How to Attest a Marriage Certificate for UAE Visa: A Complete Guide by Trueway International

Are you moving to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with your spouse? If so, one of the most critical legal steps is attesting your marriage certificate. Whether applying for a family visa, dependent visa, or residence permit, document attestation is mandatory.

At Trueway International, we specialize in making this process fast, accurate, and stress-free. We are proud to be India’s No.1 certificate attestation agency, with a nationwide presence across major cities including:

• 🏢 Kerala: Trivandrum, Kochi
• 🏢 Delhi
• 🏢 Bangalore
• 🏢 Chennai

With over 12 years of trust, government recognition, and a client-first approach, Trueway International is the preferred partner for individuals, families, and corporate clients needing certificate attestation for the UAE and other Gulf countries.

 What is Marriage Certificate Attestation?

Marriage certificate attestation is the legal validation of your marriage document issued in one country so it can be officially recognized in another. For the UAE, this involves verifying the document through several government departments and embassies, both in the country of origin and the UAE.

Who Needs It?

Anyone applying for a spouse visa, family sponsorship, or residence visa in the UAE will need to complete this process. It is a non-negotiable legal requirement.

 Why is Attestation Mandatory for UAE Visas?

UAE immigration laws demand certified proof of marriage before allowing any dependent visa approvals. Attestation prevents forgery, ensures legal recognition, and helps:

• Sponsor your spouse under a family visa
• Apply for a dependent visa for your children
• Register maternity benefits and medical insurance
• Enroll children in schools and nurseries
• Open joint bank accounts or sign tenancy contracts

❗ Without attestation, your visa application could be rejected, and you may lose eligibility for important benefits.

🧾 Step-by-Step Guide to Attesting a Marriage Certificate for UAE

Let Trueway simplify the entire process for you. Here’s how it works:

🔹 Step 1: Notary Attestation

Start by notarizing your original marriage certificate with a certified Notary Public in your home country. This verifies the basic authenticity of the document.

🔹 Step 2: State Home Department Attestation

Next, the certificate is sent to the State Home Department (e.g., in Kerala, Delhi, Karnataka, or Tamil Nadu) for regional verification. In some states, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) performs this role.

🔹 Step 3: MEA Attestation (Ministry of External Affairs – India)

Once approved at the state level, it goes to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for national-level authentication. This is a critical step before the UAE Embassy will accept the certificate.

🔹 Step 4: UAE Embassy Attestation (New Delhi or Mumbai)

The MEA-attested document is then legalized by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in India. This confirms its acceptance under UAE law.

🔹 Step 5: MOFA Attestation in the UAE

Once in the UAE, the final step is getting the document attested by MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). After this, your marriage certificate is fully valid for use in the UAE.

📝 Required Documents for Attestation

1. ✅ Original marriage certificate (in English or translated into Arabic)
2. ✅ Passport copies of both spouses
3. ✅ Passport-size photos (white background)
4. ✅ Emirates ID (if applicable)
5. ✅ UAE visa page copy
6. ✅ Authorization letter (if applying via agent)
7. ✅ Power of Attorney (if handled abroad)

🕒 Time & Cost Estimate

Step Duration Cost (Approx.)

Notary & Home Dept. 2–3 working days ₹500–₹1,000

MEA + UAE Embassy 3–5 working days ₹2,000–₹5,000

MOFA Attestation (UAE) 1–2 days AED 160–200

Total 8–15 days ₹4,000–₹10,000+

Express services are available at our branches in Kerala, Delhi, Bangalore, and Chennai.

Why Trueway International Is the #1 Attestation Agency in India

Trueway International is a pioneer in certificate attestation services, providing:

• 🥇 Trusted by 15,000+ clients globally
• 🇮🇳 India’s No.1 certificate attestation agency
• 🏢 Physical presence in Trivandrum, Kochi, Delhi, Bangalore & Chennai
• 📜 ISO-certified process with full legal compliance
• 🔐 100% confidentiality & secure document handling
• 🔍 Real-time document tracking system
• 📬 Doorstep pickup & delivery across India and UAE

Our multilingual staff and expert legal advisors make the complex easy — ensuring that your documents are error-free, on time, and MOFA-approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I attest my certificate without visiting your office?

Yes. With our doorstep pickup, we collect and deliver documents at your convenience.

Is attestation needed even if I'm already in the UAE?

Yes. If your spouse or family is joining you, attestation is still required for sponsorship purposes.

Are your services available in Kerala and South India?

