Fees and steps checked on
Canadian marriage certificate attestation is what you need to sponsor your husband or wife on a UAE family visa. The certificate issued by the provincial or territorial vital statistics office is apostilled by that province's competent authority or by Global Affairs Canada, attested by the UAE Embassy in Ottawa, and finished with MOFA attestation in the UAE. Our service takes 4 to 6 weeks.
Price: from AED 1,900 plus VAT, 4 to 6 weeks, all official fees and courier included. See attestation fees.
Who issues a Canadian marriage certificate
Marriages in Canada are registered by the province or territory, not by Ottawa. Each one has its own vital statistics office, for example ServiceOntario in Ontario or the Vital Statistics Agency in British Columbia, and Quebec's civil status registrar. The official certificate comes from that office. The certificate signed by the officiant on the day is a keepsake and cannot be apostilled.
Why you need it in the UAE
- Spouse visa. Dubai's GDRFA and the federal ICP ask for an attested marriage certificate for a spouse residence visa. The sponsor must also meet an income rule of about AED 4,000 a month, or AED 3,000 plus housing.
- Children's visas. Families usually attest it together with Canada birth certificate attestation for each child.
- Name changes. It connects a married name on a passport to a maiden name on a degree.
The whole family checklist is on documents to attest for a UAE family visa.
Canadian marriage certificate attestation step by step
- Order the certificate. From the vital statistics office of the province where you married.
- Notarisation, if needed. Some certificates are notarised first. We check this from your copy.
- Apostille. Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan apostille their own documents. Other provinces and territories go to Global Affairs Canada.
- UAE Embassy Ottawa. The embassy attests the apostilled certificate, with at least 3 to 5 business days and online payment only.
- MOFA. Applied for online, as MOFA counters are closed, and the certificate is returned to you in the UAE.
Official fees and timing
| Stage | Who stamps it | Usual time |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Provincial vital statistics | varies |
| Apostille | Province or Global Affairs Canada | about 25 business days in queue, plus mailing |
| UAE Embassy | UAE Embassy Ottawa | at least 3 to 5 business days |
| MOFA | MOFA, online | 1 to 3 business days |
The AED 1,900 from-price includes all official fees and courier. Every other Canadian document is covered on Canada certificate attestation.
Common problems and how to avoid them
- Ceremony certificate sent. Only the provincial certificate can be apostilled.
- French text. Quebec certificates are often in French. Add a legal translation, since MOFA works with Arabic or English.
- Married outside Canada. A marriage registered in another country follows that country's chain, even for Canadian citizens. See marriage certificate attestation.
- Names that do not match passports. Check both spouses' names against their passports before ordering.
- Laminated certificates. MOFA rejects laminated documents.
Once attested, the certificate is accepted in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and the other emirates.
