If you need to use U.S. personal documents (birth certificate, marriage certificate, affidavits, etc.) in the UAE, you must follow a multi-step legalization / attestation process. Since the UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, documents must be authenticated and legalized. The UAE Embassy in Washington, DC now uses VFS Global as a service partner for handling certain attestations.
Below is a breakdown of the steps and what you can expect in terms of timeline.
Step-by-Step Process & Time Estimates
| Step | What Happens | Typical Timeframe* |
|---|---|---|
| 1. State-Level Certification / Notarization | If your document was issued by a U.S. state (e.g. birth/marriage/death certificate, notarized affidavit), first get it certified by the Secretary of State (or equivalent) of the issuing state. | ~1 week (standard) |
| 2. U.S. Department of State Authentication | After state certification, the document is authenticated at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. | ~10-12 business days |
| 3. Submission to VFS Global / UAE Embassy for Legalization | The authenticated document is routed to VFS Global for processing and final legalization by the UAE Embassy (or consular section). | ~7 to 10 business days for the embassy step itself |
* These are best-case or typical estimates. Delays can occur (backlogs, missing requirements, holidays, corrections needed, etc.).
Putting it all together, a full process often takes 3 to 6 weeks (sometimes longer) from start to finish.
Some providers estimate even longer—6 to 10 weeks—depending on document type or embassy backlog.
What “VFS Global” Means in This Context
- As of August 21, the UAE Embassy’s attestation of personal and educational documents is handled through VFS Global.
- VFS acts as the interface for accepting, processing, and forwarding documents to the embassy.
- The applicant must still follow the earlier steps (state certification, U.S. Department of State) before handing over documents to VFS.
In a VFS FAQ, they state that attestation processing takes 15 working days (depending on volume) — that likely refers to the processing through VFS + embassy combined.
Because of the multiple authorities involved, each with its own workload, it’s wise to budget extra time.
Tips to Speed Up or Avoid Delays
- Check all document requirements carefully. Missing pages, incorrect seals, or missing translations can lead to rejections or extra rounds.
- Use a service or courier if possible. Some firms specialize in document legalization and may help reduce mailing delays or mistakes.
- Avoid peak times and holidays. Embassy closures, national holidays, or surges in requests slow down the process.
- Track your documents. Use traceable courier or registered mail and follow up with VFS or the embassy.
- Confirm turnaround expectations with VFS when you submit. The estimate they give may vary depending on their current queue.
UAE Embassy in Washington, DC — Contact Details
Here are key contact details for the UAE Embassy in Washington, DC and related offices:
Embassy of the United Arab Emirates – Washington, D.C.
Address: 3522 International Court NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 243-2400
Fax: (202) 243-2408
Consular / Legalization Inquiries: (202) 243-2416 or (202) 243-2460
Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (Eastern)
VFS Global (for UAE attestation in DC)
Address: 1025 Vermont Ave NW, Floor 2, Washington, DC 20005
Phone (VFS UAE Attestation): 313-379-3053