Death certificate attestation is the process of validating the authenticity of a death certificate issued by a foreign government. This involves obtaining stamps and signatures from various authorized bodies, including:

1. Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the issuing country
2. UAE Embassy or Consulate in the issuing country
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) in the UAE

Why is Death Certificate Attestation Required in the UAE?

An attested death certificate is necessary for various purposes in the UAE, including:

1. Settlement of estate: For legal inheritance procedures if the deceased owned property or assets in the UAE.
2. Cancellation of residency visa: Required to cancel the deceased’s residency visa and close their bank accounts.
3. Pension and insurance claims: Necessary for claiming pensions or insurance benefits.
4. Repatriation of remains: Often required to transport the deceased’s remains back to their home country.

Documents Required for Death Certificate Attestation in the UAE

The specific documents required for death certificate attestation may vary based on the circumstances of the death and the issuing country. However, general requirements include:

1. Original death certificate issued by the competent authority in the country of death.
2. Passport of the deceased (if available).
3. Emirates ID of the deceased (if applicable).
4. Passport of the applicant (if different from the deceased).
5. Application form (usually provided by the attestation service).

Procedure for Death Certificate Attestation

Attesting a death certificate is a crucial step for legal recognition in many countries, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Here is the general procedure for death certificate attestation in the UAE:

1. Gather Required Documents

• Original death certificate
• Passport and Emirates ID of the deceased
• Passport of the applicant
• Application form

2. Additional Documents (depending on the case)

• For deaths outside UAE: NOC from the deceased’s home country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Arabic translation of the death certificate.
• For Muslim individuals: Burial certificate issued by Islamic authorities in the UAE.
• For specific uses: Additional documents based on the intended use of the attested death certificate.

3. Choose a reputable attestation service for processing.

4. Submit Documents

• Submit all required documents to the attestation service.
• Ensure documents are original, valid, and have clear copies.

5. Payment

• Pay the required attestation fees to the service provider.

6. Verification and Authentication

• The attestation service will verify and authenticate documents with relevant authorities, including MOFAIC, UAE Embassy, and the issuing country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

7. Collection of Attested Documents

• Once verification and authentication are complete, collect the attested death certificate using the service provider’s free delivery services or from their office.

8. Timeline

• Attestation processing time varies but may take several weeks based on the case’s complexity. Initiate the process promptly.