Documents not issued by government offices typically need notarization first. The notary must be commissioned in the state where authentication will occur. Private documents like affidavits, powers of attorney, and certain copies require this step. Government-issued documents like birth certificates and official transcripts usually skip notarization as they already bear official signatures and seals.
US Document Attestation in Dubai
State & Federal Authentication
Complete attestation service for American documents required in UAE. We navigate the unique US federal system where documents must pass through both state and federal authentication before UAE Embassy and MOFA attestation. Documents from all 50 states handled with expert knowledge of each state's Secretary of State procedures.
The US Attestation Chain
- Notarization (if needed) — For private documents, affidavits, and copies
- Secretary of State — State-level authentication (processing varies by state)
- US Dept of State — Federal apostille in Washington DC (4-8 weeks standard, 1-2 weeks expedited)
- UAE Embassy DC — Embassy legalization confirms UAE recognition (3-5 days)
- MOFA UAE — Final attestation for UAE government acceptance (1-3 days)
State vs Federal Documents
State documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, degrees, corporate filings) require Secretary of State authentication first. Federal documents (FBI background checks, federal court orders) skip state authentication and go directly to Department of State.
State Processing Times
- Fast states — Texas (1-3 days), Florida (1-2 days), New York (same-day in-person available)
- Medium states — Illinois (3-5 days), Pennsylvania (2-4 days), New Jersey (3-5 days)
- Slow states — California (2-4 weeks mail-only), some other western states
Documents We Attest
- Educational — University degrees, transcripts, professional certifications from all 50 states
- Personal — Birth, marriage, divorce certificates from any state
- Federal — FBI Identity History Summary (police clearance)
- Commercial — Articles of Incorporation, POA, board resolutions
Total Timeline
2-8 weeks depending on issuing state and service level. We provide accurate estimates based on your specific state, document type, and current processing times at each authentication level.
State + Federal Secretary of State & US Dept of State
UAE Embassy DC Washington DC Embassy legalization
2-8 Weeks varies by state processing times
All 50 States documents from any US state
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US Attestation Process
1
Document Assessment
Send your US document via WhatsApp. We identify the issuing state, determine if notarization is needed, and confirm the complete authentication chain.
2
State Authentication
Secretary of State in the issuing state authenticates the document. Processing times vary significantly by state - from same-day to 4 weeks.
3
Federal Apostille
US Department of State applies the apostille in Washington DC. Standard processing 4-8 weeks, expedited 1-2 weeks available.
4
UAE Embassy & MOFA
UAE Embassy in Washington DC attests the document, then MOFA in UAE completes the chain. Your document is ready for official UAE use.
US Degrees & Diplomas
University degrees, college diplomas, and professional certifications from institutions across all 50 states attested for UAE employment and licensing.
FBI Background Checks
FBI Identity History Summary (criminal background check) attested for UAE visa applications. Federal documents skip state authentication.
US Vital Records
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees from any US state attested for UAE legal recognition.
The US Authentication Chain
The Secretary of State in the issuing state authenticates signatures on the document. For notarized documents, they verify the notary commission is valid and current. For government documents, they confirm the issuing official signature. Each state has different procedures, fees, and processing times. Some states require county clerk certification before Secretary of State authentication.
After state authentication, documents go to the US Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington DC. This federal office applies the apostille—an internationally recognized certificate confirming US government authentication. Standard processing currently takes 4-8 weeks due to high volumes. Expedited service is available for 1-2 weeks at additional cost. This is often the longest part of US document attestation.
The UAE Embassy in Washington DC applies legalization stamps confirming UAE recognition of the US government authentication. Processing typically takes 3-5 working days. Documents must be submitted with appropriate fees and application forms. The embassy verifies the Department of State apostille before applying their stamp.
The final step is MOFA attestation in UAE. This confirms UAE government acceptance for official use within the country. MOFA processing typically takes 1-3 working days. After MOFA attestation, your document is legally valid for submission to UAE government authorities, employers, courts, and other official entities.
State-by-State Processing Guide
Mail-only processing with 2-4 week turnaround. No walk-in service available at Sacramento office. Documents must be notarized by a California-commissioned notary or issued by a California state agency. All educational documents from California institutions (UC system, CSU, private colleges) are processed here. Plan for the longer processing time and consider expedited Department of State service to offset delays.
Offers both mail-in and in-person service at Albany and New York City offices. Same-day in-person processing available for urgent needs. Some documents require County Clerk certification before Secretary of State authentication—this is common for documents from NYC boroughs. NYU, Columbia, CUNY, and SUNY documents all process through New York Secretary of State. Relatively efficient overall.
Efficient 1-3 day mail-in processing with walk-in service available at the Austin office. One of the fastest states for authentication. Documents from Texas universities (UT system, Texas A&M, Rice, SMU, etc.) process quickly here. Corporate documents for Texas-registered companies also follow this path. Texas is often a good example of how fast the US process can be when state processing is efficient.
