Moving to the United Arab Emirates with your spouse? If your marriage certificate was issued in Canada, it must be attested before the UAE will recognize it. Without proper attestation, you won’t be able to sponsor your spouse’s residence visa, apply for dependent benefits, open a joint bank account, enroll children in school, or complete other essential legal processes in the UAE.
Marriage certificate attestation is an official process that confirms that your Canadian marriage certificate is authentic and will be accepted legally in the UAE. The steps include Global Affairs Canada (GAC) authenticating the document, the UAE Embassy in Ottawa legalizing the document, and finally, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attesting once the document is received in UAE. Every step demonstrates the legality of the document to be used officially.
This guide breaks down the entire process clearly and accurately so you know what to expect, what documents to prepare, how long it takes, and what mistakes to avoid. If you’re looking for a reliable, step-by-step explanation for attesting a Canadian marriage certificate for use in the UAE, you’re in the right place.
Check out our UAE Embassy Attestation page for more details and support to get you across the finish line.
Need help with document apostille/legalization/authentication/attestation — and/or criminal record check in Canada? Contact us via our form, call us at +1-613-501-0555 (WhatsApp available) or +1-800-857-1215 (toll-free), fax us via 1-844-786-2001, or text us at [email protected].
What Is Marriage Certificate Attestation?
Marriage certificate attestation involves ensuring that the marriage certificate you have received is an authentic, government-issued document, typically an original or a certified true copy and can be used in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It incorporates several procedures, such as the stamps and reviews of the document by the Canadian and UAE authorities, to certify its authenticity. Once attested, your certificate becomes legally recognized by UAE government departments and institutions.
This process is required because foreign documents, including marriage certificates, aren’t automatically accepted in the UAE. Attestation ensures that your certificate can be used for official purposes like applying for a spouse visa, sponsoring dependents, opening joint bank accounts, enrolling children in school, securing health insurance, and signing tenancy contracts. Without attestation, your marriage certificate will not be accepted in any legal or administrative process in the UAE.
Why Attestation Is Mandatory in the United Arab Emirates
In the UAE, attestation is a legal requirement for all foreign-issued documents, including Canadian marriage certificates. The UAE government must confirm that your certificate is authentic, issued adequately by Canadian authorities, and suitable for use in official procedures. Without attestation, your marriage certificate will not be accepted by any UAE ministry, court, or institution.
This process is mandatory because the UAE does not automatically recognize documents from other countries. Attestation ensures that your certificate can be legally used for important matters such as sponsoring a spouse for a residence visa, applying for dependent benefits, opening joint bank accounts, enrolling children in school, or handling legal and medical paperwork. It protects both the individual and the government by confirming the authenticity of a document.
Who Needs Marriage Certificate Attestation for UAE?
Marriage certificate attestation is required for Canadian nationals and residents who plan to use their marriage certificate for official purposes in the UAE. This includes foreign nationals relocating to the UAE with their spouse, as the attested certificate is necessary to apply for a dependent or family residence visa. Without it, the UAE government will not process visa applications that involve proof of marital status.
UAE residents who want to sponsor their spouse must also provide an attested marriage certificate to complete the sponsorship process. In addition, professionals applying for family visas, health insurance coverage, or dependent benefits must submit this document to verify their legal relationship. The attestation ensures that the certificate is officially recognized by UAE authorities and can be used in legal, medical, and administrative procedures.
Documents Required for Marriage Certificate Attestation
To have your Canadian marriage certificate legally attested for use in the UAE, you must submit the original or a certified true copy issued by the provincial or territorial Vital Statistics office. The certificate must be unlaminated, undamaged, and clearly legible. If the document is in a language other than English or French, a certified Arabic translation may be required alongside the original—especially for use with UAE authorities.
In addition to the marriage certificate, the following supporting documents are typically required:
- Passport copies of both spouses (valid and clearly scanned)
- UAE residence visa copy (if one or both spouses already reside in the UAE)
- Authorization letter (if using an attestation agency or third party)
- Cover letter required by Global Affairs Canada and any forms or supporting documents requested by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in Ottawa
Step-by-Step Marriage Certificate Attestation Process
The process of attesting a Canadian marriage certificate in the UAE consists of several steps. Every phase attests to the authenticity and legal validity of the document as it is recognized in the United Arab Emirates to be used for official purposes, including visas, rent agreements, and school admission.
Step 1: Notarization (If Applicable)
Notarization is not always required for marriage certificates issued by provincial Vital Statistics offices. However, if you’re using a certified true copy instead of the original, some provinces or service providers may ask that it be notarized by a licensed notary public in Canada. This step confirms the copy is an accurate representation of the original.
Step 2: Authentication by Provincial Authority
In other provinces, the certificate requires authentication at the provincial level before it can be submitted to Global Affairs Canada. This is mainly accomplished by the provincial authentication office which checks the signature of the notary or the seal of the issuing authority. Although some provinces do not need that, consult your local office to make sure.
Step 3: Authentication by Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa must authenticate the marriage certificate or notarized copy. GAC verifies the seal and signature on the document and confirms that a recognized Canadian authority issued it. This step is mandatory for all Canadian documents being used in the UAE.
Step 4: Legalization by the UAE Embassy in Ottawa
Once Global Affairs Canada authenticates the certificate, it must be sent to the UAE Embassy in Ottawa. The embassy will review the document and place an official stamp confirming it is acceptable for legal use in the UAE.
Step 5: Final Attestation by UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAIC)
After the document arrives in the UAE, it must receive a final document attestation from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC). This step makes the certificate fully recognized and legally valid for all government and private sector procedures in the UAE.
Common Mistakes to Avoid During Canadian Document Attestation Process
Submitting a laminated or damaged marriage certificate is one of the most frequent reasons for rejection during the attestation process. Laminated documents cannot be stamped or sealed by Global Affairs Canada or the UAE Embassy, making them ineligible for attestation. Certificates that are torn, altered, or difficult to read may also be refused. To avoid this, always use the original or a certified true copy issued by a Canadian Vital Statistics office in good condition.
Another significant issue is missing stamps or signatures from earlier steps in the process. Each authority involved—whether a provincial authentication office (if applicable), Global Affairs Canada, or the UAE Embassy—must properly verify and stamp the document. If even one required seal or signature is skipped, the document will be considered incomplete and will not be accepted by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Errors in the paperwork can also cause delays or rejections. These errors may include:
- Incomplete application forms
- Incorrect personal details or document information
- Missing identification documents
- Lack of a required cover letter or attachments
Every attestation procedure can be associated with a particular set of documentation, such as forms, copies of identification, and supporting letters. Inaccurate or incomplete information may interfere with the process. That’s why following the most up-to-date guidelines from both Global Affairs Canada and the UAE Embassy is essential to ensure all requirements are properly met.
If you’re uncertain about navigating the attestation process on your own, professional guidance can make all the difference. Our team has extensive experience with document authentication and legalization through the UAE Embassy in Ottawa. We’ve assisted thousands of Canadians in preparing their documents for official use in the UAE and are available to support you at each step. To learn more, please visit our UAE Embassy Attestation page.
Do You Need Assistance Authenticating Documents Issued in Canada? The Legalization Service Center Can Assist!
The Legalization Service Centre supports at every stage of the process for those seeking apostille, authentications, and attestation services for documents in Canada. We optimize the process to guarantee the accurate authentication of your documents for international purposes.
Need help with document apostille/legalization/authentication/attestation — and/or criminal record check in Canada? Contact us via our form, call us at +1-613-501-0555 (WhatsApp available) or +1-800-857-1215 (toll-free), fax us via 1-844-786-2001, or text us at [email protected].