Letter of Authorization Legalization for Use in the UAE

A Letter of Authorization is a formal document granting an individual or entity the legal authority to act on behalf of a company or organization in specific matters, such as financial transactions, business dealings, or administrative actions. When a U.S.-issued Letter of Authorization is intended for submission to authorities, banks, or corporate entities in the United Arab Emirates, it must be legalized to verify authenticity and ensure recognition under UAE regulations.

When This Document Is Required

Letters of Authorization may be required in the UAE for purposes such as:

• Granting an agent authority to act on behalf of a company
  
  

• Facilitating corporate banking transactions
  
  

• Supporting commercial agreements, contracts, or licensing applications
  
  

• Representing a company in regulatory or government matters
  
  

• Verifying authority for business or legal procedures
  
  

Legalization Process

The legalization process confirms the authenticity of the Letter of Authorization. Steps generally include:

1. Notarization (If Required)
   The letter or accompanying signatures must be notarized by a commissioned notary public. Wet ink signatures are required.
   
   

2. State Certification
   The notarized or original document is certified by the Secretary of State in the state of issuance, verifying authenticity.
   
   

3. U.S. Department of State Authentication (Optional)
   Federal authentication may be requested for additional verification, though state certification is generally sufficient for corporate purposes.
   
   

4. UAE Embassy Legalization
   The certified Letter of Authorization is submitted to the UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C., where it is legalized for official use in the UAE.
   
   

5. Final Attestation in the UAE (If Required)
   Certain UAE authorities may request additional attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs for full recognition.
   
   

Why Legalization Is Necessary

Legalization ensures that a Letter of Authorization:

• Is officially recognized by UAE authorities, banks, and corporate entities
  
  

• Confirms the legal authority of the designated individual or entity
  
  

• Verifies signatures and authenticity of the issuing company
  
  

• Is legally enforceable for commercial, regulatory, and banking purposes in the UAE
  
  

Without proper legalization, a Letter of Authorization may not be accepted for corporate transactions, legal representation, or regulatory compliance in the UAE.

Processing Time

Processing times vary depending on notarization requirements, state certification procedures, embassy workload, and whether federal authentication is requested. Standard and expedited options are typically available.

How We Assist

The UAE Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. facilitates the complete legalization process for Letters of Authorization, including:

• Reviewing the letter for proper execution and notarization
  
  

• 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 Letters of Authorization meet all regulatory requirements for acceptance in the UAE.

FAQs

When is a Letter of Authorization required in the UAE?
It is typically required for granting authority to act on behalf of a company for banking, commercial, or legal matters.

Does this document require notarization?
Yes, notarization of signatures is generally required. Wet ink signatures are mandatory.

Is U.S. Department of State authentication necessary?
Federal authentication is optional but may be requested for additional verification.

Who legalizes the document in the United States?
The UAE Embassy in Washington, D.C. handles legalization after state certification and optional federal authentication.