Losing your degree certificate is more stressful than it sounds. One minute it is filed away somewhere safe, the next an employer, a visa officer, or a professional licensing body is asking for it and you cannot find it. So here is the direct answer to “How to Get a Duplicate Degree Certificate”: you request it from the registrar or student records office of the university that awarded your degree. No government office prints degrees on a university’s behalf, so the process starts — and almost always ends — with your alma mater.
This guide walks you through the whole process: who can apply, which documents you will need, how long it usually takes, what to do if your university has closed or merged, and how to make your duplicate usable for jobs and official purposes in the UAE.
Quick Answer
To get a duplicate degree certificate, contact the registrar or alumni office of the university that issued your degree, fill in their duplicate or reissue application (online or in person), submit proof of identity plus any required supporting documents such as a police report or affidavit for a lost certificate, and pay the reissue fee. Processing typically takes two to eight weeks depending on the university. Once you receive it, get the duplicate attested the same way you would the original if you plan to use it for employment or government purposes in the UAE.
Who Can Issue a Duplicate Degree Certificate?
Only the university or awarding institution that issued your original degree can issue a duplicate. UAE authorities, including the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, handle attestation and equivalency — they do not reprint degrees. If you graduated from a college affiliated with a larger university, apply through the parent university’s registrar, because the degree was issued in the university’s name.
Most universities accept applications from the graduate only. If you cannot apply in person — for example, you live in the UAE and studied abroad — many registrars accept applications by post or through an online student portal, and some allow an authorised representative to apply on your behalf with proper authorisation.
Documents You Will Usually Need
Requirements vary from one university to another, but the list below covers what registrars most commonly ask for. Check your university’s website or student portal before you start, since missing paperwork is the most common reason applications get delayed.
| Document | Why it is needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Government-issued photo ID | To prove you are the graduate | Passport or Emirates ID; must match the name on your student record |
| Copy of the original degree | To identify your exact qualification | A scan or photocopy helps; not mandatory if you have your enrollment details |
| Student ID / roll number and graduation year | To locate your record in the university’s archives | The more detail you provide, the faster the search |
| Police report or affidavit | To confirm the original was lost or stolen | Usually required for lost certificates; an affidavit can often be made at a notary public |
| Damaged original (if applicable) | To exchange a damaged certificate | Surrender the damaged copy when you collect the duplicate |
| Passport-size photographs | For the application file | Some universities still keep a physical file per graduate |
| Completed application form and fee receipt | To register your request | Forms are usually downloadable from the university website |
Step-by-Step: How to Get a Duplicate Degree Certificate
Step 1: Find the right office. Search your university’s website for “duplicate degree”, “reissue of certificate”, or “student records”. Large universities often have a dedicated alumni or examination section that handles these requests. If the website is unclear, email the registrar directly.
Step 2: Fill in the application. Complete the duplicate certificate form carefully. Make sure the name spelling, degree title, and graduation year match your university records exactly — discrepancies are a common cause of rejections.
Step 3: Attach your documents. Include your ID, a copy of the original degree if you have one, and the police report or affidavit if the certificate was lost. If your name has changed since graduation (for example, after marriage), attach the legal proof of the name change so the duplicate reflects your current legal name.
Step 4: Pay the reissue fee. Fees vary widely between universities and countries, and they change over time, so check the official fee schedule on your university’s website. Expect a modest administrative fee, with extra charges for international courier delivery.
Step 5: Track your application. Keep your application or reference number and follow up at reasonable intervals. Older records — especially paper archives from before digital student systems — can take longer to retrieve.
Step 6: Collect or receive your duplicate. Some universities hand it over in person, others post it to your registered address. When it arrives, check every detail immediately: name spelling, degree title, class or grade, and date of issue.
What If Your University Has Closed or Merged?
This happens more often than people expect. If your university no longer exists under its old name, start by finding out which institution absorbed its records — merged universities almost always transfer student archives to the successor institution. If no successor exists, contact the education ministry or higher education authority of the country where you studied; they usually designate a custodian for the records of closed institutions.
Be prepared for a slower process in these cases. Archived records may be stored off-site or in paper form, and you may need to provide extra evidence such as old transcripts, admission letters, or examination hall tickets to help staff locate your file. While you wait, it helps to gather your supporting academic documents — our guide on how to request a university transcript covers that process in detail.
If Your Degree Is From Outside the UAE
Applying from abroad is normal — universities deal with overseas alumni all the time. Most accept applications by post or through their online portal, and the finished duplicate can usually be couriered to your UAE address. A few practical points:
- Check whether the application must be notarised or signed in a specific way before mailing.
