UAE Embassy Attestation & Legalization of U.S. Company Documents

For U.S. company documents to be officially recognized by government authorities, financial institutions, and business entities in the United Arab Emirates, they must undergo a complete UAE embassy attestation and legalization process. This ensures authenticity and compliance with UAE regulations.

The legalization of documents for the UAE is a mandatory step for businesses engaging in international operations. Common needs include establishing a company in the UAE, opening a branch office, securing trade licenses, or entering into commercial agreements.

What Is Legalization of Documents?

Legalization is the process of authenticating a document through U.S. authorities and the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C. or one of its consulates. Each seal and signature is verified to confirm validity for use in the UAE.

The document legalization process generally includes:

• Certification by the Secretary of State.
• Final UAE Embassy legalization to validate the document for use in the UAE.
• Optional U.S. Department of State authentication, if requested.

Our Role in the Attestation Process

The UAE Chamber of Commerce manages the entire attestation of company documents process on behalf of clients. Instead of navigating multiple agencies, every step is handled directly by our team:

• End-to-end service: From notarization to final UAE embassy attestation.
• Faster turnaround: Most company documents are completed in 9 business days.
• Secure delivery: Finalized documents are shipped back through trusted carriers such as FedEx.
• Compliance assurance: Every step is verified to prevent rejections or delays at the embassy.

Document Requirements

• Documents must be signed with wet ink signatures; digital or electronic signatures are not accepted.
• The signer’s name must be typed or printed beneath the signature.
• Signatures must be notarized by a commissioned U.S. Notary Public; online notarizations are not accepted.
• The UAE Embassy accepts certifications from any of the 50 U.S. Secretaries of State.
• With the Standard Service, certification is processed through the State of Maryland.
• Documents will be verified as originals; no action is required with the client’s own Secretary of State.
• Clients may choose to obtain certification from their own Secretary of State before sending documents for processing.
• The U.S. Department of State authentication is generally not required by the UAE Embassy. If requested, this step adds $30 and extends processing by two weeks.

UAE Attestation Process for U.S. Company Documents

1. Notarization – Performed by a U.S. Notary Public (wet ink required).
2. State-Level Certification – Issued by the Secretary of State in the document’s state of origin (or processed via Maryland for standard service).
3. UAE Embassy Attestation – Final verification and legalization by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in the United States.
4. Optional: U.S. Department of State authentication if specifically requested.

Common Company Documents Requiring Attestation

Processing Timelines and Legal Compliance

The estimated timeline for most corporate document attestation is approximately 9 business days. Some cases may vary depending on state or optional U.S. Department of State processing. With professional handling, delays are minimized, and compliance with UAE requirements is ensured.

Start the UAE Attestation Process Today

The UAE Chamber of Commerce provides a reliable and structured approach to document legalization services for all U.S. company records. Every step is managed by experts, reducing administrative burden and ensuring compliance with UAE laws. Finalized documents are returned quickly and securely via FedEx delivery. Begin the certification attestation for UAE by contacting the UAE Chamber of Commerce today.