Quick 1-2 day processing with both mail-in and in-person options at Tallahassee office. Another efficient state that helps keep total attestation timeline reasonable. Documents from Florida universities (UF, FSU, Miami, etc.) and Florida vital records (birth, marriage, divorce) process here. Popular for retirees and business professionals relocating to UAE.
Processing typically takes 3-5 business days. Springfield office handles authentication. Documents from Illinois institutions (University of Chicago, Northwestern, UIUC, etc.) are processed here. Chicago-area notarized documents require Secretary of State authentication before proceeding to federal level.
Harrisburg office processes authentication in 2-4 business days. Documents from Pennsylvania institutions (Penn State, University of Pennsylvania, Carnegie Mellon, etc.) follow this path. Both mail-in and walk-in options available.
Trenton office typically processes in 3-5 business days. Documents from New Jersey institutions (Rutgers, Princeton, NJIT, etc.) are authenticated here. County clerk certification may be required for some document types before Secretary of State processing.
Boston office processes authentication in 5-7 business days. Documents from Massachusetts institutions (MIT, Harvard, Boston University, etc.) are handled here. The Commonwealth uses slightly different terminology but follows the same authentication chain.
Olympia office processes documents in 3-5 business days. Documents from Washington institutions (University of Washington, WSU, etc.) are authenticated here. Mail-in and walk-in options available. Not to be confused with Washington DC, which is the federal District of Columbia.
We handle documents from all 50 states including less common origins like Wyoming, North Dakota, Montana, and Alaska. Processing times and procedures vary by state. Some states have multiple offices or require specific routing. Send your document details and we provide accurate timeline based on current state processing times and our experience with that specific office.
Document Types and Requirements
University degrees (bachelor, master, doctoral), college diplomas, community college credentials, and professional certifications. Documents must be from accredited US institutions recognized by the US Department of Education. Original diplomas are preferred, but certified copies can sometimes be authenticated if the original cannot be released. Transcripts typically need notarization before state authentication.
The FBI Identity History Summary (criminal background check) is the most common federal document for UAE visa applications, Golden Visa, and employment. As a federal document, it skips state authentication and goes directly to Department of State for apostille. FBI reports have a validity period (typically 6 months), so timing coordination is critical. We help you plan the process to ensure your FBI check remains valid throughout attestation and submission.
State-issued vital records from any US state are required for family visa sponsorship, dependent visas, and UAE legal matters. Must be official certified copies from the state vital records office—hospital-issued commemorative certificates are not acceptable. Some states issue different formats; the certified copy with registrar seal is what is needed.
State-issued marriage certificates for spouse visa sponsorship and family status documentation in UAE. Must be official copies from the county or state vital records office. Wedding ceremony certificates from churches or venues are not acceptable—only the state-registered marriage certificate can be authenticated.
Court-issued divorce decrees from US state courts for remarriage, family status, or inheritance matters in UAE. Must be certified copies from the court that issued the decree. Some states require additional authentication steps for court documents.
Articles of Incorporation, Certificates of Good Standing, Certificate of Formation (for LLCs), board resolutions, and corporate powers of attorney. Secretary of State in the state of incorporation handles authentication. Delaware and Nevada documents are common due to the popularity of these states for incorporation. Foreign-qualified companies may need authentication from multiple states.
State-issued professional licenses (medical, engineering, legal, accounting, etc.) can be authenticated for use in UAE professional licensing applications. The license must be current and in good standing. Verification letters from licensing boards may also be required by UAE authorities.
US powers of attorney executed for use in UAE must be notarized and then authenticated through the full chain. The notary must be commissioned in the state where authentication will occur. Special formatting requirements may apply for UAE legal acceptance.
UAE Embassy Locations and Procedures
The main embassy in Washington DC handles the majority of document attestation for US documents. Located at 3522 International Court NW, the embassy accepts submissions in person or via authorized agents. Processing typically takes 3-5 business days. Documents must have Department of State apostille before embassy submission.
The Los Angeles consulate serves the western United States and can process attestation for documents that have completed US authentication. Located in Beverly Hills, the consulate may have different processing times than the DC embassy. Useful for California and other western state documents.
The New York consulate serves the northeastern United States. Located in Manhattan, it can process attestation for documents from the region. Processing times may vary from the main embassy.
All UAE diplomatic missions require: the original document with Department of State apostille, completed application form, applicable fees (cash or money order typically), and copy of the document owner passport. Processing is done in batches, so submission early in the week often results in faster return.
After Attestation: Next Steps
Most UAE authorities require Arabic translation after attestation. We provide MOJ-certified translation referencing all attestation stamps on the original document. The translation includes descriptions of all seals and stamps applied during the attestation chain. For educational documents, we specialize in degree certificate translation that meets MOHRE and DHA requirements.
