Articles of Incorporation Legalization for Use in the UAE

Articles of Incorporation may be required in the UAE for purposes including:

• Registering a new company or branch in the UAE
  
  

• Opening corporate bank accounts
  
  

• Obtaining business licenses or permits
  
  

• Verifying corporate structure and shareholder information
  
  

• Supporting commercial contracts or agreements
  
  

• Establishing legal recognition of the corporation for governmental or regulatory purposes
  
  

Legalization Process

The legalization process confirms the authenticity of the Articles of Incorporation and the authority of the officials who signed or filed the document. The steps typically include:

1. Notarization (If Applicable)
   Depending on state requirements, certain pages or amendments may require notarization to confirm signatures.
   
   

2. State Certification
   The Articles are certified by the Secretary of State in the jurisdiction where the corporation was formed, verifying the document’s legitimacy.
   
   

3. U.S. Department of State Authentication (Optional)
   While corporate documents are generally accepted after state certification, applicants may request federal authentication for added verification.
   
   

4. UAE Embassy Legalization
   The document is submitted to the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C., where its authenticity is confirmed for use in the UAE.
   
   

5. Final Attestation in the UAE (If Required)
   Certain UAE institutions may require additional attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs for official acceptance.
   
   

Why Legalization Is Necessary

Legalization ensures that the Articles of Incorporation:

• Are officially recognized by UAE authorities, banks, and regulatory bodies
  
  

• Confirm the corporation’s existence, structure, and authority to operate
  
  

• Prevent fraud and verify the authenticity of the document and signatures
  
  

• Are legally enforceable in commercial, banking, and governmental matters in the UAE
  
  

Without legalization, the Articles may not be accepted for corporate registration, licensing, or banking purposes.

Processing Time

Processing time depends on the certification procedures of the state where the corporation is registered, embassy workload, and whether federal authentication is requested. Both standard and expedited handling options are available depending on applicant needs.

How We Assist

The UAE Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. facilitates the complete legalization of Articles of Incorporation, including:

• Verifying document formatting and required notarizations
  
  

• Coordinating state-level certification
  
  

• Managing optional U.S. Department of State authentication
  
  

• Submitting the document to the UAE Embassy for legalization
  
  

• Providing secure handling and courier support throughout the process
  
  

Our role is to ensure that the Articles of Incorporation meet all regulatory requirements for official acceptance in the UAE.

FAQs

When is an Articles of Incorporation required in the UAE?
It is typically required for company registration, banking applications, business licensing, or verification of corporate structure.

Does this document require notarization?
Notarization is only required if mandated by the state or for certain amendments. Otherwise, state certification is sufficient.

Is U.S. Department of State authentication necessary?
Generally, Articles of Incorporation are accepted with state certification and UAE Embassy legalization. Federal authentication is optional.

Who legalizes the document in the United States?
The UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C. handles legalization for use in the UAE.