Certificate of Existence Legalization for the United Arab Emirates (UAE)
A Certificate of Existence is an official document issued by a U.S. Secretary of State confirming that a company is legally registered, compliant, and authorized to conduct business in its state of incorporation.
To be accepted by UAE authorities, ministries, or financial institutions, the Certificate of Existence must be properly authenticated and legalized.
The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington, D.C., together with the U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce, facilitates this process for official use in the UAE.
Legalization Process
To ensure your Certificate of Existence is valid in the UAE, it must pass through these steps:
Notarization – By a commissioned U.S. notary public (if required).
State Authentication – Certified by the Secretary of State where the company is registered.
Federal Authentication – By the U.S. Department of State (if applicable).
Chamber Certification – Certified by the U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce.
Embassy Legalization – Final legalization by the Embassy of the UAE in Washington, D.C.
Each step confirms the authenticity of signatures, seals, and the document’s origin for official recognition in the UAE.
Notarized Company Document Processing Time & Fees.
| Service | Fees | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Service fee | $80 | - |
| Maryland notary, court and state fees | $15 | 1 |
| Embassy of UAE fee | $700 | 8 |
| Total | $795 | 9 business days |
About the Certificate of Existence
A Certificate of Existence serves as official confirmation that a company is registered, active, and legally authorized to operate.
It typically contains:
Registered name of the company
Type of business entity (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
Current legal status (active, in good standing, etc.)
State registration date
Signature and seal of the Secretary of State
Legalization confirms that the company’s legitimacy is recognized by UAE authorities, banks, and government agencies.
Common Uses in the UAE
Legalized Certificates of Existence are often required for:
Registering a branch or representative office in the UAE
Opening corporate bank accounts
Participating in government or private tenders
Applying for commercial permits or licenses
Verifying a company’s legal standing for official transactions
Proper legalization ensures that your document is accepted without delay by UAE authorities and institutions.