Document Legalization Cost & Time Calculator
Calculate the exact cost, steps, and time to legalize any document for any country. Apostille vs consular legalization vs super-legalization — all fees, couriers, and hidden costs included.
- Translation
- $35 (Arabic)
- Courier (between steps)
- $35
- Document category
- personal
- Quantity
- 1
- 1. Apostille~3d$14Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Issued by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Hague member since 2005.
- 2. Embassy Legalization~4d$80United Arab Emirates Embassy in India. United Arab Emirates embassy/consulate verifies prior authentication.
- 3. MOFA Attestation (destination)~1d$41United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Same-day MOFA possible if arrive before 11 AM.
- 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates: Same-day MOFA possible if arrive before 11 AM.
- Name mismatches: Must match exactly across passport, document, and application.
- Laminated documents: Most authorities can't verify seals on laminated originals.
- Expired documents: PCC and medical certificates expire (3–6 months).
- Skipping steps: Order is enforced — apostille before embassy, embassy before MOFA.
- Wrong translation timing: Translate AFTER full legalization so stamps are included.
How do I legalize a birth certificate for a UAE visa?
UAE is not a Hague member, so you need consular legalization. From India (Hague): MEA apostille → UAE embassy legalization → UAE MOFA attestation. Total ~$140–$290 DIY, 1–3 weeks. From Pakistan (non-Hague): notarization → MoFA Pakistan → UAE embassy → UAE MOFA, ~$155–$360, 2–4 weeks.
What's the difference between apostille, consular legalization, and super-legalization?
Apostille is one stamp under the Hague Convention (Hague ↔ Hague). Consular legalization is multi-step for non-Hague countries (notary/apostille → embassy → MOFA). Super-legalization adds a destination-MFA verification step — required by Spain, Portugal, Italy, Austria, Qatar, and UAE for some commercial docs.
Which countries are Hague Apostille members?
126+ countries including US, UK, EU, India (2005), Philippines (2019), China (Nov 2023), Canada (Jan 2024), Bangladesh (Mar 2025). Non-members include UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand.
How much does legalization cost?
Hague→Hague apostille: $10–$100. Consular (Hague→non-Hague): $140–$350. Full consular (non-Hague→non-Hague): $155–$500. Commercial docs to UAE add ~$500 (AED 2,000 MOFA fee). Agents add $100–$300/document.
How long does it take?
Apostille only: 1–5 days. Hague→non-Hague: 1–3 weeks. Non-Hague→non-Hague: 2–4 weeks. Expedited cuts time ~50%. UAE MOFA offers same-day if you arrive before 11 AM.
Do I need translation?
UAE/Saudi/Qatar require certified Arabic translation by MOJ-certified translator, done AFTER legalization. China requires certified Chinese translation. Most European countries accept English documents.
Can I legalize a photocopy?
No — stamps go on originals. Some countries accept notary-certified true copies, which can then be apostilled. After full legalization, you can make notarized copies of the attested original.
DIY or professional service?
DIY saves $150–$350/doc but risks rejection on technicalities. Agents (~$125/doc) handle appointments, formatting, courier, and guarantee re-submission. Use agents for tight deadlines, commercial documents, or living far from offices.