Losing an attested document — a degree certificate, marriage certificate, birth certificate or experience letter — is stressful, especially when a visa application or job offer depends on it. The reassuring part is that replacing a lost attested document follows a predictable path: obtain a fresh copy of the original certificate from its issuer, get it re-attested through the same chain, and take precautions (like a police report) so the lost original cannot be misused. This guide walks you through each step.
Note the key distinction: an “attested document” is two things in one — the underlying certificate and the attestation stamps on it. Replacing it usually means replacing the certificate first, then re-doing the attestation. If you only need a duplicate of the underlying certificate, our guide on how to request a duplicate certificate covers that half of the process in detail.
Quick Answer
To replace a lost attested document: (1) file a police report about the loss if required or advisable; (2) obtain a duplicate or re-issued certificate from the original issuing authority; (3) re-attest the replacement from the first link of the chain (notarisation/home-country steps) through to UAE MOFA; (4) keep certified copies and attestation receipts so a future loss is easier to recover from. Timelines range from a few days to several weeks depending on the document type and the countries involved.
Step 1: Secure Yourself Against Misuse
A lost attested document carries your name, passport details and official stamps — enough for identity misuse in the wrong hands. Take these precautions immediately:
- File a police report in the emirate (or country) where the loss happened. Many issuing authorities ask for a copy of the report before they re-issue a certificate, and having one on record protects you if the document is misused.
- Notify your employer or sponsor if the document was needed for an active visa or employment process — they may need to pause or adjust the application.
- Keep the police report number and a copy of the report. You will need it for the re-issue application.
Step 2: Get a Replacement Certificate From the Issuer
The attestation stamps died with the lost document — what you need first is a fresh certificate from the authority that issued the original. Common cases:
- Academic certificates: contact the university’s registrar or examinations office. Most universities issue duplicate degrees or transcripts against a police report, an affidavit of loss, your ID and a fee. Processing typically takes days to weeks.
- Marriage certificates: apply to the registrar’s office or religious/civil authority that registered the marriage. If the marriage was registered in the UAE, the relevant court or the authority that issued it can provide a replacement.
- Birth certificates: request a re-issue from the civil registration authority or hospital/municipality records office of the place of birth.
- Experience or employment certificates: ask your former employer’s HR department for a re-issued letter. If the company has closed, gather alternative evidence (pay slips, labour records) and consider legal advice on acceptable substitutes.
- UAE-issued certificates: documents like a police clearance certificate can usually be re-issued quickly through the same UAE government portal that produced them.
A duplicate is generally issued as a fresh original (or a certified reprint) — not a photocopy of the old one — which is exactly what the attestation chain requires.
Step 3: Re-Attest the Replacement Document
This is the part people hope to skip: attestation does not transfer. Even if you have photos of the old stamps or kept the old attestation receipts, the replacement certificate is a new document and must go through the attestation chain from the beginning.
The chain is the same as for a first-time attestation — the steps laid out in how to attest a document, the requirements in our document attestation requirements guide, and the stage-by-stage overview in the UAE document attestation process. In summary:
- Notarisation or certification by the issuing authority in the home country.
- Attestation by the home country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or equivalent).
- Attestation by the UAE embassy in the home country.
- Final attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the UAE.
Two practical notes: some authorities may fast-track a case when you show the police report and explain it is a replacement, and any errors in names or dates should be fixed on the replacement before attestation begins, so you do not pay for attesting a flawed document.
Step 4: What If the Original Is Found Later?
If the lost document turns up after you have replaced it, the old original is generally superseded by the re-issued certificate — most issuing authorities mark the original as cancelled or void in their records when they issue a duplicate. Destroy or clearly mark the old copy so it is not accidentally submitted; do not keep two “live” versions of the same certificate circulating.
Costs and Timelines
Replacing a lost attested document costs roughly the same as attesting a document for the first time, plus the re-issue fee charged by the certificate issuer. Use “typically” ranges rather than exact figures, because fees vary by country, document type and whether you use an agent:
- Certificate re-issue: typically a modest administrative fee set by the issuer; universities and registrars publish their own schedules.
- Re-attestation: each link in the chain charges its own fee — check each authority’s official fee list, since charges vary by country and document type.
- Timeline: re-issue typically takes days to a few weeks; re-attestation follows the normal chain timing, so check the expected duration before planning around a visa deadline.
Replacing Documents Attested Entirely Within the UAE
Some documents never leave the UAE: a UAE-issued power of attorney, a locally notarised affidavit, or a company-issued experience letter attested only by UAE-side bodies. Replacing these is usually faster because every step happens locally — contact the issuing notary, court or company, present your police report and ID, and the re-issued document can go straight back through the UAE-side attestation steps. The UAE government’s official portal u.ae lists current attestation and notary services, including which centres handle re-issued documents, so you can confirm the current procedure before visiting.
Preventing the Next Loss
- Scan and certify: keep high-quality colour scans of the attested document and its attestation receipts in cloud storage and on a USB drive.
- Make certified true copies: many UAE notary and legal offices can certify copies; some receiving parties accept certified copies for preliminary review, sparing the original.
- Record the references: note down attestation receipt numbers, dates and the authorities involved — they make any future re-verification or replacement much faster.
- Store originals securely: a home safe or bank safe-deposit box beats a desk drawer. Carry the original only when you must submit it in person.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I just get a copy of the old attestation stamps put on the new certificate?
No. Attestation stamps are issued to a specific physical document by each authority at a point in time. A replacement certificate is a new document and must be attested fresh through the full chain.
Is a police report mandatory for a replacement?
It depends on the issuer. Many universities, registrars and government offices require a police report or an affidavit of loss before re-issuing a certificate. Even where it is not required, filing one is sensible protection against misuse of the lost original.
My attested document was lost in the UAE. Where do I file the report?
File with the police in the emirate where the loss occurred — Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Police, Sharjah Police and others all accept lost-document reports, many through their official apps or websites. Keep the report reference number.
How long does the whole replacement process take?
Expect the re-issue to take days to weeks, then the re-attestation chain on top of that. If you are on a visa deadline, tell your employer or PRO early — they can often advise on interim options or extensions while the replacement is processed.
What if the issuing authority no longer exists?
This happens with closed companies or merged institutions. Gather every supporting record you can (contracts, pay slips, archived records), and seek advice from the relevant authority or a legal professional on what substitute evidence is accepted.
The Bottom Line
Replacing a lost attested document is a three-part job: protect yourself with a police report, get a fresh certificate from the original issuer, and re-attest it through the full chain — attestation never transfers to a new document. It costs and takes about as long as a first attestation, so the real lesson is prevention: scan everything, record your attestation references, and keep originals locked away. With those habits, a loss becomes an inconvenience instead of a crisis.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi 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.