Before you can use your documents in Qatar for any official purpose, they need to go through a process called attestation...
It's like getting a passport for your documents, and ensures they'll be accepted by the relevant authorities. Luckily, you've landed in the right place. We've been attesting documents since 2006, so there's nobody better at guiding you through the complexities and making sure your documents are ready when you need them to be.
Attesting a document for Qatar can be a difficult process - no two documents are the same, and the Qatar Embassy has different procedures in place for different documents. We've outlined the basic process below that should apply to most documents, but for a more accurate reflection, it's best to request a quote.
Prefer to watch a video?
Let our CEO, Matt, take you through the process of attesting a document for Qatar.
For most documents, the first step is to have your document certified by a solicitor. To keep your document in its original state, our solicitor will usually take a copy of your document, certify it as a true copy of the original document, and the attestation will take place on that. If you prefer, you can have the original processed instead.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Apostille Attestation
Before documents can be presented to the Qatar Embassy in London, they need to have an Apostille certificate attached and sealed. This is a white A5 piece of paper that confirms the legitimacy of the seal or signature used to certify the document being processed. In the UK this can only be applied by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Qatar Embassy in London
Qatar Embassy Attestation
The final step in the UK is to have the document stamped, known as legalised, by the Qatar Embassy in London. During this stage an official Qatar government sticker and seal is applied to the document. This confirms to the authorities in the Qatar that the document has completed all the required steps in the UK.
MoFA Attestation Qatar
MoFA Legalisation (Qatar)
Once the document has reached Qatar, it requires a further attestation stamp by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in Qatar which validates that your document has been processed correctly in the UK. Some employers make arrangements to handle this for you, so you should check whether this needs completing by you or not. 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 Qatar.
Attestation Notes
Birth, marriage or death certificates, and some other documents such as an ACRO certificate do not require the initial certification process as they MUST be processed on the original document.
You may be advised that these documents have to be notarised by a Notary Public rather than a solicitor. This information is incorrect. We choose to use a solicitor for client documents as this is cheaper for you. If you prefer a notary to carry this out then we can arrange this for an additional fee. Whichever solicitor or notary is used, they must be registered with the FCDO otherwise there will be a delay processing the Apostille. Our solicitors and notaries are all correctly registered for your convenience.
The UK legalisation office name changed from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in 2020. It was previously also known simply as the Foreign Office.
If a Qatari national is married to a non-Qatari and the marriage was registered outside of Qatar, a permission slip is required before the marriage certificate can be attested for use in Qatar. This is supplied by the Qatari authorities and should have been obtained before the marriage.
Attesting an Education Document?
The Qatar Embassy is very specific about how they want education documents presented for attestation. Download our guide to help you prepare your documents so you can avoid any costly delays.
Attesting documents for use in Qatar is principally the same as for any other country. However, in 2016 there were additional requirements introduced to attest degree certificates, and even now we still get supporting documents from universities that do not contain all the required specific information as it can be difficult navigating the potentially unclear guidelines to ensure we meet their specific requirements.
In this first part in our Legalisation Fixers series, we are looking at the most common issue we receive queries about. As Qatar require supporting documentation to attest education certificates, this can cause confusion and delays. Here is a recent case study of an order we processed, where the customer had attempted to process the documentation themselves only to have it rejected.
When deciding on a degree course to study, your main focus is choosing a quality provider and ensuring that the structure of study will fit in with your life. With so many adults deciding to re-train or boost their expertise around current jobs or family commitments, distance learning qualifications are becoming more and more popular. But what are the pitfalls you may face further down the line?
You might need to attest different documents depending on your circumstances - whether you're just moving to the country to work, bringing a family member, or starting a business. We've got you covered in all circumstances.
How much does it cost to attest a document for Qatar?
We offer various speeds of service to suit your needs. Whether you're on a budget or need your documents attested in record time, we've got you covered. Stated timescales are from receiving your documents.
Standard 25 Working Days
From £189
Per Document
This service includes:
Initial Certification
Apostille Attestation
Qatar Embassy Attestation
Completed in 25 Working Days
Express 20 Working Days
From £219
Per Document
This service includes:
Initial Certification
Apostille Attestation
Qatar Embassy Attestation
Completed in 20 Working Days
Urgent 15 Working Days
From £308
Per Document
This service includes:
Initial Certification
Apostille Attestation
Qatar Embassy Attestation
Completed in 15 Working Days
Disclaimer
MoFA Attestation and Translation of documents are not included in the above pricing, and will incur an extra fee if required. For the most accurate quotation for your circumstances, please get in touch.
We guarantee your document will be valid in the country for which it was attested.
Document Checking
Your documents will be checked prior to submission to ensure they are accepted.
Service Updates
Regular service updates mean you always know where your documents are.
Industry Leading Staff
Our advisers undertake regular training so the advice they give is always up-to-date.
Scanning Service
Get a digital copy of your completed documents prior to receiving shipment.
Fully Inclusive Price
Fees always include all charges, shipping and VAT (where applicable).
Our Team's the best around...
Our expert attestation team strives to deliver a professional service with a personal touch. With a combined 80 years of experience, and an attestation network that stretches across the globe, you can be sure we have the knowledge and the know-how to solve your attestation worries.
One of our friendly attestation advisors will get back to you as soon as possible to talk about your attestation requirements.
One of our expert team will evaluate your requirements and get back to you with a specially tailored quote, within one working hour.
The global embassy network doesn't handle attestation for all countries, so your document will have to be sent to the Qatar Embassy in the country where the document was issued. Do you have the time to fly across the world, going from government building to embassy to attest your documents?
There's an easier way. Send your documents to us and we'll handle the attestation in a timeframe to suit you. Then we'll ship it back to you, wherever you are in the world. Simple.
Your Documents
We handle documents from over 150 countries. Request a quote and let us know which documents you have, and where they were issued. Example countries include: US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Russia, France, Germany and Italy.
We will always require original documents to be sent to us for processing. Some document types, such as education documents, will have a solicitor certified copy taken and used for the attestation process, keeping your original clean. Government-issued documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, are processed on the original.
Yes, although most documents hare processed on a certified copy, you will receive your original documents back. As standard, we ship all originals together with the attested copies to your chosen destination. If you want your originals returned to a different address, that’s not a problem. Just let us know when placing your order.
For Qatar, certain award levels will require supporting documents in order to be processed. As a rule of thumb, this is anything of diploma level or above. There are however some exceptions to the rule.
If you need to provide additional documentation, this will include a verification letter from the awarding institution and where available, a transcript of results. If there is no transcript available from the college or university, the verification will need to state this explicitly, and give a valid reason why. Once you place an order with us, we can provide a template letter for you to send to your college or university to request this letter and check it for you once it has been issued.
This is the most common problem our customers face when it comes to document attestation for Qatar. The good news is, we handle these document types day in, day out, so we know exactly what needs to be included in a letter in order for it to be accepted by the Qatar Embassy.
It’s well known that their guidelines are strict, and it’s extremely important to have your letter checked before you even start your attestation, to avoid having to re-process the letter at the FCDO, causing delays and further costs.
All you need to do is email us a scan of your letter, and we’ll work with you to perfect it before you even get your documents on their way to us, so you can be 100% confident they’ll sail through!
Qatar won’t accept any qualification which was studied via a distance learning mode, including online or distance learning within the UK or any course studied overseas. For example, if you studied a degree with a UK-based university, but did so via distance learning whilst you were resident in a different country, Qatar will not attest your qualification.
We offer MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) attestation as an additional service alongside your attestation if you need it. If this service is part of your requirements, let us know and we'll build it into the quote we send you.
Every order we complete is backed by our 100% Acceptance Guarantee, which promises to provide you with a full refund and free re-processing of your documents should they be rejected when you present them in your destination country.
Placing an Order
There are so many variations within the attestation process, we need to ensure that your documents are handled correctly based on your circumstances, and make sure you only pay for what you need. Once you’re happy with your quotation, we can proceed to finalise your order via email, phone or chat.
Once you’re happy with your quotation, we will send you a PayLink via email so you can complete your order online.
We have the widest choice of payment types in the market. You can either pay via credit or debit card online with our easy PayLink system, over the phone with a card, PayPal, Bank Transfer or spread the cost with Pay in 3 by Klarna. You must be 18+ and a UK resident to be eligible for this credit offer. T&Cs apply, credit subject to status.
Once your order has been placed, you will receive an email with the address to send your documents to. Which address you use will depend on the speed of service you have opted for, which will be detailed in the confirmation email. We always recommend you use a tracked postal service when sending original documents. Please ensure you include your order reference number with the order.
Yes, of course! We use secure courier shipments to deliver anywhere in the world, so wherever you are, we can get your documents back to you safely and quickly.
All orders are backed by our 100% Acceptance Guarantee.
Fill in the form and one of our specially trained advisors will get in touch as soon as possible, within normal working hours (Monday to Friday, 09:00 - 17:00).
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