Marriage Certificate Attestation in the UAE

Marriage certificate attestation is the formal legalisation of a marriage document by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC). Through this process, MOFAIC confirms the authenticity of the issuing authority’s seal and signature, ensuring that a marriage certificate in the UAE is recognised as legally valid by courts, immigration departments, and other government bodies. This attestation is mandatory when the certificate is used for official purposes, such as applying for a spouse visa, family sponsorship, registering children in civil records, or completing procedures related to inheritance and property. Without it, the certificate has no evidential value before the UAE authorities.

For marriage certificate attestation, MOFAIC requires that the original certificate be submitted in paper form, not laminated, and be issued in either Arabic or English. If the document is in another language, an official translation must be attached. Certificates issued abroad must first be legalised by the competent authority in the country of origin, followed by attestation at the UAE embassy or consulate in that country, before they can be presented to MOFAIC inside the UAE.

The procedure for attesting a marriage certificate in Dubai follows a defined sequence established by MOFAIC: Pre-legalisation abroad. If the certificate was issued outside the UAE, it must first be legalised by the relevant ministry or authority in the country of issue and then attested by a UAE mission there. Application in the UAE. Submit the request to MOFAIC using the Smart Attestation service with UAE Pass. The official fee is paid online. Document delivery. Provide the original certificate via courier pick-up arranged by MOFAIC after payment, or submit it in person at one of the MOFAIC service centres in Dubai. Issuance. Receive the document back duly attested, which gives it full legal effect before all UAE authorities. At EGSH, the entire marriage certificate attestation procedure is conducted through MOFAIC’s official system, and the client receives the attested document in one place, eliminating the need to approach other authorities.

Embassy legalisation is not part of the process for documents issued inside the UAE, as these are attested directly through MOFAIC. For certificates issued abroad, however, a preliminary step must take place in the country of origin: the document must first be authenticated by the competent local authority and then attested at the UAE embassy or consulate in that jurisdiction. After completing these steps, MOFAIC can proceed to the final stage of certificate legalisation in the UAE, which renders the document valid for use before domestic authorities.

The standard submission for attestation of a marriage certificate in Dubai must include the original, unlaminated certificate, presented in Arabic or English, or accompanied by an official legal translation if issued in another language. Where the certificate originates outside the UAE, evidence of prior authentication and UAE mission attestation abroad must be provided before MOFAIC will process the request. In addition, supporting materials such as copies of the spouses' passports, Emirates ID or residence visa (where applicable) are also required.

Once the application and supporting documents are submitted to MOFAIC, the attestation is usually completed within three working days. When the Smart Attestation system with courier delivery is used, the overall timeframe may be slightly extended due to the collection and return of the original certificate. For certificates issued abroad, applicants must allow additional time to complete legalisation by the competent authority in the country of origin and attestation at the UAE mission there before the final MOFAIC stage can be processed in the Emirates. EGSH ensures that applications are filed through the authorised system without delay, so clients receive the attested marriage certificate in the UAE within the official timeframe.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) sets fixed fees for all document attestation services. For personal status documents, including marriage certificates, the official attestation fee is AED 150 per document. This tariff is applied uniformly across all MOFAIC service centres and through the Smart Attestation system. Additional costs may arise only in connection with courier delivery, translation, or prior legalisation abroad if the document was issued outside the UAE.

Certificates issued outside the UAE cannot be attested directly online without prior steps. Before submission to MOFAIC, the document must be legalised in the country of origin by the competent authority (for example, the foreign ministry) and then attested at a UAE embassy or consulate abroad. The Smart Attestation system enables electronic application and payment, but the original foreign-issued certificate must still be presented to MOFAIC via courier delivery or at a service centre. EGSH manages the full process of marriage certificate legalisation and attestation through MOFAIC’s authorised channels, relieving clients from visiting multiple authorities or arranging document delivery.

MOFAIC permits the use of authorised representatives for document attestation. A representative may be appointed by means of a signed authorisation letter or power of attorney, depending on the circumstances. In such cases, the representative is responsible for submitting the original certificate, providing supporting documents, and completing payment on behalf of the client.

An attested marriage certificate in the UAE does not have an expiry date. Once legalised by MOFAIC, the attestation remains permanently valid and confirms the authenticity of the document whenever it is presented to a UAE authority. The certificate remains enforceable unless it is replaced by a new record or is rejected due to damage or alteration.