Belgium Documents Attestation Services For UAE

If you are a Belgian national planning to live, work, or study in the United Arab Emirates, you will need to get your official documents, like a birth certificate, legally attested. Attestation is a process that verifies the authenticity of a document, making it legally valid for use in the UAE. This is a mandatory requirement for various official purposes, including:

• Applying for a UAE Residence Visa for your child or spouse.
• Enrolling a child in a school in the UAE.
• Certain legal and personal affairs.
• Immigration and residency processes.

Documents You Will Need

The process is straightforward in terms of documentation. Make sure you have the following ready:

• Original Birth Certificate: The document must be the original copy. Photocopies or laminated certificates are generally not accepted.
• Passport Copy: A clear copy of the passport of the person named on the birth certificate.

The 4-Step Attestation Process

1. Legalization at FPS Foreign Affairs in Belgium: The first step is to get your birth certificate legalized by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs). Since Belgium is a member of the Hague Convention, the Ministry will issue an Apostille. This is the initial verification that happens in the document’s home country.
2. Attestation at the UAE Embassy in Brussels: After the Apostille, the document must be taken to the UAE Embassy in Brussels. The embassy will verify the Apostille from the Belgian Foreign Ministry and apply its own stamp of attestation. This step is crucial because the UAE is not a member of the Hague Convention and therefore does not accept the Apostille alone.
3. Attestation at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA): Once the document arrives in the UAE with the UAE Embassy’s stamp from Brussels, it must undergo a final attestation. This is done by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). MOFA applies its final stamp, which makes the birth certificate legally recognized and valid for use anywhere in the UAE.
4. Process Complete: After the MOFA stamp, your Belgian birth certificate is fully attested and ready for official submission within the UAE.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

My certificate has an Apostille from Belgium. Is that enough for the UAE? No. The UAE is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention. While the Apostille from the Belgian FPS Foreign Affairs is the required first step, it is not sufficient on its own. You must complete the full attestation process, including stamps from the UAE Embassy in Brussels and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). How long does the attestation process take? The total time can vary. Typically, the legalization at the UAE Embassy in Brussels takes about 2–5 working days. The entire end-to-end process, including international shipping and MOFA attestation in the UAE, can take anywhere from 10 to 20 business days, depending on various factors. How much does it cost? Costs are incurred at each stage of the process. This includes fees for the Belgian Foreign Ministry, the UAE Embassy in Brussels, and the final MOFA attestation in the UAE (which is approximately AED 150 for personal documents). Additional costs will include any service fees if you use an attestation agency and courier charges.

Attesting your Belgian marriage certificate for use in the UAE is a mandatory three-step process. It starts with getting an Apostille from the Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs in Belgium. Next, the document must be attested by the UAE Embassy in Brussels. The final step is to get it stamped by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) after it arrives in the Emirates. This complete process is required for sponsoring a spouse’s visa, legal procedures, and other official purposes in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Why is Marriage Certificate Attestation Required in the UAE?

Attestation is the process of certifying a document’s authenticity so it is legally recognized by the UAE government. This validation is crucial to prevent fraud and is required for several key reasons:

• Sponsoring a Spouse’s Residence Visa: This is the most common reason. An attested marriage certificate is a primary requirement to sponsor your husband or wife.
• Adding a Spouse to Health Insurance: Most insurance providers will ask for an attested certificate.
• Renting a Home Together: Required by some landlords and for tenancy contracts (Ejari).
• Opening a Joint Bank Account
• Legal and Governmental Procedures: For various official services and legal proceedings within the UAE.

What Documents Are Needed for Attestation?

The process requires minimal paperwork, but having the correct documents is essential to avoid delays.

• Original Marriage Certificate: The official certificate issued by the Belgian municipality. It must be the original marriage certificate. Photocopies or laminated documents will be rejected.
• Passport Copies of Both Spouses: A clear copy of the passport for both you and your spouse.

What is the Belgian Marriage Certificate Attestation Process for the UAE?

