Legalization of U.S. Personal Documents for the UAE
Personal documents issued in the United States must be fully legalized before they can be recognized in the United Arab Emirates. This multi-step process ensures your paperwork is valid, authentic, and accepted by UAE government agencies, courts, universities, and other official institutions. Without proper attestation, your documents may be rejected, causing serious delays and complications.
The Legalization Process for Personal Documents
Legalization of personal documents is more extensive than corporate or export paperwork, as it requires authentication from the U.S. Department of State before UAE Embassy attestation. The process generally includes:
- Notarization — Certain documents (e.g., affidavits or copies) must first be notarized by a commissioned notary public. Wet ink signatures are required; online notarizations are not accepted.
- State-Level Authentication — The notarized or original document is certified by the Secretary of State in the state of issuance. All 50 U.S. states are accepted by the UAE Embassy.
- U.S. Department of State Authentication — At this stage, the document is authenticated at the federal level by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. This step is obligatory for personal documents.
- UAE Embassy Attestation — Finally, the documents are presented to the UAE Embassy or consulate for legalization. Once the official seal is applied, the documents are valid for use in the UAE.
Most Common Personal Documents Requiring Legalization
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Identity & Civil Status | Birth Certificate, Marriage License, Divorce Certificate, Death Certificate, Single Status, No Record of a Marriage, Copy of Passport, Social Security Administration |
| Legal & Court Records | Affidavit, Court Record, Criminal Record, FBI Background Check, Power of Attorney, Permission to Travel Document |
| Education & Professional | School/College Diploma, School/College Transcript, Teacher Credentials, Medical Letters |
| Other Personal Records | Any additional documents required for legal, educational, or immigration purposes |
Processing Timelines and Costs
| Document Type | Service Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Documents | $330 per document | 20 business days |
Start Your Personal Document Legalization Today
We manage the entire legalization process for your U.S.-issued personal documents — from notarization through U.S. Department of State authentication to UAE Embassy attestation. Our team ensures strict compliance with UAE requirements, so your documents are never delayed or rejected. Once completed, we return your documents securely via FedEx or DHL, giving you peace of mind that your paperwork will arrive on time and ready for official use in the UAE. Contact us today to begin your personal document attestation process.