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How to attest a Certificate in Qatar | MOFA attestation

Planning to work, study, or migrate to Qatar? MOFA attestation is a must for authenticating your documents in Qatar. This is a complete guide explaining everything about Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation in Qatar, i.e., the entire process, documents needed, charges, and timeframes.

What is MOFA Attestation in Qatar?

MOFA attestation in Qatar is the last and compulsory step in the process of document legalization. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Qatar authenticates and certifies locally and internationally issued documents to ensure they are legally acceptable for official use in Qatar.

The attestation procedure ensures the authenticity of your certificates and makes them acceptable for use by government departments, schools, employers, and other official institutions in Qatar.

Why is MOFA Attestation Mandatory?

MOFA attestation is official confirmation of the authenticity of your document. Lacking MOFA attestation, your documents won’t be accepted by Qatari officials, and that can greatly affect your:

  • Residence Visa Applications: Needed for expats and family members coming to Qatar
  • Employment Processing: Employers require attested experience and educational certificates for work permits. If you’re seeking opportunities in Qatar, proper employment document attestation is essential to verify your professional qualifications and credentials.
  • Higher Education Admission: Universities and schools of higher education need attested academic records
  • Business Operations:  Commercial documents require attestation for legal transactions and company formation under Qatar’s business regulations. Entrepreneurs looking to establish businesses in Qatar must ensure all incorporation documents are properly attested.
  • Family Status Documentation: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other personal documents have to be attested for the processing of family visas. Whether you need to attest a birth certificate for your child or verify marriage documents for family sponsorship, MOFA attestation is mandatory.

The attestation process ensures only valid individuals with authentic credentials get a job, study, or stay in Qatar, avoiding document forgery and ensuring the integrity of Qatar’s employment and immigration systems.

Documents Required for MOFA Attestation in Qatar

In order to finish MOFA attestation successfully, you will need to supply:

Essential Documents:

  1. Original Certificate: Original document that needs to be attested (previously attested by Qatar Embassy in your home country)
  2. Passport Copy: Clear photocopy of all concerned pages including photo page and visa page
  3. Qatar ID Copy: In case of residence in Qatar, a copy of your valid Qatar ID card
  4. Contact Details: Email address and functional phone number for updates and communication

Additional Requirements (Where Applicable):

  1. Bonafide certificate from the issuing authority
  2. Authorization letter (if submitted by another person on your behalf)
  3. Copy of visa (for specific document types)

Important Note: All the documents should be pre-attested by the Qatar Embassy or Consulate in the home country prior to submission to MOFA Qatar.

MOFA Attestation Process: Step-by-Step

The MOFA attestation process has several verification levels within various authorities. Here is the step-by-step procedure:

Step 1: Notarization in Home Country

Start with obtaining your original document notarized by a public notary, government official, or state-approved lawyer in your home country. The notary public attestation authenticates the document and stamps their seal and signature, serving as the foundation of the attestation process.

Step 2: Home Country Department Attestation

Get your notarized document attested by the corresponding government department:

  • Educational Certificates: HRD department or Ministry of Education
  • Personal Documents: Home Department or concerned state government department
  • Commercial Documents: concerned ministry or Chamber of Commerce

Step 3: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Attestation (Home Country)

Following departmental verification, your document has to be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs or Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your home country. This authenticates the earlier attestations and makes the document ready for overseas utilization.

Step 4: Attestation of Qatar Embassy

Present your MEA-attested document to the Qatar Embassy or Consulate in your home country. The embassy validates all the past attestations and stamps the document, ensuring its authenticity for use in Qatar. Documents needed are usually:

  • MEA attested certificate
  • Passport copy
  • Visa copy
  • Application form
  • Embassy fees

Step 5: MOFA Attestation in Qatar (Final Step)

After reaching Qatar with your embassy-attested documents, the last step is MOFA attestation:

Offline Process:

  1. Go to the MOFA Consular Services Office or approved service center
  2. Present original embassy-stamped document with supporting documents
  3. Pay attestation fee (QAR 100 for educational/personal documents, different for commercial documents)
  4. MOFA checks embassy attestation and prior stamps
  5. After successful checking, MOFA stamps their official seal
  6. Get SMS notification when attestation is done
  7. Pick up attested document from service center

Online MOFA Attestation Service:

Qatar also offers convenient online attestation through the MOFA portal:

  1. Visit the official MOFA website (https://mofa.gov.qa/)
  2. Log in using the National Authentication System (NAS)
  3. Select document type and upload scanned copies
  4. Submit application with required details
  5. Pay attestation fees online after approval (typically within 1 working day)
  6. Schedule document pickup and delivery through Qatar Post
  7. Receive attested documents at your preferred address

Types of Documents for MOFA Attestation

Educational Documents:

  • Degree certificates (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD)
  • Diplomas and diploma certificates
  • School leaving certificates and transcripts
  • Professional qualification certificates
  • Training certificates and course completion certificates

Understanding the procedures of certificate attestation in Qatar is particularly important for educational documents, as employers often require your bachelor’s degree to be attested first, even if you hold higher qualifications.

Personal Documents:

  • Birth certificates
  • Marriage certificates
  • Divorce certificates and decrees
  • Death certificates
  • Police clearance certificates (PCC)
  • Medical fitness certificates
  • Adoption certificates

Commercial Documents:

  • Certificate of Origin
  • Commercial invoices and bills
  • Power of Attorney (POA)
  • Company incorporation certificates
  • Memorandum and Articles of Association
  • Board resolutions
  • Agency agreements and business contracts
  • Export-import documents

Tips for Smooth Attestation

  • Finish all home country attestations prior to departure to Qatar
  • Present documents in pristine condition without damage
  • Ensure all information is consistent across documents
  • Maintain photocopies of all attestations for records
  • Avoid public holprofessional attestation services for complicated cases
  • Ensure precise contact information for timely follow-ups

Professional Attestation Services

MOFA attestation is a crucial step for validating your documents for employment, education, or family purposes in Qatar. Ensure all prior attestations are completed and stay updated with official MOFA Qatar guidelines for a smooth process.

Ayam Group has been providing comprehensive attestation services in Qatar for over a decade, helping thousands of clients successfully complete their document authentication. Beyond attestation, we also offer ISO certification consultancy, trademark registration, and complete business setup solutions.

Need Assistance?
 Let our experts handle your MOFA attestation in Qatar quickly and accurately.

Contact Ayam Group today for hassle-free document attestation services.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How long does MOFA attestation take in Qatar?                                                                             Standard MOFA attestation typically takes 3-4 working days. Online applications may receive initial approval within 1 working day, with the complete process finishing within a week.

Q2: Can I get MOFA attestation without Qatar Embassy stamp?                                                                No, MOFA attestation in Qatar requires prior attestation from the Qatar Embassy or Consulate in your document’s country of origin. This is a mandatory prerequisite step.

Q3: What is the cost of MOFA attestation in Qatar?                                                                                       Educational and personal documents cost QAR 100 per document. Commercial documents range from QAR 150 to several thousand depending on the type and value.

Q4: Where can I get MOFA attestation in Qatar?                                                                                MOFA attestation is available at the main MOFA office in West Bay, Doha, and at service centers in Al Wakra, Al Hilal, Al Rayyan, Lusail, and The Pearl.

Q5: Is MOFA attestation mandatory for work visa in Qatar?                                                                  Yes, MOFA attestation is mandatory for processing work permits and residence visas in Qatar. Employers require attested educational and experience certificates.