Certificate of Free Sale Legalization
A Certificate of Free Sale is an official document issued by a U.S. authority confirming that specific products are legally sold in the United States and are freely available in the domestic market. To be accepted by authorities, importers, or distributors in the United Arab Emirates, this certificate must be legalized by the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C. Legalization confirms the authenticity of the document’s origin, signatures, and seals, ensuring its recognition under UAE law.
When It’s Required
Legalization of a Certificate of Free Sale is commonly required when exporting U.S. goods to the UAE or registering products with UAE regulatory bodies. It is typically requested for:
Product registration with UAE health or regulatory authorities.
Customs clearance for imported goods.
Verification of product legitimacy for trade, distribution, or sale within the UAE.
Submission to UAE government agencies for import licensing or inspection purposes.
Legalization Process
All Certificates of Free Sale issued in the United States must be authenticated through the following process before submission to the UAE Embassy:
Notarization: The Certificate of Free Sale must first be notarized by a licensed Notary Public.
State Authentication: The notarized document must then be certified by the Secretary of State in the issuing state.
U.S. Department of State Authentication: The authenticated document must next be certified by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
UAE Embassy Legalization: The document is finally submitted to the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates for legalization, where the Embassy verifies all prior authentications and affixes its official seal.
Required Documents
Applicants must provide the following items for processing:
Original notarized Certificate of Free Sale.
Copy of the notarized certificate.
Copy of the company’s registration or manufacturing license.
Applicant’s valid photo identification or authorization letter.
Completed UAE Embassy legalization request form.
Proof of payment for all applicable fees.
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 |
Important Notes or Conditions
Certificates must be issued by an official U.S. authority, such as the FDA or the state’s Department of Commerce.
All documents must include original signatures and official seals.
The Embassy may request additional verification if required.
Documents must be submitted in English or accompanied by a certified translation.
Incomplete or unauthenticated documents will not be accepted for processing.