inheritance, bank or property process in the UAE.

  • 02

    Family representatives

    You're acting for the family under a power of attorney and need the certificate attested.

  • 03

    Employers

    You need an attested certificate to close a deceased employee's file and settle their affairs.

Our part

What we do, and what we don't

Clear boundaries, so you know exactly what you're paying for and who decides each step.

Included

  • Checking the certificate and the documents that link you to the deceased
  • Confirming the attestation route for the issuing country
  • Submitting the certificate at each stage and arranging courier of the original
  • MOFA submission through its online channels
  • Arranging an Arabic legal translation for a court or other authority

Not included

  • Issuing or correcting a death certificate
  • Legal advice on inheritance or how an estate is divided
  • Representing you in court or before an insurer or bank
Documents

Documents you'll need

  • The original death certificate, not laminated
  • A copy of the deceased person's passport
  • A copy of your own passport or Emirates ID
  • Proof of your relationship to the deceased, if the receiving authority asks for it
  • A power of attorney if you're acting for other family members

Banks, insurers and courts can each ask for different supporting documents, so we confirm their list before you start.

Fees and timing

Two fees, shown separately

  • Government fees, paid at cost

    MOFA charges AED 150 to attest a death certificate as a personal document. Home-country and embassy fees differ from country to country; they're paid at cost and agreed with you before payment.

  • Global Sky PRO service fee

    Quoted in writing before we start, so you know the full cost up front.

  • Timing

    Timing depends on where the certificate was issued. We give you an honest estimate once we know the route, and we won't press you to move faster than suits your family.

Process

How it works, step by step

Each step shows who does what, so you always know where things stand.

  • You
  • Global Sky PRO
  • Authority

  1. Step 1: Share what you have

    You

    Send a photo of the certificate and tell us who needs it, whether a bank, insurer or court. There is no rush; we work to your timing.

  2. Step 2: Plan and quote

    Global Sky PRO

    We confirm the route for the issuing country and send our service fee in writing, with government fees listed separately.

  3. Step 3: Issuing-country and embassy stages

    Authority

    The authorities where the certificate was issued, and then the UAE embassy there, attest it.

  4. Step 4: MOFA

    Authority

    MOFA completes the UAE attestation once the earlier stamps are in place.

  5. Step 5: Translation and hand-back

    Global Sky PRO

    Where needed, we arrange an Arabic legal translation and return the attested certificate to you.

Good to know

Details that save time

If the certificate is for an inheritance case

In Dubai, inheritance certificates are issued by the Inheritance Court of Dubai Courts, and requests can be made online. The court will usually ask for the death certificate to be attested and, if it isn't in Arabic, legally translated by a translator registered with the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).

We can prepare those documents and guide you through the heirship certificate application. We're not a law firm, though, and we don't advise on how an estate should be divided or represent anyone in court; for that, please speak to a licensed advocate.

FAQs

Death certificate attestation: your questions

Short answers here. Your situation may differ, so ask us before you decide.

Still have a question?

An adviser replies during opening hours, Mon–Sat 10:00–21:00.

Ask on WhatsApp
When does a death certificate need attestation?

Whenever a UAE bank, insurer, court or government office needs to rely on a death certificate issued abroad. Common reasons include inheritance cases, insurance claims, closing bank accounts and transferring property. A certificate issued in the UAE may also need the issuing body's and MOFA's attestation, unless it already carries a digital one.

Which documents do I need for death certificate attestation?

You'll need the original death certificate, a copy of the deceased person's passport and a copy of your own passport or Emirates ID. Depending on who will receive it, proof of your relationship or a power of attorney may also be needed. We confirm the full list with the bank, insurer or court's requirements in mind.

Can a relative apply on my behalf?

Yes. MOFA allows another person to submit an attestation for you, so a relative, or we, can manage the UAE stage. Home-country authorities may have their own rules about who can apply, and banks or courts may ask the person acting for the family to show a power of attorney. We check this early.

Is a UAE-issued death certificate already attested?

Sometimes. Certain death certificates issued in the UAE come with a digital MOFA attestation, and these can be checked through UAE PASS. Others still need the issuing body's attestation followed by MOFA's. Send us a photo of the certificate and we'll tell you which applies, so you don't pay for a stage you don't need.

Can I request death certificate attestation by phone?

Yes. MOFA accepts death certificate attestation requests through its call centre on +971 800 44444, alongside its website and the UAE MOFA app. That can be easier than an online application at a difficult time. The usual conditions still apply: the certificate must already carry the earlier stamps it needs and must not be laminated. We can make the request with you or handle the preparation for you.

Source: MOFA: attestation FAQs

How do I attest a UAE death certificate for use in another country?

If the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) issued it, the death certificate can be attested digitally by MOFA and by the UAE embassy in the country where it will be used, at AED 150 each, or AED 300 in total. MOFA says this is completed within a few minutes of the health authority's approval, and MOHAP's call centre deals with payment or delay problems. Earlier certificates without it go through MOFA's standard attestation service.

Source: MOFA: attestation FAQs

What are the fees to attest a death certificate issued abroad?

At the UAE stage, MOFA charges AED 150, as a death certificate is a personal document. Before that, the foreign ministry in the issuing country and the UAE embassy there charge their own fees, which differ by country and are paid at cost. If a court or other authority needs an Arabic legal translation, that is a separate cost. We quote our own fee in writing first and list it apart from every government fee.

Source: MOFA: attestation FAQs

Related
Get started

Talk to us about death certificate attestation

Send your details and we'll reply with the documents you need and every fee involved.

Send your enquiry

Takes a minute. We reply with the next steps and every fee involved.

Attestation is performed by the issuing authorities, the relevant embassy and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We handle preparation, submission and collection. Last reviewed 31 October 2026 by the Global Sky PRO team.

Official sources

Get free consultation