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.

Why Are People Settling in the UAE?

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.

The Attestation or Authentication Process

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

Authenticating and Legalizing USA Documents Using a Reputable Agency in the US: The Process

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.

Conclusion: Does the UAE Accept the Apostille?

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.

Written by :

We are a background screening and document verification agency in Toronto. While we cover the Greater Toronto Area for in-person appointments, the bulk of our clientele uses our online services from different countries of the world. Globeia makes it simple and cost-effective for companies and individuals to navigate governmental red tape without breaking the bank.

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