Does the UAE Accept the Apostille?

Wondering does the UAE Accept the Apostille? Even though the UAE is a popular destination for those who move abroad for employment, education, business, and retirement, the country does not accept the Apostille as it is not a Hague Apostille Convention member country.  
Therefore, if you wish to use your documents in the UAE you have to follow a more rigorous authentication and legalization process in the USA.

The UAE offers multiple opportunities and is an affordable country. As a result, more and more people aspire to move to the UAE for employment, business ventures, and academic pursuits, enhancing the demand for document authentication and legalization. 

Here is a detailed guide on the meaning, process and documents needed.
 

What is Authentication?
Authentication of documents is obligatory if you wish to use them in a non-Hague Apostille Convention country like the UAE. This process verifies the genuineness of documents using multiple steps. Attestation by the relevant Secretary of State and/or the US Department of State is required depending on the document type.
 

What is Legalization?
Legalization is the next step of the process. This process ensures that the document gets officially recognized in non-Hague Apostille countries. The process involves:

• Getting a legalization stamp from the consulate or embassy of the destination country. The process is also referred to as “attestation”
   

Types of Documents that Need Authentication and Legalization
The following list of documents commonly requires authentication and legalization for use in the UAE:

• Birth certificates
• Divorce decrees
• Marriage certificates
• Adoption papers
• Diplomas and degrees
• Death certificates
• Transcripts
• Professional licenses and certifications
• Business documents (e.g., articles of incorporation, contracts)
• Financial documents (e.g., bank statements, letters of credit)
• Powers of attorney
• Passports and identification documents
• Medical records and vaccination records
• FBI Identity History Check, criminal records checks
• Certificates of good standing
• Notarized documents 

1. Contact a Reputable Agency
To begin with, get in touch with a dependable agency and share a scanned version of your documents. They will:

• Check your requirements.
• Offer an estimate of the cost and timeline.
• Verify your documents for errors to avoid delays.
• Inform you if notarization or any other additional steps are required before submission. In non-English countries like the UAE, translation might be a requisite. Several agencies like Globeia offer ATA-certified translations to overcome language barriers. 
   

2. Document Submission
You can submit your documents in PDF format if submission of original copies is not a requirement. The agency will check the requirements carefully and inform you if original copies are required. Send the copies through a reputed shipping service like DHL or FedEx, if necessary. 
 

3. Processing
This step involves:

• Submission of your documents by the Agency to the US Department of State and/or the relevant Secretary of State for authentication.
• Once authenticated, the agency will submit them to the consulate or embassy with other required documents for legalization.
• The agency will update you at every stage of the process.

4. Document Delivery
After completion of this process, the agency will send your legalized documents through FedEx, UPS, or DHL. If you require a PDF version, they can send it via email. Based on the notarization of the document or the province of issue as well as the document type, the turnaround time for completion of the authentication and legalization process for UAE may vary. 
 

UAE does not accept the apostille, instead, they require authentication and legalization of documents. If you need help with document legalization and authentication, you can contact Globeia. We handle the entire process professionally and efficiently, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.