If you’re planning to bring your spouse to the UAE, apply for a family visa, or update your marital status in official records, marriage certificate attestation is a legal requirement. This process confirms that your marriage certificate is genuine and recognized by both your home country and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
This guide provides complete details about marriage certificate attestation, including its importance, required documents, step-by-step process, and how to get it done quickly and correctly—whether your certificate was issued in the UAE or abroad.
What Is Marriage Certificate Attestation?
Marriage certificate attestation is the official verification process that confirms the authenticity of a marriage certificate. The document is first verified by the authorities in the country where it was issued and then attested by the UAE Embassy and MOFA. Once completed, it becomes legally valid in the UAE for all government and legal purposes.
This attestation is required for:
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Applying for a UAE family or spouse visa
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Adding spouse’s name to residence documents
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Changing marital status in Emirates ID or passport records
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Sponsoring family members
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Opening joint bank accounts
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Applying for maternity insurance or benefits
Why Is Marriage Certificate Attestation Important?
In the UAE, only attested documents are accepted by government entities and legal authorities. A non-attested marriage certificate is considered invalid for visa, sponsorship, or legal procedures.
Here’s why marriage certificate attestation is important:
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Confirms the legitimacy of your marriage.
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Ensures your spouse’s visa sponsorship is approved.
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Protects against fraudulent documentation.
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Allows access to health insurance and housing benefits.
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Required for school admissions, property transfers, and bank procedures.
Without attestation, your marriage certificate will not be recognized by UAE authorities, which can delay or block your applications.
Step-by-Step Process for Marriage Certificate Attestation
The process of marriage certificate attestation depends on where your certificate was issued—within the UAE or abroad. Below are both procedures explained in detail.
1. Marriage Certificate Issued Outside the UAE
If your marriage certificate was issued in your home country (for example, India, UK, USA, or Pakistan), follow these steps:
Step 1: Local Verification
Get your marriage certificate attested by the local notary or the relevant district authority in your home country.
Step 2: Home Department Attestation
Next, the certificate must be authenticated by your country’s Home Department or equivalent body.
Step 3: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Attestation (Home Country)
After local verification, the document must be attested by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in your home country.
Step 4: UAE Embassy Attestation
Submit the document to the UAE Embassy in your home country for attestation. This confirms that the UAE government recognizes the document as legitimate.
Step 5: MOFA Attestation in UAE
Once you arrive in the UAE, take your attested marriage certificate to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for final attestation. This step makes your document legally valid in the UAE.
2. Marriage Certificate Issued in the UAE
If your marriage certificate was issued within the UAE (for example, by Dubai Courts or Abu Dhabi Judicial Department), follow this process:
Step 1: Notary Public Attestation
Your Arabic or English marriage certificate must first be verified and stamped by the Notary Public.
Step 2: Ministry of Justice (MOJ) Attestation
After notarization, submit it to the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) for legal verification.
Step 3: MOFA Attestation
Finally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will attest your marriage certificate, making it valid for all official and international purposes.
Documents Required for Marriage Certificate Attestation
To complete marriage certificate attestation, prepare the following documents:
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Original marriage certificate
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Copy of passports of both husband and wife
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UAE residence visa (if applicable)
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Emirates ID copies
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Photographs (passport size, if required)
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Authorization letter (if an agent or representative is handling the process)
Processing Time for Marriage Certificate Attestation
The time required depends on the country of origin and the authorities involved:
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Certificates issued abroad: 7–15 working days
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Certificates issued in the UAE: 2–4 working days
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Urgent attestation services: Available for additional charges
Professional attestation services can help expedite the process, especially for certificates issued outside the UAE.
Cost of Marriage Certificate Attestation
The cost of marriage certificate attestation varies depending on where it is issued and the number of steps involved. Typical charges include:
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Home country verification fees
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UAE Embassy attestation fee: AED 150–250
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MOFA attestation fee: AED 150 per document
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Service provider or courier fee (optional)
Using a professional attestation service may cost slightly more but saves time and ensures no mistakes.
Where to Get Marriage Certificate Attested in UAE
You can get your marriage certificate attested from:
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MOFA attestation centers across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah
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Authorized typing centers offering document legalization services
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UAE Embassy in your home country
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Professional attestation agencies handling end-to-end processing
Benefits of Marriage Certificate Attestation
Attesting your marriage certificate offers multiple legal and practical advantages in the UAE:
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✅ Recognized proof of marriage for official use
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✅ Enables spouse visa and family sponsorship
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✅ Required for insurance, housing, and medical benefits
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✅ Accepted by banks, courts, and government departments
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✅ Supports childbirth registration and school admissions
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✅ Confirms your marital status legally in UAE
Tips for a Smooth Attestation Process
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Always use original documents and avoid photocopies.
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Ensure your certificate is translated into Arabic if issued in another language.
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Verify that your marriage certificate is from a recognized authority.
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Use approved attestation agencies for faster results.
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Keep multiple copies of attested documents for future use.
Marriage Certificate Attestation for Different Countries
Each country has its own procedures, but the general pattern remains the same. Here’s a quick overview:
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Indian Marriage Certificate Attestation: Notary → Home Department → MEA → UAE Embassy → MOFA
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UK Marriage Certificate Attestation: Solicitor → FCDO → UAE Embassy → MOFA
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USA Marriage Certificate Attestation: Notary → Secretary of State → US Department of State → UAE Embassy → MOFA
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Pakistan Marriage Certificate Attestation: Union Council → MOFA Pakistan → UAE Embassy → MOFA UAE
Conclusion
Marriage certificate attestation is a crucial legal requirement for anyone planning to live, work, or sponsor a family in the UAE. It verifies the authenticity of your marriage and ensures that your relationship is officially recognized by the UAE government.
Whether your certificate was issued locally or abroad, completing the attestation process correctly—through MOFA, Embassy, and Justice departments—is essential for smooth documentation and legal compliance.
To save time and avoid errors, you can hire professional attestation services in Dubai that handle all verification and stamping steps on your behalf.
With proper marriage certificate attestation, your family visa, sponsorship, and legal documentation in the UAE will proceed smoothly and without delay.
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