UK Certificate Attestation for Saudi Arabia
UK to Saudi Arabia attestation, including document attestation for Saudi Arabia from the UK, is a mandatory legalization process required for British-issued certificates to be accepted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Looking for reliable attestation services for Saudi Arabia from the UK? We specialize in the complete UK to Saudi attestation process including apostille from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Saudi Embassy attestation in London, and final MOFA attestation in Saudi Arabia.
UK Documents Attestation For KSA
On December 7, 2022, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia officially became a contracting party to the Convention of 5 October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents, commonly known as the Hague Apostille Convention. With Saudi Arabia’s accession to The Hague Apostille Convention, the process of legalizing documents for use in the Kingdom (and vice-versa) is now primarily through an Apostille.
An Apostille is a specialized certificate issued by a designated authority in a country that is a member of The Hague Convention. It authenticates the origin of a public document (e.g., a birth certificate, marriage certificate, degree, or commercial document) by verifying the authenticity of the signature, the capacity in which the person signing the document has acted, and, where appropriate, the identity of the seal or stamp which the document bears. This single certificate makes the document legally valid for use in any other Hague Convention member country, eliminating the need for further Embassy or Consulate legalization.
What is UK Certificate Attestation?
UK certificate attestation is the process of verifying the authenticity of UK-issued documents for official use in foreign countries. This legalization procedure ensures that your certificates—whether educational, non-educational, or commercial are recognized and accepted abroad for employment, higher education, migration, or business purposes.
The attestation confirms the legitimacy of your documents through a series of verifications by authorized bodies in the UK and the destination country, making your international goals achievable with confidence and legal clarity.
Important Update: While Saudi Arabia now accepts the Apostille, this has not eliminated the need for further stamps. For most educational, professional, and commercial documents, the Saudi Cultural Attaché and the Saudi Embassy in London still require their own attestations.
Why is Saudi Arabia Document Legalization (Apostille) Mandatory?
Saudi Arabia joining the Hague Apostille Convention as part of its Vision 2030 plan to open up to international talent and business. Saudi Document Legalization via Apostille is an absolute and mandatory prerequisite for numerous pivotal scenarios, safeguarding your journey and objectives in the Kingdom:
- Saudi Work Visa Document Legalization: Indispensable for securing employment visas, obtaining critical work permits, and acquiring residency (Iqama) for professionals and skilled workers relocating to Saudi Arabia. This inherently includes the crucial process of Saudi Degree Apostille for all educational qualifications.
- Family Visa & Dependent Sponsorship: Mandatory for sponsoring family members (spouses, children, parents) for dependent visas and establishing family residency in Saudi Arabia. This specifically necessitates Marriage Certificate Apostille for Saudi and Birth Certificate Apostille for Saudi.
- Business & Commercial Operations: Vital for the establishment of new businesses, the execution of legally binding contracts, the opening of corporate bank accounts, or the conduct of any commercial activity or investment within the Kingdom.
- Educational Pursuits: A mandatory requirement for students seeking admission to Saudi Arabian educational institutions, ensuring academic credentials are fully recognized.
- Legal & Official Matters: Necessary for any legal proceedings, property transactions (purchase, sale, transfer), or official registrations (e.g., vehicle registration, business licenses) within the Saudi Arabian legal framework.
Attestation Services
Fast, Secure UK Document Attestation for Saudi Arabia
We provide a fast and secure UK document attestation service for Saudi Arabia, fully compliant with the latest 2025 legalization requirements. Whether you’re in London, Manchester, Birmingham, or anywhere in the UK, our team manages the entire Saudi attestation process from start to finish with complete accuracy and compliance.
Your documents will be properly legalized and officially recognised in Saudi Arabia, meeting all the necessary standards for your employer, sponsor, or visa application. We handle educational, personal, and commercial documents efficiently, ensuring they meet KSA’s legalisation standards without delays or complications.
What's the Process for UK Document Attestation for Saudi Arabia?
Steps for UK Document Attestation for Saudi Arabia
The exact process depends on your document type, but almost all will follow this core five-stage process.-
Step 1: Solicitor or Notary Public Certification
This is the foundation of the process. A UK-registered solicitor or Notary Public must first verify your document is authentic. They check the original document and certify a copy (or the original itself), confirming its legitimacy with their signature and stamp. The FCDO will not issue an Apostille without a recognised solicitor or notary’s certification on most documents. -
Step 2: FCDO Apostille Legalisation
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) applies an Apostille certificate. It’s a globally recognised certificate that authenticates the solicitor’s signature, making the document valid for international use under the Hague Convention. This is now the primary legalisation step. For some personal documents, this may be the final step required. -
Step 3: Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau (SACB) Attestation
This is a mandatory step for all UK educational and professional qualifications. The SACB in London independently verifies your qualification with your university or awarding body, often via its Mosadaqa online portal. This is the most time-consuming part of the process. KSA authorities require this to validate your academic credentials for work visas and professional registration. -
Step 4: Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Attestation
This is the final seal of approval from the Saudi government in the UK for certain document types. The Consular section of the Saudi Embassy in London applies its stamp, confirming it recognises the FCDO Apostille and the SACB stamp. It is an absolute requirement for all educational, commercial, and often medical documents to be accepted in KSA. -
Step 5: Final MOFA Attestation (in Saudi Arabia)
A final stamp from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is required on the document once it is in Saudi Arabia. This is the final internal approval that makes the document fully valid for use with Saudi government bodies and employers for things like your Iqama (residency permit). This step is typically handled by your Saudi sponsor or employer.
