Cyprus Document Legalization for Use in the UAE
Legalization is the process of confirming the authenticity of a foreign-issued public document so that it is legally valid in the UAE. For documents from Cyprus, this includes:
- Authentication in Cyprus – via apostille or local notary and Ministry of Justice.
- Legalisation by UAE authorities – through the UAE Embassy in Cyprus and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAIC).
This process is mandatory for both individuals and businesses handling:
- Visa applications
- Employment and academic verification
- Real estate transactions
- Business setup and banking
Cyprus-issued documents must undergo full legalisation even if already apostilled, as the UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention.
Difference Between Apostille and Legalization
Documents issued in Cyprus must undergo a comprehensive legalization process before they are recognized in the United Arab Emirates, even if they have previously been apostilled. This requirement exists because the UAE is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention.
An apostille constitutes a simplified certification method employed exclusively among countries that participate in the Hague Apostille Convention. It involves affixing a single certificate that confirms the authenticity of a public document issued by the originating authority. This certification enables the document to be accepted without further endorsement in all member states of the convention.
However, since the UAE is excluded from this treaty, documents bearing only an apostille do not meet the formal criteria for official acceptance within its jurisdiction. Consequently, a full legalization procedure—entailing several stages of validation by relevant Cypriot authorities and subsequent attestation by UAE diplomatic missions—is mandatory to ensure the document’s legal validity in the UAE.
Instead, the UAE requires a full legalisation process, which involves multiple steps:
Types of Documents Requiring Legalisation
Personal Documents
- Birth and death certificates
- Marriage and divorce certificates
- Police clearance certificates
- Medical records and reports
- Personal powers of attorney
Educational Documents
- School diplomas
- University degrees and transcripts
- Professional certificates
- Academic equivalency letters
Corporate Documents
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum and Articles of Association (MOA/AOA)
- Board resolutions
- Shareholder agreements
- Power of attorney (corporate)
- Trade licences and amendments
- Certificates of good standing
- Tax residency certificates
- Commercial invoices and supply contracts
- Appointment letters of directors or managers
Legalization of Documents in the UAE
The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) authenticates documents by certifying the seal of the relevant foreign diplomatic mission. Attestation by the MFA generally represents the final stage in the document legalization process. During this step, the MFA verifies all prior certification and legalization stamps. Once confirmed as valid, the MFA issues its attestation, after which the document is officially recognized for legal use within the UAE.
Additional Notes: Depending on the intended use of the document within the UAE, additional procedures may be necessary. For documents submitted to UAE courts or other federal ministries, it is generally required to provide an official Arabic translation, as Arabic is the country’s official language. In these cases, the translation must be performed by a certified legal translator accredited by the UAE Ministry of Justice. Subsequently, both the original document and its Arabic translation should be presented to the Ministry of Justice for certification of the translation.
However, if the document is to be submitted to a UAE free zone authority, these further translation and certification requirements are typically not applicable, since the majority of free zones accept documents in English.
Process of Document Legalization in Cyprus
- 01
A certifying officer in Cyprus signs and certifies the signature on the document or the copy of the document.
- 02
The signature and seal of the certifying officer are attested by the district officer.
- 03
Original documents from the official registrars only (e.g., Registrar of Companies for legal persons) are accepted.
- 04
Document is translated to English if translation is necessary before certification.
- 05
The document is attested by the Cyprus Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- 06
The document is legalized by the UAE Embassy at Nicosia.
in the UAE
With a proven track record of handling over 1,500 complex legal and corporate transitions, ITA Business Consultants combines deep knowledge of regional regulations and international standards to be your trusted partner in the legalization of documents issued in Cyprus for use in the UAE.
We understand that the document legalization process is more than a bureaucratic formality – it is a crucial step that safeguards the validity and acceptance of your documents, ensuring your business or personal affairs proceed without delay or complication. That is why we offer a personalized legalization service, working closely with authorities in both Cyprus and the UAE to manage everything from document authentication and notarization to embassy legalization and UAE consulate certification—all handled with confidentiality, speed, and precision.
Take the first step toward hassle-free document legalization. Complete the form to connect with our specialists and discover how ITA Business Consultants can provide you with a trusted, efficient pathway to meet all your cross-border documentation needs with confidence.
*Our fee includes certification by a certifying officer and a district and is per document (for documents of legal entities).
*The price of AED 2.610 (USD 710) per document is for documents of individuals and AED 4.225 (USD 1.150) per document is for documents of legal entities.
*The cost of translation of a document depends on its volume; these fees are payable additionally according to the standard price list.