Commercial Document Apostille
Commercial Document Apostille
Expanding your UK business into the UAE — whether setting up a branch, forming a joint venture, or registering with a UAE free zone — requires your corporate documents to be apostilled by the FCDO. UAE authorities including the Department of Economic Development (DED), free zone authorities (DMCC, JAFZA, ADGM, DIFC), and the UAE Ministry of Economy all require authenticated UK commercial documents before they will process a business registration or licensing application.
Common documents that require FCDO apostille include certificates of incorporation, memoranda and articles of association, board resolutions, powers of attorney, certificates of good standing, audited financial statements, and director appointment letters. Each document type has specific FCDO requirements regarding format, notarisation, and solicitor certification that must be met before the apostille can be issued.
Green Apple Attest specialises in processing bulk commercial document apostilles for UK companies entering the UAE market. We work with your company secretary, solicitors, or directly with you to ensure every document is properly prepared, certified where necessary, and submitted to the FCDO in the correct format. Our UK-based partners handle the physical submission while our Dubai team keeps you informed at every stage.
For time-sensitive business registrations, we offer express same-day FCDO processing and priority courier delivery to ensure your commercial setup in the UAE stays on schedule.
Documents Required
- Original or solicitor-certified copies of the commercial documents requiring apostille
- Certificate of incorporation issued by Companies House
- Memorandum and articles of association (if required)
- Board resolution authorising the UAE business activity
- Power of attorney (notarised by a UK solicitor)
- Clear scans of all documents for pre-assessment
- Completed Green Apple Attest service request form
Special Requirements
- • Powers of attorney and statutory declarations must be notarised by a practising UK solicitor or notary public before FCDO apostille.
- • Documents issued by Companies House must be originals or officially certified copies — office photocopies are not accepted.
How It Works
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1Submit scans of all commercial documents for our free eligibility assessment.
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2We identify which documents need solicitor certification or notarisation before apostille and provide a comprehensive quote.
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3Send originals or certified copies to our UK partner address.
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4We arrange any required solicitor certification and submit documents to the FCDO.
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5Apostilled documents are dispatched to your UAE address or directly to your free zone authority.
Insider Tips
Insider Tips
- Confirm the exact list of required documents with your UAE free zone or DED advisor before starting the apostille process. Requirements vary between jurisdictions.
- Powers of attorney should be drafted to meet both UK legal standards and the specific requirements of the UAE authority where they will be used.
- If your company has recently changed its name or registered address, ensure Companies House records are updated before requesting apostille on current documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not all. Original documents issued directly by Companies House (such as the certificate of incorporation) can often be apostilled without additional certification. However, copies of documents, board resolutions, and powers of attorney typically require solicitor certification or notarisation first. We assess each document individually.
Yes, and we recommend it. Processing documents in bulk reduces overall courier costs and ensures all documents are ready simultaneously for your UAE business registration.
Standard processing is 5 to 8 working days. Express same-day FCDO processing is available. For bulk submissions of 5 or more documents, allow an additional 1 to 2 working days.
Some free zones and government authorities require UAE MOFA attestation after the FCDO apostille. DIFC and ADGM, as common-law jurisdictions, may have different requirements. We advise based on your specific registration authority.
Quick Facts
- Processing Time
- 10-15 business days
- Pricing From
- AED 400
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Delivery
- Free across the UAE
Questions About This Service?
Our specialists know United Kingdom requirements inside out — call or message for free guidance.
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Not Sure What Your Documents Need? We Are.
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