How does it work?

Attesting a BVI document can be complicated, especially as the process is different depending upon the type of document you have, and who you need to present it to. As the BVI is a British Overseas Territory, documents have to be processed physically in both the BVI and the UK. To make things easier for you, we’ve outlined below the process that each document needs to go through, but bear in mind that the process for certain documents can vary from this. To be certain that we can provide you with fully accurate information, get in touch for your free personalised quotation.

 

Initial Certification

Notary Certification

For most documents, the first step is to have your document certified by a Notary Public in the BVI. During this stage, the notary will add a notarial cover sheet to the original document and confirm that the signature on the document is genuine.

 

Apostille Legalisation in BVI

BVI Apostille Legalisation

The final step in the BVI is to have an Apostille added to the document. This is carried out by one of four authorised offices in Tortola: The Deputy Governor’s Office, Civil Registry and Passport Office, High Court Registry or the International Affairs Secretariat. Once this has been completed, your document must then be flown to the UK to carry out the remaining steps.

 

Apostille Legalisation in UK

UK Apostille Legalisation

Before BVI documents can be presented to the UAE Embassy in London, they need to have an Apostille certificate attached and sealed by the UK authorities. This is a white A5 piece of paper that confirms the legitimacy of the seal or signature used to certify the BVI Apostille. In the UK this can only be applied by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

 

UAE Embassy in London

UAE Embassy Attestation

The final step in the UK is to have the document stamped, known as attested, by the UAE Embassy in London. During this stage an official UAE-government sticker and seal is applied to the document. This confirms to the authorities in the UAE that the document has completed all the required steps in both the UK and the BVI.

 

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UAE)

MoFA Attestation (UAE)

Once the document has reached the UAE, it requires a further attestation stamp by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE which validates that your document has been processed correctly in both the BVI and the UK. Some employers make arrangements to handle this for you, so you should check whether this needs completing by you or not. If you prefer to complete this process yourself, we can arrange for the required PCR test to be carried out before you attend. If your document does not require translation (see the next section), then once this stamp has been applied you can then use the document in the UAE.

 

Translation

Translation from English into Arabic

In certain circumstances, your document may also require translation into Arabic. Again, your employer may handle this for you so best to check. If required, the whole document and its relevant stamps are translated from English into Arabic by a recognised certified translator. Once the translation has been done, then everything has been completed to make it fully useable within the UAE.

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Attestation Notes

• Arabic translation is usually required for use in all emirates other than Dubai, and also if the document is to be used within one of the Dubai Free Zone authorities including (but not limited to) the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC).