• Sep 17, 2026

When preparing educational documents for employment, professional licensing, higher education, immigration or other official purposes in Dubai and the UAE, many applicants focus on getting their degree certificate attested. However, they often overlook another important academic document: the university transcript.

This leads to a very common question:

Are a degree certificate and an academic transcript considered one document for UAE MOFA attestation?

The answer is no.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) specifically states that educational certificates and transcripts are treated as two different documents for attestation purposes. Therefore, having your bachelor’s, master’s or PhD certificate attested does not automatically mean that your academic transcript is also attested.

If an employer, university, licensing authority or another organization asks for both documents, you should check whether separate transcript attestation is required.

This guide from Quickpro explains what transcript attestation means, how it differs from degree certificate attestation, the general UAE attestation process, and what you should check before submitting your educational documents.

What Is an Academic Transcript?

An academic transcript is an official educational record issued by a university, college or other academic institution.

While your degree certificate normally confirms that you successfully completed a particular qualification, your transcript provides a more detailed record of your studies.

Depending on the educational institution, a transcript can include:

• Student’s full name
• University or college name
• Programme or course studied
• Subjects or modules completed
• Grades or marks
• Credits earned
• Academic year or semester information
• Overall GPA or classification
• Dates of attendance
• Date of graduation
• Other academic information

For example, your Master of Business Administration certificate confirms that you received an MBA. Your transcript, however, can provide a breakdown of the subjects, credits and grades associated with that programme.

This difference is important when documents are being evaluated by employers, universities or professional authorities.

What Is Transcript Attestation?

Transcript attestation is the authentication of an academic transcript through the relevant authorities so that it can be presented for an applicable official purpose.

For a foreign-issued transcript intended for use in the UAE, the document may need to complete the appropriate authentication procedures in its country of origin before completing the relevant UAE attestation stages.

The general route can involve:

Academic Transcript → Country-of-Origin Authentication → UAE Embassy/Consulate Attestation → UAE MOFA Attestation

However, the exact procedure varies depending on:

• Country where the transcript was issued
• University or institution
• Format of the transcript
• Authentication system in the issuing country
• UAE authority requesting the document
• Intended purpose

Some countries may also require university verification, notarisation, apostille or other government authentication before UAE processing.

Are a Degree Certificate and Transcript One Document?

No. A degree certificate and an academic transcript are separate educational documents.

This is not simply an interpretation used by document-attestation companies.

UAE MOFA’s official FAQ specifically states that for educational documents, “certificate & transcripts are treated as two different documents.”

This distinction is important when planning your attestation.

For example, imagine your employer asks you to provide:

• Master’s Degree Certificate
• Master’s Academic Transcript

Even though both documents relate to the same qualification and were issued by the same university, they should not automatically be treated as one document for attestation.

If the receiving authority requires both to be attested, each should be assessed separately.

Degree Certificate vs Academic Transcript

Although they are connected to the same academic qualification, a degree certificate and transcript serve different purposes.

Degree Certificate

A degree certificate confirms that a qualification has been awarded.

It commonly shows:

• Graduate’s name
• Qualification awarded
• University
• Award or graduation date
• Authorized signatures or seals

For example:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

The certificate demonstrates that the university awarded that degree to the named graduate.

Academic Transcript

An academic transcript provides a more detailed academic history.

It can show:

• Modules or subjects
• Marks
• Grades
• Credits
• Semesters
• GPA
• Academic performance
• Programme details

The transcript therefore provides information that may not appear on the degree certificate itself.

Why Might I Need Transcript Attestation in the UAE?

Whether you need transcript attestation depends on the organization requesting your educational records.

An attested transcript may potentially be requested for:

• Higher education applications
• University admissions
• Professional licensing
• Academic equivalency or recognition procedures
• Employment documentation
• Government-related procedures
• Verification of educational history
• Transfer of academic credits
• Postgraduate applications
• Professional registration
• Other official purposes

You should not automatically attest your transcript just because you are attesting your degree.

First ask the organization requesting your qualification whether it needs:

Degree only

or

Degree + Transcript

This can help avoid unnecessary processing and expense.

Does MOFA Attest Academic Transcripts?

Yes.

UAE MOFA specifically lists educational transcripts among the personal-status documents covered by its document-attestation services. Educational certificates and diplomas are also included.

However, the transcript must meet the applicable authentication requirements before it reaches the MOFA stage.

For foreign-issued educational documents, MOFA states that the original document must first be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the issuing country and can then be attested by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in that country.

Country-specific requirements can differ, so the document should be assessed before processing.

Academic Transcript Attestation Process for UAE

For a transcript issued outside the UAE, a general attestation journey can involve the following stages.

Step 1: Confirm Whether Transcript Attestation Is Required

Before sending your transcript anywhere, confirm the requirements with the final receiving organization.

Ask:

• Do you need my degree certificate?
• Do you also need my transcript?
• Does the transcript need separate attestation?
• Do you need an original transcript?
• Is a sealed transcript required?
• Do you need a recent transcript?
• Does it need translation?
• Are there additional academic verification requirements?

This is one of the most important steps.

Do not pay to attest several academic records when the receiving authority only requires one.

Step 2: Check the Transcript Format

Universities issue transcripts in different formats.

You may have:

• Original paper transcript
• Transcript in a sealed university envelope
• Digitally issued transcript
• Electronic transcript with verification
• Certified copy
• Student portal printout
• Transcript sent directly by the university

These formats should not automatically be considered equivalent.

If an authority asks for an official transcript, a screenshot from a student portal or ordinary photocopy may not satisfy its requirements.

Confirm the required format before starting authentication.

Step 3: Country-of-Origin Authentication

A transcript issued outside the UAE generally needs to complete the applicable authentication procedures in the country where it originated.

The process varies from country to country.

Depending on the jurisdiction and document, this may involve:

• University verification
• Educational authority authentication
• Notary certification
• Government authentication
• Apostille
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication
• Other competent authorities

This is why a transcript issued in the UK may follow a different process from one issued in Canada, India, the USA, Australia, Italy or another country.

The country where the university issued the document is particularly important.

Step 4: UAE Embassy or Consulate Attestation

Once the necessary country-of-origin authentication is complete, the transcript can proceed through the applicable UAE Embassy or Consulate procedure.

MOFA’s current guidance for documents issued outside the UAE states that the original document must first be authenticated in the issuing country and can then be attested through the UAE Embassy or Consulate there.

The exact procedure can vary between UAE diplomatic missions.

Applicants should therefore check the requirements of the UAE mission responsible for the country where the educational document originated.

Step 5: UAE MOFA Transcript Attestation

Once the applicable preceding authentication stages have been completed, the transcript can proceed to UAE MOFA attestation.

MOFA describes document attestation as certifying the authenticity of the signatures and seals appearing on documents issued inside or outside the UAE.

The Ministry’s current system automatically determines the applicable processing route based on factors including the issuing authority and document type.

Do My Degree and Transcript Need Separate MOFA Attestation?

If the receiving authority requires both documents to be attested, you should treat them separately.

This is one of the most important points for anyone arranging educational certificate attestation in the UAE.

For example:

Document 1: Bachelor Degree Certificate
Document 2: Bachelor Degree Academic Transcript

These are two different documents.

Likewise:

Document 1: Master’s Degree Certificate
Document 2: Master’s Academic Transcript

Again, they are separate documents.

UAE MOFA explicitly confirms this distinction in its current FAQ.

Therefore, do not assume that an attestation attached to your degree certificate automatically authenticates the academic transcript associated with that degree.

Transcript Attestation for Different Countries

Quickpro can assist with reviewing transcript-attestation requirements for academic records issued in many countries.

UK Transcript Attestation

UK university transcripts may require UK authentication before completing the applicable UAE attestation procedure.

The exact route depends on the document format, institution and current UK authentication requirements.

If you are processing both a UK degree and transcript, check each document separately before starting.

Canadian Transcript Attestation

Canada’s authentication system involves both federal and provincial competent authorities.

The correct route can depend on where the academic document was issued or notarised.

Canadian universities may also have their own procedures for providing official or sealed transcripts, so the format requested by the final UAE authority should be confirmed.

Indian Transcript Attestation

Indian university transcripts may require country-of-origin verification and authentication before proceeding through applicable UAE diplomatic and MOFA stages.

Requirements can vary according to the university, state, educational authority and intended UAE use.

USA Transcript Attestation

American transcripts can require authentication based on where the academic document originated.

The United States has state and federal authentication procedures depending on the document and destination requirements, so the transcript should be assessed before processing.

Australian Transcript Attestation

Australian university transcripts can require authentication before completing the applicable UAE process.

Check whether the final authority requires the transcript itself, degree certificate, or both.

European University Transcripts

Quickpro can also assist with academic documents issued in countries including:

• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Spain
• Ireland
• Netherlands
• Belgium
• Portugal
• Poland
• Hungary
• Romania
• Greece
• Austria
• Switzerland
• Sweden
• Denmark
• Finland
• Other European countries

The authentication route should always be determined by the country where the educational document was issued.

Is a Sealed University Transcript the Same as an Attested Transcript?

No.

A sealed transcript and an attested transcript describe different things.

A sealed transcript is generally an official academic record provided in an envelope sealed by the educational institution. This can help demonstrate that the transcript came directly from or has not been altered since being issued by the university.

Attestation, on the other hand, involves authentication through the applicable government and diplomatic authorities.

A university seal therefore should not automatically be confused with government attestation.

Depending on the purpose, an organization may request:

• Sealed transcript only
• Attested transcript
• Degree + transcript
• Attested degree + sealed transcript
• Attested degree + separately attested transcript

Always follow the requirements of the receiving authority.

Can I Attest a Photocopy of My Transcript?

Do not assume that a normal photocopy is sufficient.

MOFA’s current courier-based requirements specify an original document in Arabic or English, or one accompanied by a legally certified translation, with prior competent-authority certification where applicable.

Some academic records can have special formats, including electronically verifiable documents, so the specific document should be reviewed before submission.

A plain photocopy, screenshot or student-portal printout should not automatically be treated as equivalent to an official transcript.

Can a Laminated Transcript Be Attested?

MOFA states that documents submitted through its applicable courier-based attestation process must not be laminated. Its FAQ also warns that laminated documents can be rejected.

If your transcript or certificate is laminated, do not attempt to remove the lamination yourself if this risks damaging the document.

Check whether your university can issue a replacement or another acceptable official copy.

Does a Transcript Need Arabic Translation?

Not necessarily.

MOFA’s current courier-based requirements permit an original document in Arabic or English, or a document accompanied by a legally certified translation.

Therefore, an English-language academic transcript does not automatically require Arabic translation simply for the standard MOFA attestation requirement.

However, the organization ultimately receiving your transcript may have separate language requirements.

A transcript issued in French, German, Italian, Spanish, Russian, Ukrainian, Chinese or another language may also require an appropriate certified/legal translation depending on the process.

Translation requirements should therefore be checked separately from attestation requirements.

How Long Does Transcript Attestation Take?

The total processing time depends on:

• Country of issue
• University
• Transcript format
• University verification
• Country-of-origin authentication
• Embassy/Consulate processing
• MOFA processing
• Courier arrangements
• Translation

For the applicable MOFA courier attestation stage, the Ministry currently lists a service completion period of 1–3 business days, depending on the selected approved courier provider.

This should not be confused with the complete international transcript-attestation turnaround.

If university verification and overseas authentication are required, the overall process will take longer.

How Much Does Transcript Attestation Cost?

There is no single total price that applies to every academic transcript.

The complete cost can depend on:

• Country of issue
• University verification
• Authentication fees
• Embassy/Consulate processing
• MOFA attestation
• Courier
• Translation
• Number of academic documents

The fact that a degree and transcript are separate documents is especially important when estimating costs.

If you need:

1 Degree + 1 Transcript

you should not automatically calculate the process as though you have only one educational document.

MOFA’s current fee structure calculates applicable charges according to factors including the number and category of documents.

Common Mistakes with Transcript Attestation

Applicants often experience delays because they:

• Attest the degree but forget the transcript
• Assume degree and transcript are one document
• Submit a student portal printout instead of an official transcript
• Open a sealed transcript when the receiving authority requires it sealed
• Use the wrong country authentication procedure
• Skip required university verification
• Submit a laminated document
• Miss required embassy authentication
• Forget translation requirements
• Attest a transcript that the employer never requested

The easiest way to avoid these issues is to confirm the exact educational document checklist before beginning attestation.

Do I Need Transcript Attestation for Employment in Dubai?

It depends on the employer, profession and relevant authority.

Some employers may only request an attested degree certificate.

Others may request:

Degree + Academic Transcript

Certain regulated professions, licensing procedures, academic recognition processes or higher-education applications can require more detailed academic records.

Do not assume that because a colleague needed a transcript, you will need one too—or vice versa.

Ask the organization processing your application.

Do I Need Transcript Attestation If My Degree Is Already Attested?

Possibly.

Having an attested degree does not automatically attest the transcript.

If the authority subsequently requests an attested academic transcript, the transcript may need to complete its own applicable authentication process.

This is why it can be helpful to confirm all requirements before starting your degree attestation.

Why Choose Quickpro for Transcript Attestation in Dubai?

Educational document attestation can become complicated when several academic records are involved.

Quickpro can assist with:

• Academic transcript attestation
• Degree certificate attestation
• Bachelor’s transcript attestation
• Master’s transcript attestation
• PhD transcript attestation
• Diploma attestation
• Educational certificate legalization
• Country-of-origin authentication
• UAE Embassy/Consulate attestation
• UAE MOFA attestation
• Legal and certified translation
• Courier coordination

Quickpro can review your educational documents first to determine whether you have a degree, transcript, diploma or multiple separate documents requiring processing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Transcript Attestation

Are a degree certificate and transcript one document?

No. UAE MOFA explicitly states that educational certificates and transcripts are treated as two different documents for attestation purposes.

If my degree is attested, is my transcript automatically attested?

No. An attested degree certificate does not automatically mean the associated academic transcript has been attested.

Does UAE MOFA attest transcripts?

Yes. Educational transcripts are specifically included among the personal-status documents that MOFA can attest.

Do I always need to attest both my degree and transcript?

No. It depends on the requirements of the employer, university, licensing body or government authority receiving your documents.

Is a sealed transcript considered attested?

No. A university-sealed transcript and a government-attested transcript are not the same thing. The final receiving organization may require one or both.

Can I submit an online transcript?

Do not assume that a downloaded PDF or student-portal printout will be accepted. Check whether your document qualifies as an official or verifiable digital document and whether the receiving authority accepts it.

Can I attest my transcript in Dubai?

Yes, eligible educational transcripts can complete the applicable UAE attestation process once the necessary preceding authentication requirements have been met.

Get Your Academic Transcript Attested with Quickpro

If you need transcript attestation in Dubai or anywhere in the UAE, first confirm whether the organization requesting your educational records needs:

Degree Certificate Only

Academic Transcript Only

or

Degree Certificate + Academic Transcript

Remember: your degree certificate and transcript are two separate documents for UAE MOFA attestation purposes.

Send Quickpro:

1. A clear copy of your degree certificate
2. A copy of your academic transcript
3. Country where the qualification was issued
4. University or institution name
5. Existing authentication stamps, if any
6. Intended use in the UAE

Quickpro can help identify the appropriate country-of-origin authentication, UAE Embassy/Consulate attestation, MOFA attestation and translation requirements for your academic records.

Quickpro – professional assistance for transcript attestation, degree certificate legalization and educational document attestation in Dubai and across the UAE.