Lost Degree Certificate? Can a Duplicate Be Attested in UAE?

Can a duplicate degree certificate be attested in the UAE?

Yes, it may be possible—but the word “duplicate” alone does not establish that it is acceptable. MOFA’s academic-certificate guidance describes attestation using either an original certificate or a true copy authenticated by the certificate-issuing authority. An ordinary photocopy or scan is not the same as an issuer-authenticated true copy.

The practical question is how your university or awarding body has issued the replacement: as an official reissued certificate, or as a copy authenticated by the issuer. Because attestation is about verifying official signatures and seals, a duplicate is not automatically acceptable just because it carries that label.

Get the replacement document ready before applying

Contact the university or authority that awarded the degree and explain that the original has been lost and the certificate is needed for use in the UAE. Ask whether it can issue an official replacement or authenticate a true copy for attestation. If it issues a replacement, ask how the receiving authority can verify that it came from the issuer.

Do not treat a photo, scan or ordinary photocopy of the lost certificate as equivalent to an authenticated copy. MOFA’s current general attestation requirements call for original documents, and the attestation application asks you to provide accurate document details. Use the document in the form the issuer formally provides and make sure the details you enter match it.

Check the attestation route for the country that issued your degree

If the degree was issued outside the UAE, do not assume the process for UAE-issued digital certificates applies. MOFA’s general guidance for foreign-issued documents describes authentication by the issuing country’s foreign ministry, followed by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in that country and then attestation in the UAE. Mission procedures can vary, so confirm the requirements for the country and document with the relevant UAE mission before submitting the replacement.

For a degree issued in the UAE, the current digital route is limited to eligible original digital documents from supported authorities. A scan of a paper replacement does not become an original digital certificate. If you are unsure which route applies, see our guide to MOFA digital attestation or courier in the UAE.

Confirm whether you need attestation or qualification recognition

Attestation verifies the authenticity of signatures and seals on a document; it does not itself decide whether the qualification meets an employer’s, licensing body’s or education authority’s recognition requirements. Ask the organization requesting your degree whether it needs document attestation, qualification recognition, or both. If you need a broader explanation of the difference, read our guide to certificate attestation for UAE employment.

In short, a duplicate degree can be a workable starting point if the awarding institution has formally reissued or authenticated it—but acceptance depends on its form and the route required for your document. If you already have a replacement and want help checking the attestation steps before you submit it, Verifast Documents Clearing can review the details with you.