Everything You Need to Know About UAE Legalization 

Legalization is an essential step for international document requirements. If you're planning to settle, study, or work in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you need to ensure your documents are authorized and authenticated. UAE legalization involves a process of verifying and obtaining legal recognition of your documents. This blog post aims to guide you through the UAE legalization process, including document authentication and embassy legalization.

Document Authentication

The first step of UAE legalization is document authentication. It involves verifying that your document is real and issued by an authorized agent. The primary authentication process is done by the Secretary of State or similar offices in your home country. Afterward, your document undergoes further scrutiny from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). You'll need to provide the original document, a copy, and a passport photocopy. Authentication turnaround time varies depending on the document type and processing office location.

UAE Embassy Legalization

After authentication, the UAE embassy in your country or closest diplomatic mission will review and approve your documents. The UAE embassy legalization process ensures that the document is approved for use in the United Arab Emirates. You must submit the original, authenticated document, copy, and passport photocopy when applying to the embassy. The processing timeframe for UAE legalization varies depending on the embassy's workload.

Document Translation

Along with document authentication and embassy legalization, document translation in Arabic is necessary for most legal procedures in the UAE. Often, the MOFA requires Arabic translation for foreign language documents to proceed. The translations must be done by a certified legal translation service provider in the UAE to acquire official validity. Document translation services are available in the UAE and can range from one day to weeks, depending on the document size.

Document Types

The most commonly legalized documents for the UAE include birth certificates, death certificates, power of attorney, marriage certificates, health certifications, and academic and professional degrees. For academic transcripts and certificates, relative and educational institution verifications are required. Moreover, work permits in the UAE also require legalized documents, such as job contracts, company registration certificates, and financial statements.

Final Steps

Once your documents are authorized, authenticated, legalized, and translated, they're ready for use in the UAE. Keep a copy of the original documents and legalizations for your records. It is also essential to follow the UAE's guidelines and regulations for personal and professional documentation requirements.

Emigrating, studying, or working in the UAE means dealing with legal procedures such as document authorization, authentication, and legalization. Understanding the UAE's document legalization process is crucial in avoiding potential delays and issues. Remember that the process may vary depending on the document type and your location, so always seek professional guidance and take the necessary steps to legalize your documents in the UAE.