To get your Belgian marriage certificate legally recognized in the UAE, you must complete four mandatory steps in the correct order. The process starts in Belgium and concludes in the UAE:

1. Step 1: Notary Public Attestation in Belgium The very first step is to have your marriage certificate attested by a registered Notary Public in Belgium. The Notary Public verifies that your marriage certificate is an authentic document at the most fundamental level, preparing it for the higher stages of legalization.
2. Step 2: Legalization at the FPS Foreign Affairs in Belgium Once notarized, the certificate must be submitted to the Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs in Belgium for legalization. The FPS Foreign Affairs verifies the notary’s signature and seal and then attaches an Apostille.
3. Step 3: Attestation at the UAE Embassy in Brussels Once the Apostille is attached, the certificate must be sent to the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Brussels. The UAE Embassy verifies the authenticity of the Apostille from the Belgian FPS Foreign Affairs. They then affix their own official stamp and signature, which confirms the document is legitimate for use in the UAE.
4. Step 4: Final Attestation at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) After your marriage certificate arrives in the UAE with the embassy’s stamp, it requires one final verification from the local authorities. You must submit the document to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), which has service centers across the UAE, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. MOFA verifies the stamp from the UAE Embassy in Brussels and applies its final attestation sticker or stamp.

After the MOFA stamp, your Belgian marriage certificate is officially recognized and legally valid for use anywhere in the United Arab Emirates.

Belgium Degree / Education Documents Attestation (for employment/education)

Attesting your Belgian degree or diploma for the UAE is a mandatory process. It begins with verification by your educational institution, followed by legalization from the competent Belgian Community (Flemish or Wallonia-Brussels). Next, it requires an Apostille from the Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs in Belgium, then an attestation from the UAE Embassy in Brussels. The final step is a stamp from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the Emirates. This full legalization is essential for work visas, job applications, and higher education in the UAE.

Why Attest Your Belgian Educational Certificate in the UAE?

Attestation is the process of verifying your degree or diploma’s authenticity, making it legally recognized by the UAE government. This validation is essential for professional and academic purposes and is required for several key reasons:

• Applying for a UAE Residence & Work Visa: A primary requirement for most professional job roles.
• Job Applications: Employers require attested degrees to validate your qualifications.
• Professional Registrations: Mandatory for licensed professionals like doctors, engineers, and lawyers to practice in the UAE.
• Pursuing Higher Education: Required for admission into UAE-based universities.
• Certificate Equivalency: Necessary for getting your degree recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education.

What Documents Are Needed for Attestation?

To ensure a smooth process, you will need the following documents:

• Original Degree/Diploma Certificate: The original document issued by your Belgian university or institution. Laminated copies will be rejected.
• Passport Copy of the Certificate Holder: A clear copy of your passport.
• Transcript/Mark Sheet (Optional but Recommended): Some employers or institutions may require this to be attested as well.

What is the Belgian Educational Certificate Attestation Process for the UAE?

To get your Belgian degree or diploma legally recognized in the UAE, you must complete these five mandatory steps in the correct order.

1. Step 1: Signature by the Educational Institution Before any government legalization, your diploma or certificate must be signed or verified by the issuing educational institution. The university or school confirms the document is authentic. This is the foundational step that allows for further legalization.
2. Step 2: Legalization by the Competent Community This is a critical step for educational documents. Your certificate must be legalized by the relevant Belgian Community based on the language of your institution.
   • Flemish Community: Submit your document for legalization here: Vlaanderen.be
   • Federation of Wallonia and Brussels: Submit your document here: Enseignement.be
3. Step 3: Legalization at the FPS Foreign Affairs in Belgium Once legalized by the Community, the certificate must be sent to the Federal Public Service (FPS) Foreign Affairs in Belgium. The FPS verifies the signature from the Community and attaches an Apostille. This is a standard international certification.
4. Step 4: Attestation at the UAE Embassy in Brussels With the Apostille attached, the certificate is ready for the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Brussels. The UAE Embassy verifies the Apostille and adds its own official stamp, certifying the document for use specifically in the UAE.
5. Step 5: Final Attestation at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) After your degree arrives in the UAE, it requires a final stamp from the local authorities. You submit the document to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). MOFA verifies the UAE Embassy’s stamp and applies its final attestation.

After the MOFA stamp, your Belgian educational certificate is officially recognized and legally valid for all professional and academic use across the UAE.