Attestation of Certificates in Dubai | ExpatWoman.com
 

Attestation of Certificates in Dubai

Here's our guide to attesting your documents while in the UAE. It can be a long process, so we aim to help you as best as we can.

Posted on

4 September 2012

Last updated on 16 March 2020
Attestation of Certificates in Dubai

Wondering how to get your documents attested while in Dubai? Read on...

There are probably a lot of people living in Dubai who moved due to a fast-paced decision, not realizing the lengthy paper-work processes that you must fill out and attest. Between figuring out where to live, what to take and potentially tearful goodbye's to friends and family, the whirlwind of things to do may have unintentionally left out important documents from getting attested.

It isn't until you get to Dubai, find or start a job, and then have to have your certificates, school diplomas, degrees, etc. attested for any kind of visa, permit, or tenancy agreement.

SEE ALSO: Credit Cards in Dubai

But don't worry - you're really not the only one, and getting your important paperwork attested is doable and relatively stress-free if you know what to do and where to send it all.

From attesting birth certificates and education documents to work certificates and marriage papers, this is your handy guide to attesting certificates in Dubai.

UK Educational Certificates

There are two options you can choose from; the first procedure is to get the document certified by the British Council here in Dubai, and then returned to the UK for further verification. The second is to start the process in the UK personally, via a Notary.

Attestation of Certificates in Dubai

Step 1: British Council in Dubai or Notary Public in UK

The British Council in Dubai only stamps and verifies the following documents issued by UK-accredited institutions:

  • Original and/or photocopied educational documents.
  • School certificates from recognised UK boards.

It costs AED 60 for verification and AED 200 for a stamp on the certificate.

To start the verification process, you must visit the British Council in person with the original educational certificate and one copy. Complete the verification request form, give a consent letter, and you'll then receive an email copy of the consent letter with a copy of your document to the awarding UK institution for confirmation.

The British Council contacts the relevant institutions and the process takes up to 2 weeks normally. Once verification from the institution has been received, you will have to return to the British Council and take the original certificate and photographic ID.

If you opt for sending your documents to a Notary Public, you must send the certificate to the relevant office and the cost of the service will depend upon the individual solicitor's office.

Step 2: The Legalisation Office, Milton Keynes

Once you have the stamp or signature from either the British Council or Notary Public, it then has to be legalised by the Legalisation Office of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO-UK) in Milton Keynes, UK.

Attestation of Certificates in Dubai

We recommend you send the documents via courier or special delivery. You should state that the documents enclosed are for presentation to the UAE authorities. The charge is £30 per document, plus postage.

Step 3: UAE Embassy in London

After the Legalisation office attests your certificates, you may wish for your documents to be collected and transferred to the UAE Embassy by courier. It must go to the UAE Embassy in London as the FCO-UK signature needs to be attested also.

The charge is £30 (around AED 135) each.

Step 4: Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE

Once the FCO-UK signature is attested at the UAE Embassy in London, you must take them straight to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for attestation.

In total, you're looking at roughly AED 560, give or take, for each document - excluding postage, packaging, and courier fees.

Attestation of Certificates in Dubai

USA Document Authentication

While the US Embassy recommends individuals attest their certificates before moving to Dubai, unfortunately, this isn't the case for most.

You must instead complete the 'chain authentication process' in which a series of authorities will affix a succession of seals beginning with your document, and ending with the seal of the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC and the appropriate office of the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

For US educational certificates

Step 1: Obtain your document and complete the first authentication

Documents issued by educational institutions such as college degrees, transcripts, vocational certificates should be originals and be obtained from the educational institutions themselves.

Most schools in the U.S. have Notaries Public to provide certified copies of the degrees or transcripts. We advise you research this information or contact the institution yourself.

To begin the attestation process, the documents must then be authenticated by the state's Secretary of State. You must contact the institution to determine how best to have your document authenticated by the state's Secretary of State.

It's important to note that different types of documents must be authenticated via different means in different states across the USA.

Attestation of Certificates in Dubai

Step 2: Get your document authenticated by the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office

Once you have completed the state level authentication, you must then get your document authenticated by the U.S. Department of State Authentications Office. There is a fee of $8 for each authentication.

Step 3: The final authentication at the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC

You must then submit the chain of authentications to the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC for their final authentication. You may want to organise a courier to collect and deliver between the state office, U.S. Department of State Authentications Office and the UAE Embassy.

While it seems so much hassle at the time, once it's attested it's done! And you won't have to worry about it again for a long time. Plus, attesting your documents as early as possible will save money down the long run, and will be extremely handy if you ever changed job or career.

US Spousal Sponsorship/Marriage Certificate

Marriage certificate attestation is needed by the government of the UAE mainly for the purposes of spousal sponsorship. The process may be a lengthy one taking several weeks and in some countries even months. The minimum wage that a spousal sponsor needs to be earning is AED 4,000 in order to be eligible to sponsor a spouse.

Attestation of Certificates in Dubai

Do not bring your spouse to the UAE until you have completed all of the steps for the attestation of a marriage certificate below. It is also a good idea to have an official translation of your marriage certificate from the language of your home country into both Arabic and English handy before you begin the procedures.

It is also a good idea to have an official translation of your marriage certificate from the language of your home country into both Arabic and English handy before you begin the procedures.

Steps to take:

  • The Marriage certificate would first have to be attested by the Home Affairs Department in your home country.
  • Thereafter it would have to be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs in your home country.
  • Once this is completed, the marriage certificate attested by the Ministry of External Affairs would have to be attested by the Embassy of the UAE in your home country.
  • Finally the Marriage Certificate would have to be attested once again by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE and the UAE Consulate.

Your marriage certificate will resemble a thin book bound with coloured ribbons. It is imperative that these bindings are not tampered with as this will invalidate your attestations.

Attestation of Certificates in Dubai

US Birth Certificates

Birth certificate attestation is needed by the government of the UAE mainly for the purposes of sponsoring a child’s residency. The process may be a lengthy one.

It is a good idea to have an official translation of your marriage certificate from the language of your home country into both Arabic and English handy before you begin the procedures.

Steps to take:

  • The birth certificate would first have to be attested by the Home Affairs Department in your home country.
  • Thereafter it would have to be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs in your home country.
  • Once this is completed, the birth certificate attested by the Ministry of External Affairs would have to be attested by the Embassy of the UAE in your home country.
  • Finally, the birth certificate would have to be attested once again by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE and the UAE Consulate.

The birth certificate will resemble a thin book bound with coloured ribbons. It is imperative that these bindings are not tampered with as this will invalidate your attestations.

 
 

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