FBI checks should be used within 6 months of issue—plan attestation timing accordingly. Police clearances for some UAE purposes have similar validity windows. Educational certificates do not expire but should be attested before the institution closes or changes significantly. Some UAE authorities may request recent attestation dates.
Attested educational certificates are submitted to MOHRE (Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation) through your employer PRO for employment visa applications. The attested and translated documents become part of your UAE employment file.
Attested marriage and birth certificates are submitted to GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs) or ICP for family visa sponsorship. Arabic translation is required for these submissions.
Healthcare professionals submit attested credentials to DHA, DOH, or MOH depending on emirate. Engineers submit to Society of Engineers. Architects, lawyers, and other regulated professions have their own licensing bodies that verify attestation.
Golden Visa applicants submit attested FBI background checks and educational credentials as part of their application package. The 10-year residency program has specific document requirements that we can help you understand and fulfill.
Understanding US Document Attestation
The United States presents unique challenges for document attestation due to its federal system. Unlike countries with centralized government document issuance, most US documents originate from state authorities rather than the federal government. This means your California degree, Texas birth certificate, or Florida marriage certificate each requires authentication from different state offices before federal authentication can proceed.
The State-Federal Authentication Chain
Most US documents follow this path: First, the document may need notarization if not already issued by a government office. Second, the Secretary of State (or equivalent) in the issuing state authenticates the notary or official signature. Third, the US Department of State in Washington DC applies the federal apostille. Only then can UAE Embassy and MOFA attestation proceed.
Each of the 50 states has different procedures, offices, and processing times. Some states offer same-day in-person service while others require weeks of mail-in processing. This variation significantly impacts total attestation timeline and requires familiarity with each state's system. Our experience with all 50 states allows us to provide accurate timelines and avoid common pitfalls.
Department of State Processing
After state authentication, documents go to the US Department of State Office of Authentications in Washington DC. This is the federal government office responsible for issuing apostilles—internationally recognized certificates confirming US government authentication. Standard processing currently takes 4-8 weeks due to high volumes and staffing constraints. Expedited service is available for 1-2 weeks at additional cost, which we recommend for time-sensitive applications.
The Department of State is often the bottleneck in US document attestation. While some states process in 1-2 days, the federal step adds weeks to the timeline. Planning ahead is essential, especially for employment visa deadlines or family visa sponsorship timelines.
Federal Documents: FBI Background Check
Some documents originate from federal agencies rather than state authorities. The FBI Identity History Summary (criminal background check) is the most common example for UAE visa applications, Golden Visa, and employment verification. These federal documents skip state authentication entirely and go directly to Department of State for apostille.
However, FBI reports have validity periods of typically 6 months from issue date. This creates timing challenges—you need the attestation completed and document submitted to UAE authorities before expiration. We coordinate the process to ensure your FBI check remains valid throughout attestation and final submission.
UAE is Not a Hague Convention Member
The United States is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, which simplifies document authentication between member countries. However, because the UAE is NOT a Hague member, US documents require additional steps after the apostille. The UAE Embassy legalization and MOFA attestation are still required—the apostille alone is not sufficient for UAE use.
What You Need to Provide
To begin the attestation process for your US document, send us:
Original Document
Original certificate, diploma, or vital record with all original signatures and seals. Photocopies generally cannot be attested unless certified as true copies by a notary.
Passport Copy
Clear copy of your passport for identity verification and UAE Embassy submission requirements.
Issuing State
The state where your document was issued (for degrees, the state where the university is located). This determines which Secretary of State office processes your authentication.
Purpose in UAE
Your intended use (employment visa, family visa, professional licensing, etc.) helps us ensure the attestation meets specific authority requirements.
Service Options
Standard Service
6-10 Weeks Total
Standard Department of State processing (4-8 weeks) with regular state authentication timing. Best for documents not needed urgently, allowing for cost-effective processing through the full chain.
Expedited Service
2-4 Weeks Total
Rush processing at Department of State (1-2 weeks expedited) plus priority handling at state level where available. Recommended for employment visa deadlines and time-sensitive applications.
Complete Package
Attestation + Translation
Full attestation chain plus MOJ-certified Arabic translation. The complete service for documents being submitted to UAE government authorities.
Processing time varies by state. Send your documents via WhatsApp for accurate timeline estimate based on current state processing times.
Common Questions by Document Type
For Employment Visa
Attested university degree is typically required by MOHRE for employment visa approval. Your employer's PRO will submit the attested and translated document. FBI check may also be required for certain positions or Golden Visa applications.
For Family Visa
Attested marriage certificate for spouse sponsorship, attested birth certificates for child dependents. Both documents require Arabic translation after attestation for GDRFA or ICP submission.
