Starting a business in a UAE free zone? Without attested Australian corporate documents, your licence approval may be delayed or rejected. Here’s what you need to know and how to prepare.
Why Attestation Matters for UAE Freezone Licensing
The UAE is not a signatory to The Hague Apostille Convention Abolishing the Requirement for Legalisation of Foreign Documents (Hague Apostille Convention). This means Australian documents cannot be Apostilled for use in the UAE.
Instead, they must be:
- Notarised by a Notary Public in Australia
- Authenticated by DFAT, which issues an authentication certificate
- Attested by the UAE Embassy in Canberra
- And finally legalised by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) within the UAE
For free zone authorities (such as DMCC, JAFZA, or RAKEZ), this completion of steps ensures operating legitimacy. Missing or improperly attested documents frequently lead to licensing delays or outright rejection.
What Documents Are Typically Required
Free zone license applications often demand these corporate documents:
- Certificate of Incorporation from ASIC
- Company’s constitution (formerly memorandum and articles of association)
- Board resolutions approving UAE entity establishment
- Power of Attorney (POA) for authorised representatives
- Director and shareholder passport copies
Each of these must undergo the full attestation process before submission.
Attestation Workflow: Step-by-Step
1. Notarisation
A Notary Public in Australia verifies the original documents and issues a Notarial Certificate. This step is essential for DFAT to recognise document legitimacy.
2. DFAT Authentication
DFAT reviews the notarised files and issues an authentication certificate, confirming the Notary’s stamp and signature. Since UAE is non Hague, this is not an Apostille but acts as DFAT’s verification.
3. Embassy Attestation in Canberra
Once DFAT certifies the documents, they must be submitted to the UAE Embassy in Canberra for attestation. This legalises the documents for UAE use.
4. MOFA Attestation in the UAE
Depending on the free zone and regulatory body, a final attestation by UAE MOFA may be required before authorities accept the documents.
Common Pitfalls That Delay Licensing
- Skipping Any Attestation Step: Even if DFAT has authenticated, lack of embassy or MOFA attestation voids license eligibility.
- Expecting Apostille Acceptance: UAE does not accept Apostille; only DFAT authentication followed by embassy and MOFA attestation is recognised.
- Submitting Unnotarised Copies: DFAT will reject unauthenticated documents.
- Improper Document Format: UAE authorities expect clean, unlaminated, official document versions; poor quality files risk failure.
- Ignoring Free Zone-Specific Rules: Some zones require Arabic translation for corporate documents if used in mainland dealings; others accept English versions initially.
Why This Process Exists
UAE free zones uphold strict legal frameworks, especially DIFC and others that operate under independent legal systems. They require full attestation as proof of authenticity, preventing fraud, ensuring governance transparency, and meeting regulatory scrutiny.
How Authentifier Helps You Attest Australian Documents for UAE Freezone
At Authentifier, we specialise in managing the entire attestation process for Australian businesses entering UAE free zones.
Our service includes:
- Document review and Notary Public verification in Australia
- Submission to DFAT for authentication certificate
- Liaison with the UAE Embassy in Canberra to secure official attestation
- Coordination with UAE MOFA if required for final legalisation
- Express processing (often completed within one week) and real time updates via online system
You avoid administrative hassles and ensure compliance from the outset.
For any business expanding into the UAE, choosing Authentifier to attest Australian documents for UAE Freezone is the reliable and compliant step forward.
