Federally Issued Documents Legalization for the UAE
Federally issued documents from the United States must be authenticated and legalized before they can be officially recognized in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This process ensures that certificates, records, and federal approvals are genuine, valid, and accepted for governmental, commercial, or professional use in the UAE.
The U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce (USACC) facilitates this process by obtaining the required federal authentications and UAE Embassy legalization, ensuring compliance with all official requirements.
Legalization Process
To be recognized in the UAE, federally issued documents must complete the following steps:
Federal Authentication – Authenticated by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., confirming the legitimacy of the issuing agency’s signature and seal.
Chamber Certification – Certified by the U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce (if applicable).
UAE Embassy Legalization – Final legalization by the Embassy of the UAE in Washington, D.C., completing the process for official recognition.
Types of Federally Issued Documents
The following U.S. federal documents commonly require legalization for use in the UAE:
FDA Certificates – Includes Certificate to Foreign Government (CFG), Certificate of Exportability, and Certificate of Pharmaceutical Products (COPP) for food, drugs, and medical device exports requiring verification by UAE health authorities.
FBI Background Checks – Required for employment, residency, licensing, or security clearance applications.
USPTO Certificates / Patents – Patent and trademark certificates for intellectual property filings and verifications.
Federal Documents Processing Time & Fees.
| Service | Fees | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Service fee | $100 | - |
| Maryland notary, court and state fees | $15 | 1 |
| U.S. Department of State fee | $20 | 9 |
| Embassy of UAE fee | $700 | 8 |
| Total | $835 | 18 business days |
How to Submit Federal Documents
Applicants may submit their documents by mail or via an authorized service provider. Each submission should include:
The original federally issued document, authenticated by the U.S. Department of State.
A cover note specifying that the document is for use in the UAE.
A prepaid, self-addressed envelope with a tracking number for secure and timely return.
Important Notes:
Only documents issued by U.S. federal agencies and authenticated by the U.S. Department of State are accepted.
Photocopies or scans must be certified by the issuing agency.
Processing times may vary depending on federal agency verification and embassy workload.
For detailed submission guidance, contact the U.S. Arab Chamber of Commerce legalization team.