- If someone else will apply or collect on your behalf, the university will usually require written authorisation — in many cases a power of attorney is the cleanest way to handle this, and our UAE power of attorney guide explains how that works.
- Factor in courier time on top of the university’s processing time, and use a trackable service for documents this important.
- If the degree is in a language other than Arabic or English, you will likely need a certified translation later — see the UAE legal translation requirements for what counts as an acceptable translation.
How Much Does It Cost, and How Long Does It Take?
There is no single answer, because every university sets its own fee and timeline. As a rough guide, reissue fees are typically modest — think administrative charges rather than tuition-level amounts — though some universities charge more for older records that require manual archive searches. International courier fees are usually billed separately.
Processing time typically falls between two and eight weeks. Digital-era records move faster; paper archives from decades ago can take several months. If you are on a deadline — a job offer or visa filing — apply as early as possible and ask the registrar whether an urgent or priority track exists. Some universities offer one for an additional fee.
What to Do After You Receive Your Duplicate
Getting the duplicate is only half the job if you need it for official use in the UAE. Work through this short checklist:
- Verify every detail. Confirm your name, the degree title, the awarding institution, and the date. A duplicate that carries a printing error will cause the same problems as a missing one.
- Get it attested. A duplicate carries the same legal weight as the original, and it goes through the same attestation process. Walk through the steps in our UAE document attestation guide so the certificate is accepted by employers and government departments. For degrees issued by UAE universities, the Ministry of Education’s automated attestation service can complete this step in under an hour.
- Consider equivalency. If the degree is from outside the UAE and you need it for employment or further study here, you may need official recognition of the qualification — our guide on how to verify a university degree explains the UAE’s recognition process step by step. The official starting point is the qualification recognition guidance on the UAE government portal.
- Scan and store it. Keep a high-quality certified scan in cloud storage and a physical copy in a safe place, so you never have to repeat this process. A graduation certificate and transcript make useful backups too — see how to get a graduation certificate if you need one.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying to the wrong office. Government ministries do not reprint university degrees — the issuing university’s registrar is the only correct destination.
- Name mismatches. If the name on your ID differs from the name on your student record, attach legal proof of the change or your application may stall.
- Skipping the police report. Many universities will not process a “lost certificate” request without one; get it done before you apply.
- Using unofficial agents. Beware of third parties offering “fast duplicate degrees” for a premium. A legitimate duplicate only ever comes from the university itself.
- Waiting until the last minute. Archive searches take time. Start the process the moment you know you need the certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can someone else collect my duplicate degree certificate for me?
Usually yes, but only with written authorisation. Most registrars accept a signed authorisation letter, and some require a formal power of attorney, especially when the graduate is abroad. Check your university’s rules and confirm what the collecting person must bring as their own ID.
Is a duplicate degree certificate valid for attestation in the UAE?
Yes. A duplicate issued by the awarding university is an official document in its own right and goes through the standard UAE document attestation process exactly like an original. Attestation offices do not distinguish between an original and a genuine duplicate.
Will the duplicate be marked as “Duplicate”?
Often, yes. Many universities stamp or print the word “Duplicate” on reissued certificates. This does not reduce its validity — it is simply how universities distinguish reissues from first printings, and attestation authorities accept it without issue.
Can I get a duplicate degree certificate online?
It depends on the university. Many institutions now accept applications through their student or alumni portal, but the finished certificate is almost always issued as a physical document — a security-printed hard copy — because digital-only degrees are still rare. Expect to receive it by post or in-person collection.
What if I do not remember my roll number or student ID?
Provide whatever you do remember: full name at the time of study, programme name, year of admission or graduation, and date of birth. University archives can usually locate records from a combination of these details, though the search may take longer.
How long does a duplicate degree certificate take to arrive?
Typically two to eight weeks from a complete application, plus courier time if you are abroad. Older paper records, closed institutions, and peak graduation seasons can push this to several months, so apply early if you have a deadline.
The Bottom Line
Getting a duplicate degree certificate is a straightforward administrative process, not a bureaucratic maze: identify your university’s registrar, submit a complete application with ID and supporting documents, pay the fee, and wait for processing. The two things that cause most delays — incomplete paperwork and applying to the wrong office — are entirely avoidable. Once the duplicate is in your hands, attest it and store a certified scan, and this particular piece of paper will never cause you stress again.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Asandada24, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Asandada24 is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.