Absolutely. We have physical offices in Trivandrum and Kochi to serve all of Kerala.

Is translation to Arabic necessary?

Yes, if your certificate is not in English or Arabic. We provide certified Arabic translation services as well.

Can I track my attestation process?

Yes. Our document tracking system keeps you updated at every step via SMS or email.

.

What is the purpose of attesting a marriage certificate for the UAE?

The purpose is to officially verify the authenticity of a foreign-issued marriage certificate so it becomes legally valid for use within the UAE. It is required for visa processing, healthcare access, spouse sponsorship, and civil transactions.

2. Is attestation required for both civil and religious marriage certificates?

Yes. Whether your marriage was registered in a civil court or under a religious authority (church, mosque, temple), the certificate must be legally registered and attested through the standard government channels.

3. Can I attest a scanned or photocopy of the marriage certificate?

No. Only original physical documents are accepted for attestation by government departments and embassies. Scanned or photocopies are not valid for attestation.

4. Do both spouses need to sign or be physically present for attestation?

No, the physical presence of both spouses is not required. However, passport copies of both are necessary, and a signed authorization letter may be required if submitted by a third party.

5. Is attestation required if the marriage happened in the UAE?

If the marriage was registered in the UAE through official channels (court or Sharia authority), no foreign attestation is needed. But if it occurred abroad, it must be attested.

6. Can I use the marriage certificate from another GCC country without attestation?

No. Even GCC-issued certificates (e.g., Saudi, Qatar) must be attested as per UAE regulations unless issued by UAE itself.

7. What happens if the marriage certificate is laminated?

Laminated documents are not accepted for attestation. You must provide an unlaminated original or a certified duplicate issued by the registry office.

8. How do I get a duplicate marriage certificate if the original is lost?

You must contact the Registrar of Marriages or relevant civil authority in your home country to obtain a certified copy. Only official duplicates will be accepted for attestation.

9. What if my marriage certificate is in a regional language?

It must be translated into English or Arabic by a government-approved legal translator. Trueway International can help you with certified Arabic translation services as part of the process.

10. Is embassy attestation and MOFA attestation the same thing?

No. Embassy attestation is done in your home country at the UAE Embassy or Consulate, while MOFA attestation is done inside the UAE by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

11. Can I complete attestation from within the UAE if the certificate is in India?

Yes. With a Power of Attorney, your family or Trueway’s local office can complete the attestation process on your behalf in India and courier it back to the UAE.

12. Is attestation required for a wife on a tourist visa converting to a dependent visa?

Yes. If the wife entered UAE on a tourist or visit visa and you're converting to a dependent visa, a fully attested marriage certificate is required.

13. How long is an attested marriage certificate valid for UAE use?

An attested marriage certificate has no expiration date, but some departments may request a certificate attested within the last 6 months for fresh applications.

14. What is the penalty for submitting an unauthenticated or fake marriage certificate?

Submitting forged or unauthenticated certificates is a criminal offense in the UAE, leading to visa rejection, fines, deportation, and potential ban from re-entry.

15. Can I attest both marriage and birth certificates together for UAE?

Yes. Trueway International offers combo attestation services for marriage, birth, degree, and other personal documents, often speeding up the process and reducing costs.

16. Do Indian NRI couples need to get marriage certificates attested for UAE?

Yes. All Indian expatriates must get their Indian marriage certificates attested through Notary, SDM/Home Dept., MEA, UAE Embassy, and MOFA UAE — regardless of NRI status.

17. Is a court-issued marriage certificate enough for UAE attestation?

Yes, as long as it is an officially registered document and not just a ceremonial proof. Religious-only documents are not valid unless registered with civil authorities.

18. Will UAE immigration accept an online digital marriage certificate?

Only if it comes from a recognized government portal (e.g., DigiLocker in India) and is backed by a physical copy that can be attested.

19. Can attestation be done urgently or same day?

Yes. Trueway offers express and premium attestation services where available, including same-day MOFA attestation and 2–5 day full processing (depending on document origin).

20. Does Trueway assist with apostille services for non-UAE countries?

Absolutely. We provide apostille and attestation services for 100+ countries, including Canada, Australia, UK, USA, and all GCC nations — not just UAE.

📞 Contact Trueway International Today

Let India’s most trusted attestation agency take care of your documentation needs.

• 🌍 Visit Our Website
• 📧 Email:
• 📱 Call/WhatsApp:
• 🏢 Offices in: Trivandrum, Kochi, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, and Dubai