How to Attest a Marriage Certificate for Family Visa in Sharjah?

Imagine your family visa application is nearly completed, but just a single marriage certificate stops the process completely. Quite annoying, but a very common problem, right? Getting your marriage certificate attested is one of the most significant steps in getting the family visa in Sharjah, and knowing the whole process will help avoid weeks of delays. Continue reading this guide to know how it all works.

Understand the Process of Certificate Attestation

Certificate attestation is the formal verification process of the authenticity of a document with the help of certain institutions, which gives unequivocal confirmation of it being legal and received in accordance with the laws of the issuing state. The document without attestation is worthless for the purposes of receiving a visa to the UAE.

Why Do the Authorities in Sharjah Treat the Issue with Such Seriousness?

Family visa applications require convincing proof of the legitimacy of the marriage. Since each marriage certificate is issued according to the laws of a particular country, various countries have various requirements for their marriage certificates, which makes attestation the only reliable proof.

The Step-by-Step Attestation Journey

Process of Obtaining the Document in the Country of Issuance

The process of attestation begins where the certificate is issued. This involves checks done by the local or state authorities along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country, which confirms the authenticity of the certificate before the document can be attested internationally.

Involvement of UAE Embassy

Once the foreign ministry of the country completes the verification of the certificate, it goes to the United Arab Emirates embassy/consulate in the country of issuance. This ensures that the document has been processed and verified through the recognized legal channels of the UAE.

UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs Check

After the document goes through embassy attestation outside the UAE, it needs to be cleared by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) once it reaches the UAE. This ensures the proper acceptance of the certificate for all government-related purposes in the country.

Completing the Process Through MOJ Attestation

For attestation of marriage certificates, an extra step of MOJ attestation is usually performed by the Ministry of Justice in the UAE. This step is necessary to confirm the legal status of the certificate concerning family functions, including visa sponsorship applications.

Documents You May Need As You Go

By compiling all the necessary paperwork beforehand, you can minimize the amount of back-and-forth faced. Most individuals will need the following items:

●      The original marriage certificate with a photocopy

●      Passport copies of both partners

●      Emirates ID copies of both partners if they are already in the UAE

●      An authorisation letter in the case of using a typing or attestation company

Common Roadblocks Applicants Run Into

Certificates Not Issued in a Global Language

Certificates that are not in English or Arabic usually need certified translation before they can be accepted for attestation. Ignoring this results in several unsuccessful attempts. A wise idea is to ensure the language requirements are met from the start.

Expired/Mismatched Documents

Problems arise when the passport details do not comply with the certificate, or there are documents close to expiration. Consequently, it is required to ensure that names, dates, and spellings match in all the documents to avoid problems that could easily be overlooked.

Why Working With Attestation Specialists Makes Sense

Understanding the Regulations in Different Countries

Attestation requirements can vary based on the country of origin of the document. For example, an Australian certificate attestation in Sharjah has a unique process involving the various authorities in Australia before reaching the UAE, and experts with a good understanding of the various processes make it simpler for applicants.

Accelerating the Process

As the attestation agency does these processes on a daily basis, they have direct contact with the authorities, and this experience accounts for shortened processing time when compared to applicants who have to navigate through the unknown government agency on their own.

The bottom line

Attesting a marriage certificate may seem like a complicated process, but it can be simplified through the right steps. The various processes involved are designed to help you ensure that your family visa is granted.

FAQs

How long does the entire process of attestation take?

The length varies from country to country, but the complete attestation process can take anywhere from several days to several weeks depending on the speed of processing of each governing body.

Is it possible to conduct the attestation without using the agency services?

Yes, applicants can conduct the attestation process on their own, although it means being present in numerous government institutions, which may lengthen the waiting period.

Does the attested certificate have a limited term of validity?

Generally, no. But some authorities demand the attested certificates be recent; thus, it is always good to check current visa requirements prior to applying for a visa.

What would happen if my marriage certificate has spelling mistakes?

Any mismatch between the certificate and the passport data may lead to refusal, so it is better to rectify the mistake at the institution that issued it before applying for attestation.

Is attestation important if I already have a residence visa in UAE?

Yes, attestation is needed for the purpose of sponsoring family members despite your own visa, since it verifies the marriage relationship for visa purposes.