For Healthcare Licensing
Medical professionals need attested degrees plus additional verification through DataFlow or similar services. DHA licensing has specific attestation requirements we can guide you through.
For Business Setup
Attested corporate documents (Articles of Incorporation, Good Standing certificates) for company formation or branch office registration in UAE. Powers of Attorney for authorized signatories also require attestation.
Verified & Trusted
US Territories and Special Cases
Beyond the 50 states, we also handle documents from US territories and other special jurisdictions:
Puerto Rico
Has its own Department of State that handles authentication. Documents in Spanish may require translation before UAE use.
US Virgin Islands
Lieutenant Governor's office handles authentication. Processing may take longer due to smaller administrative capacity.
Guam & Pacific Territories
Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands have territorial equivalents. We coordinate with appropriate offices.
Washington DC (District of Columbia)
DC is not a state but has its own authentication office. Documents from Georgetown, George Washington, and other DC institutions process here.
Need US Document Attestation?
Send your US document via WhatsApp. We assess your document, identify the issuing state, provide accurate timeline, and coordinate the entire attestation chain from state authentication through MOFA.
Send Your DocumentFrequently Asked Questions
What is the attestation process for US documents?
US documents follow a 5-step chain. Notarization if needed, then Secretary of State authentication in the issuing state. Next is Department of State apostille in Washington DC, followed by UAE Embassy DC legalization. Finally, MOFA attestation in UAE completes the process. The entire chain typically takes 2-8 weeks depending on state processing times and service level selected.
Why do US documents need state-level authentication?
The US federal system means most documents are issued by state authorities rather than the federal government. Educational certificates come from state-licensed institutions, vital records from state registries, and corporate documents from state business registries. The Secretary of State authenticates that state-level officials are legitimate before federal authentication can proceed. This dual-level system is unique to the United States.
How long does US document attestation take?
Processing varies significantly by state. Fast states like Texas process in 1-3 days, Florida in 1-2 days, and New York offers same-day in-person service. Slow states like California take 2-4 weeks with mail-only processing. The Department of State adds 4-8 weeks standard or 1-2 weeks expedited. UAE Embassy and MOFA add 5-7 days. Total time ranges from 2-8 weeks depending on state and service level.
Is FBI background check attestation different?
Yes. FBI Identity History Summary checks are federal documents, so they skip state authentication entirely and go directly to Department of State for apostille. However, FBI reports have validity periods (typically 6 months from issue), so timing is critical. We coordinate the process to ensure your FBI check remains valid throughout attestation and submission to UAE authorities.
Which states have the fastest processing?
Texas (1-3 days), Florida (1-2 days), and New York (same-day in-person at Albany or NYC) are among the fastest for Secretary of State processing. Illinois and Pennsylvania also offer relatively quick turnaround. California is one of the slowest at 2-4 weeks with mail-only processing and no walk-in options. We factor state processing times into your timeline estimate.
Do I need to be in the US for attestation?
No. You can send your documents to us or our US partners from anywhere in the world. We coordinate Secretary of State authentication, Department of State apostille, UAE Embassy DC legalization, and arrange secure courier to Dubai for MOFA completion. The entire process can be managed remotely without requiring your presence in the United States.
What about documents from US territories?
Documents from Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Islands follow similar processes but may have different authentication offices. Puerto Rico has its own Secretary of State, while other territories have territorial equivalents. We handle documents from all US territories with knowledge of their specific procedures.
Is translation required after attestation?
Yes, for most UAE government submissions. US documents are in English, but UAE authorities typically require Arabic translation by an MOJ-certified translator. We provide combined attestation and translation services, completing the translation after attestation so all stamps and seals are referenced in the Arabic version.
What is the difference between Secretary of State and Department of State?
Each US state has a Secretary of State who handles state-level document authentication. This is different from the US Department of State (federal), which handles apostilles and international authentication. State documents must first be authenticated by the state Secretary of State, then sent to the federal Department of State for apostille before UAE Embassy processing.
Can I attest a photocopy of my US document?
Generally, no. UAE authorities require attestation of original documents. However, for certain documents like transcripts or degrees where you need to retain the original, a certified copy can sometimes be attested. The copy must be notarized as a true copy by a US notary, then proceed through the standard authentication chain. We advise on the best approach for your specific situation.
What if my document is from a state I no longer live in?
The document must be authenticated in the state that issued it, regardless of where you currently reside. A California degree must go through California Secretary of State even if you now live in Texas. We coordinate with offices in all 50 states, so your current location does not affect our ability to process your document.
How do I know if my US university is recognized for UAE purposes?
Your university should be accredited by a regional accreditation body recognized by the US Department of Education. For healthcare professionals, additional verification through DataFlow or similar services may be required. We can advise on whether your specific institution credentials will be accepted for your intended UAE purpose.
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