Patent Assignment Legalization
A Patent Assignment is a legal document that transfers ownership or rights of a patent from one party to another. For such documents to be valid and enforceable in the United Arab Emirates, they must undergo the official legalization process through the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C. This process confirms the authenticity of the signatures, seals, and authorities that issued or notarized the document in the United States.
When It’s Required
Legalization of a Patent Assignment is required when a U.S.-issued patent ownership transfer is intended for recognition or enforcement in the UAE. This includes:
Registration of intellectual property under a new owner in the UAE.
Establishing business partnerships or licensing arrangements involving patents.
Submission of patent documents to UAE courts or government entities.
Use of patent ownership records in corporate or commercial filings within the UAE.
Legalization Process
All Patent Assignment documents issued in the United States must follow the complete authentication chain before submission to the UAE Embassy:
Notarization: The document must first be notarized by a licensed Notary Public.
State Authentication: The notarized document must be certified by the Secretary of State of the issuing state.
U.S. Department of State Authentication: After state certification, the document must be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.
UAE Embassy Legalization: Finally, the document is submitted to the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates for legalization. The Embassy will verify prior authentications and apply its official seal.
Required Documents
Applicants must provide the following:
Original notarized Patent Assignment document.
Copy of the notarized document.
Copy of company registration or incorporation certificate (if applicable).
Applicant’s valid photo identification.
Completed UAE Embassy legalization application form.
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 |
All notarizations and certifications must be clear, legible, and issued by recognized authorities. Documents containing digital or scanned signatures will not be accepted unless properly notarized and authenticated. The Embassy may request additional documentation for verification if required. All documents must be presented in English or accompanied by a certified translation.Important Notes or Conditions
Incomplete applications or documents not properly authenticated will be returned unprocessed.
Conclusion
Applicants are advised to ensure that all Patent Assignment documents meet the UAE Embassy’s legalization requirements and are authenticated by the relevant U.S. authorities prior to submission.