For certain countries an apostille does not suffice and documents have to be legalised instead. We can help you obtain superlegalised documents, whether for a marriage or a citizenship application.
Legalisation
Whether you plan to work or study in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), apply for temporary or permanent residence, or get married there, you will have to present legalised documents; without them the UAE authorities will not be able to complete your application. Superlegalisation adds an official endorsement to your original document, confirming that the seal and signature it bears are authentic for use in another contracting state. This is done by affixing a superlegalisation certificate, which is in practice a printed endorsement duly certified with the seal of the authority responsible for superlegalisation.
Apostille or legalisation?
Before you begin the legalisation process, find out whether an apostille might be sufficient. The apostille was introduced in 1961 under the Hague Convention (the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents). Its scope covers nearly every country in the world, including countries where you may also need superlegalisation. Full superlegalisation, however, requires endorsements from several foreign official bodies, and this is precisely the stage at which the process becomes lengthy and costly.
Legalisation forms
Your first task is to select the correct form. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates revise their applications and forms fairly frequently, so make sure you are using the most recent version.
A good command of a foreign language is also needed, because the authorities may reject your form even if just some of the details are filled in incorrectly.
Check when the document you intend to superlegalise was issued and how long it remains valid. As a rule, it should be no more than 3 years old, although in some cases it must have been issued within the last 6 months. This applies, for instance, to an extract from a register or a birth certificate; if the permitted period has passed, you will have to request a new original.
How many legalisation steps will you need?
An apostille involves just a single confirmation. Legalisation is more involved: each document needs at least two, and sometimes as many as four, endorsements or certificates confirming superlegalisation, issued for example by ministries or other state institutions. Each type of legalisation follows its own procedure.
How to legalise documents for the United Arab Emirates
Superlegalisation for the UAE is a demanding procedure that carries plenty of risks. Leave it to our experts, who will manage every stage for you. Our experience with superlegalising documents for the UAE means the process can run quickly and without complications.
Citizenship and temporary residence in the United Arab Emirates
For this you will need a birth certificate, a marriage certificate and a criminal record certificate.
Returning documents by post to Slovakia
Legalised documents can be sent back to Slovakia by post or through a courier company. All you need to do is enclose an envelope bearing the correct local postage and the recipient’s details filled in completely.
Alternatively, you can use a well-known courier such as UPS, DHL, Hermes or FedEx and pay for the return delivery in advance.
Getting married in the United Arab Emirates
Planning a wedding in the UAE? Make sure you arrange superlegalisation of your birth certificate and proof of citizenship well ahead of time, as this is the only route to a valid marriage recognised by the state.
Getting married in the United Arab Emirates
If you intend to marry in the UAE, plan early for superlegalising your birth certificate and proof of citizenship. Without this, your marriage cannot be valid or officially recognised.
Studying and working in the United Arab Emirates
Many people dream of experiencing the life and culture of the United Arab Emirates, which differ so greatly from life in Central Europe. Studying there, whether for a short or a long period, or pursuing law in this country is one way of making that dream a reality. Once again, we advise you to start the superlegalisation (or nostrification) of the certificates and diplomas needed for your studies or job while there is still time.
State and federal legalisation
The United Arab Emirates is one of those countries where a distinction is made between state and federal superlegalisation. The difference lies in whether the verification applies only within a single emirate as an autonomous territorial unit, which is state superlegalisation, or across the whole UAE, which is federal superlegalisation. You need to establish which applies before you start. These types of verification are used, for example, for birth certificates, criminal record certificates and academic documents such as diplomas. If you are unsure which option fits your situation, speak to specialists in handling these documents and you will save a great deal of time and money.
Payment
Bear in mind that administrative authorities abroad may refuse payment by bank transfer or card. In some places superlegalisation can only be paid for in cash, by cheque or with revenue stamps of a set value, in which case you will need cash in the local currency of the country where you pay. Our specialists are well placed to arrange the superlegalisation of your documents simply, quickly and with minimal commission.
Timeframe
Be prepared for the standard processing time to be fairly long, and remember that it depends on all of the steps above being carried out correctly and in full. Forms that are filled in wrongly or incompletely, or documents that are out of date, can cause frustrating delays and complications. If you lack the specialist knowledge or the language skills, we recommend asking our specialists for help to make the whole process simpler and quicker. They will take the necessary steps professionally and without unnecessary delay and hand over your legalised documents ready for use.
Nostrification
Which documents require nostrification, and what does the term actually mean? It refers to a certificate confirming that a foreign certificate, diploma or other proof of academic qualifications is recognised as valid.