Document Attestation for Company Registration in Saudi Arabia

If you're a foreign company looking to establish a presence in Saudi Arabia, document attestation is one of the most time-sensitive steps in the process.

It often requires multi-layer verification across home-country authorities, embassies, and Saudi regulatory bodies, and any delays at this stage can quickly cascade into setbacks for company incorporation.

This guide covers the required documents, attestation paths, and additional paperwork you'll need to be ready before your business setup process can move forward.

1. Required Company Documents

Before initiating registration, your parent company must prepare the following official documents:

• Company Registration Certificate — Must be valid for at least 180 days from the date of submission.
• Memorandum of Association / Articles of Association — Must be the most recent version on file.
• Most Recent Audited Financial Statements — Must demonstrate profitability in the last financial year. Special-circumstance exceptions may apply; your consultant will advise.
• Power of Attorney (PoA)—Grants the local third party the authority to act on behalf of your parent company. Your dedicated business setup consultant will share a draft with you.

NOTE: The PoA must be notarized at a notary's office before proceeding with any attestation steps.

2. Attestation: If Your Parent Country Is Part of the Hague Convention

If your parent company is incorporated in a Hague Convention member state, the attestation process is as follows:

• All documents must be legalized.
• Each document must carry an apostille seal issued by the relevant authority in your parent country.

NOTE: An apostille is a standardized form of authentication recognized across all Hague Convention countries. Confirm with your local authority which body issues apostilles in your jurisdiction (typically the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a regional court, or a notary authority depending on the country).

3. Attestation: If Your Parent Country Is Not Part of the Hague Convention

If your parent company is incorporated in a country that has not signed the Hague Convention, a longer attestation chain is required:

1. All documents must be legalized in your parent country.
2. Each document must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) of your parent country.
3. Each document must then be attested by the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in your parent country.

4. Additional Documents Required in Saudi Arabia

Once your attested documents are ready, you will also need to provide the following in Saudi Arabia:

• VAT/Tax Certificate from your parent company's country of registration.
• Ownership Structure Chart — A document listing the names, passport numbers, nationalities, and ownership percentages of every company and individual involved in the ownership chain.
• IDs of Parent Shareholders (Owners) — The bank requires IDs for all shareholders. If the company is owned by another company, you must provide that company's registration documents and passport copies for all individuals, tracing back to the ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs).

Start Your Setup With the Right Support

Document attestation is procedural but highly consequential—errors or expired documents at this stage cause real delays. If you're planning to set up a business as a foreigner in Saudi Arabia, working with an experienced setup partner ensures you have the right documents in the right format before submission.