Considering Options: Exploring Alternatives to UAE Embassy Attestation with Their Pros and Cons

In the United Arab Emirates or UAE is mandatory that some documents be authenticated by the UAE embassy for use in the country. But this process may take a longer duration than expected, or even badly cost out. Let us look at some of the UAE embassy attestation substitutes that people can use and their disadvantages.

Alternative 1: Notarization

Another option which UAE embassy attestation is the notarized documents. A notary public is an official who is legally permitted to confirm that such or such a document is genuine, and this involves notary’s signature and seal. This alternative has certain advantages:

Convenience: The notary services can be done at an office of a notary public and therefore it produces convenience to people who wish to avoid going through the UAE embassy attestation process.

Speed: Actually, Notary services are much faster than the UAE Embassy Attestation services, and this means that anyone who wants his or her documents attested can access the Notary services.

Cost: The charges of notarization are relatively cheaper than charges of UAE Embassy Attestation.

However, there are some drawbacks that need to be mentioned, notarised documents will not be accepted in many places to which UAE embassy attestation is mandatory. Moreover, such notarized documents can be less authentic than documents that were attested by the embassy.

Alternative 2: Apostille

The second and slightly less known way is to request Apostille certificate. An Apostille is a certification which confirms the legitimacy of a document to be used in a country other than the one of issue. Obtaining an Apostille certificate involves the following:

Legalization: First, the document is legalized by the appropriate authority of the home country.

Apostille: This document is then apostilled by a national Apostille for the country of issue of the certification.

Recognition: The document is then legalized as any document executed in any country which is a signatory to the Apostille convention.

The benefits of obtaining an Apostille certificate include:

Wide Acceptance: Paperwork with an Apostille is as a rule, perceived in countries that have signed the Apostille treaty, which incorporates the UAE.

International Recognition: Apostille certificate is accepted by other international organizations and governments so those who wish to use their documents overseas can use it.

However, applicant should note that there are instances where they may need to acquire an Apostille certificate, and it is not always that easy to get one, and not all documents may be eligible for Apostille certification. Besides, not all nations accept document use when it is accompanied by an Apostille certificate, so UAE embassy attestation remains relevant in some ways.

Alternative 3: Consular Legalization

When registering for UAE embassy attestation, people may turn to consular legalization as another option. As a variant of it is to get the necessary documents from the embassy of the home country in the UAE. 

Legalization: What the home country’s embassy in the UAE will do is stamp and sign it to make it valid.

Embassy Seal: It means that the embassy will put its chop on the legalized document.

The benefits of consular legalization include:

Authenticity: If a document is notarized and legalized in the home country of the embassy in UAE, it is legitimate to be accepted in the UAE courts.

Official Recognition: In this case, the embassy seal affirms the legal authenticity of the results on the document.

However, before contracting services, sometimes, consular legalization may take much time and money. In addition, the embassy may need more documents and charges, it may take several weeks. Also, many countries do not have an embassy in the UAE and, therefore, individuals cannot access the consular legalization of their documents.

UAE Embassy Attestation can sometimes be cumbersome and costly. However, individuals have other choices to make, that include, getting notary, Apostille certificate and consular authentication. Some of the benefits that each of these alternatives will bring will be discussed below, and it is important for people to consider what kind of services they require before deciding.