UK Issued Degree / Diploma Attestation for KSA
UK Educational Document Attestation for a Saudi Work Visa
(Essential for Saudi Iqama, professional registration ( Like Engineering license , and employment contracts)
To legalise a UK degree for a Saudi work visa, you must complete the full process. This applies to Degrees, Diplomas, PGCEs, and professional certificates (ACCA, GMC, etc.).
Saudi Cultural Attaché (SACB) Verification
Via the Mosadaqa portal (requires a consent letter and employer request letter).
Solicitor Certification
Certification of the SACB-approved document by a UK-registered solicitor or notary public.
FCDO Apostille Stamp
Apostille issued by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office to validate the solicitor’s signature.
Saudi Embassy Attestation (London)
Final attestation in the UK, recognising the FCDO Apostille and SACB verification.
MOFA Attestation (KSA)
Stamped by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs upon arrival in Saudi Arabia.
Note: Ensure your name on your degree certificate exactly matches your passport to avoid rejection by the SACB.
Important: We manage the entire, lengthy SACB/Mosadaqa process for you, ensuring your application is submitted correctly to avoid rejections that would restart this long waiting period.
UK Issued Marriage / Birth Certificate Attestation for KSA
UK Personal Document Attestation for Family Visas & More
(Marriage Certificates, Birth Certificates, Police Clearance/ACRO, Medical Reports) When attesting a UK marriage certificate for a Saudi family visa or a birth certificate for a dependent, the process is usually simpler.-
FCDO Apostille
On the original certificate. (Solicitor certification is only needed if you are attesting a copy). -
Saudi Embassy Attestation
May be required by your sponsor. Always confirm this requirement! -
Police Checks
You must use the certificate from the ACRO Criminal Records Office, as this is the official version for Saudi visas and does not require prior solicitor certification. Other police checks (like DBS) will require an extra step. -
Medical Reports
Before legalisation, medical reports may need a preliminary stamp from the Saudi Arabian Medical Section in London.
Commercial Documents Attestation for Saudi Arabia
UK Commercial Document Attestation for Business in KSA
(Certificates of Incorporation, Invoices, Power of Attorney, Articles of Association) For UK companies doing business in Saudi Arabia, a specific commercial legalisation process is mandatory.-
Notary Public Certification
Documents must be certified by a UK-registered Notary Public confirming their authenticity. -
FCDO Apostille
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office applies the Apostille to validate the notary’s signature. -
Arab-British Chamber of Commerce (ABCC) Stamp
Required for trade-related documents to ensure compliance with Saudi commercial regulations. -
Saudi Embassy Attestation (London)
A mandatory final step in the UK, confirming the document is valid for use in Saudi Arabia. -
MOFA Attestation in KSA
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides the final validation inside the Kingdom.
Our Simple 3-Step Attestation Process
We have streamlined attestation process from UK to Saudi Arabia.-
Step 1: Send Us Your Documents
Contact us on WhatsApp or email. Send your documents, Our experts will confirm the exact requirements. -
Step 2: We Handle Everything
We manage all necessary steps: solicitor certification (if needed), FCDO Apostille, and any required verifications like the Saudi Cultural Bureau (Mosadaqa) or the Arab-British Chamber of Commerce. -
Step 3: Receive Your Attested Documents
Once successfully legalised, we send your official documents back to you anywhere in the world via secure courier.
Documents Exempt from Solicitor Certification
Certain documents are issued by UK public bodies whose officials’ signatures are already held on record by the FCDO. In these cases, the FCDO can verify the signature directly, and no prior solicitor certification is needed. This saves a step, time, and money. To qualify for this exemption, the original document must be submitted.
The primary documents exempt from solicitor certification are:
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Original UK Birth, Marriage, or Death Certificates
Issued by a registrar or the General Register Office (GRO). -
Original ACRO Police Clearance Certificates
Officially issued by the ACRO Criminal Records Office. -
Original Medical Reports
Signed by a doctor registered with the UK General Medical Council (GMC) and whose signature is on record with the FCDO. -
Original Court Documents
Must bear a wet ink court seal to qualify. -
Certificates of Incorporation
Issued directly by Companies House.
Important: Attempting to submit a copy of an exempt document, or an original of a non-exempt document without solicitor certification, will result in rejection by the FCDO.
Why Choose Us For UK Documents Attestation for Saudi Arabia?
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Up-to-Date Knowledge
We have daily interactions with the FCDO, SACB, ABCC, and the Saudi Embassy. We know their latest rules and prevent common errors. -
Transparent Process
We provide a clear breakdown of costs and timelines upfront. No hidden fees. -
Complete Management
We handle every courier run, application form, and submission. You send us the document; we handle the rest. -
Dedicated Support
You’ll have a single point of contact to answer your questions throughout the process. -
Fast-Track Service
Leveraging our registered business access to the FCDO and established relationships, we process documents significantly faster than standard postal applications. -
Expert Document Pre-Check
Our specialists review your documents before submission to guarantee they meet the precise requirements of the FCDO, Saudi Cultural Attaché (SACB), and other authorities, preventing common mistakes. -
All-Inclusive, Transparent Pricing
One clear quote covers all government fees, solicitor charges, and handling costs. No hidden fees, upfront quotes.