If you got married outside the UAE and want to sponsor your spouse for a UAE residence visa, you’ll almost always need an attested marriage certificate. Attestation is how the UAE confirms that a foreign document is genuine. It is done in a fixed order: first in the country where you married, then by the UAE Embassy there, and finally by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
This guide covers when you need it, each step in the right order, the official MoFA fees, and the mistakes that most often lead to rejections.
When do you need marriage certificate attestation?
- Family residence visa: sponsoring your wife or husband to live in the UAE.
- Children’s documents: birth registration and sponsorship can rely on proof that the parents are married.
- Employer benefits: some companies need proof of marriage before adding a spouse to family medical insurance or allowances.
- Legal and court matters in the UAE, such as family cases or inheritance.
Tip: attest your marriage certificate before you move, if you can. The home-country steps are much easier while you’re still there.
Step by step: attesting a marriage certificate issued abroad
- Prepare the original certificate. It must be clear and complete, with readable stamps and signatures, and not laminated. MoFA rejects laminated documents.
- Complete the local steps in your home country. Depending on the country, this may include a notary or the authority that registered the marriage.
- Get it attested by your home country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. MoFA requires this before the UAE steps.
- Get it attested by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in the country where the marriage was registered. Each mission may have its own procedure, and some work through local service providers.
- Get it attested by MoFA in the UAE through the MoFA website or the UAE MOFA app, signing in with UAE PASS.
- Get a legal translation if needed. MoFA accepts documents in Arabic or English, or with an official translation. Some authorities may also ask for an Arabic translation.
Check first: some UAE missions abroad now issue the legalisation electronically, with MoFA attestation already included. If yours did, you may not need a separate MoFA step in the UAE.
Official MoFA fees
| Item | MoFA fee |
|---|---|
| Marriage certificate (personal document) | AED 150 |
| MoFA courier inside the UAE: normal (3 working days) | AED 40 |
| MoFA courier inside the UAE: express (1 working day) | AED 150 + VAT |
Home-country fees (notary, foreign ministry, UAE embassy), translation and service charges are separate and vary by country. Courier fees are not refundable.
Documents to keep ready
- The original marriage certificate (not laminated).
- Passport copies of both spouses. Embassies and service providers often ask for these.
- Your Emirates ID and UAE PASS for the MoFA application.
- A legal translation if the certificate is not in Arabic or English.
Common reasons for rejection or delay
- Laminated certificates. They cannot be attested.
- Steps done in the wrong order. The home-country foreign ministry and UAE embassy stamps must come before MoFA in the UAE.
- Name spellings that don’t match between the certificate, passports and visa application.
- Unclear stamps or a damaged original.
- No translation for a certificate that isn’t in Arabic or English.
How long does it take?
The UAE MoFA step is quick once the earlier stamps are in place: apply online, then courier delivery in about one to three working days. The home-country and embassy steps usually take the longest and vary a lot by country, so start early if a visa application depends on it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to travel to my home country to attest my marriage certificate?
Often not. The home-country steps can usually be done through an authorised representative or attestation service there, and the UAE steps are online. Requirements vary by country, so check before sending originals.
Can MoFA attest a laminated marriage certificate?
No. MoFA does not attest laminated documents. Ask the issuing authority for a new certified copy.
How much does MoFA charge to attest a marriage certificate?
AED 150 per document, plus courier if you choose delivery. Fees in your home country are separate.
Does the certificate need to be translated?
Only if it isn’t in Arabic or English. Then it needs an official legal translation.
Get your marriage certificate attested without the hassle
Bin Gohar PRO Services coordinates marriage certificate attestation, legal translation and the family visa paperwork that follows, for clients in Dubai and across all seven Emirates. Send us a photo of your certificate on WhatsApp at +971 50 178 9163 and we’ll tell you which steps it needs, the cost and the timeline. You can also see our document clearance services.
Also useful: UAE Document Attestation: Step-by-Step Guide and Legal Translation in the UAE.
Sources: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — FAQs (attestation requirements and fees); Khaleej Times — Attested marriage certificate for family visas.
This guide gives general information. Requirements differ by country and can change, so check with MoFA or the UAE mission before you start.
