Living in a foreign country, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), documentation becomes an important component in dealing with various daily legal, social, and administrative processes. The Consanguinity Certificate is one such important document, particularly for expatriates and UAE nationals.
A Consanguinity Certificate is an official document which establishes the blood relation of individuals legally. Regardless of whether this certificate is needed to apply for a family visa, sponsorship procedure, inheritance matters, marriage or property disagreement, it is essential to ensure that family ties and relations are accepted by the concerned authorities within the United Arab Emirates.
The significance of such a certificate in a multicultural society such as the UAE cannot be overestimated, where many legal processes are dependent on the evidence of kinship. This blog will give a clear outline of what a Consanguinity Certificate is, along with when it is needed and how to get it in the UAE. Read till the end for a complete understanding of the procedure.
Meaning of the Consanguinity Certificate
A Consanguinity Certificate is a legal document issued by a competent authority, such as a notary public, a court, a municipal authority, etc., that establishes a blood relationship between two or more individuals. Common usage of the certificate in the UAE includes family sponsorship, legal claims and marriage verification, among others.
Such a certificate is necessary for both the UAE citizens and the expatriates, especially for those who need to provide verified evidence of relation to government departments, embassies, or consulates.
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Why is the Consanguinity Certificate Needed?
Listed below are some of the most important uses of the Consanguinity Certificate in the UAE;
- Family Sponsorship for Visa – In case an individual wants to sponsor a family member for a residence visa, they may need to prove their relationship. This is particularly true when the relationship is not close or direct (such as the sponsorship of cousins, siblings or extended family members).
- Marriage Registration (Especially Between Relatives) – It is usually required by the government when it comes to consanguineous marriages (a marriage between blood relatives) as a way of proving the relationship as well as verifying that the marriage is not violating any Sharia law and the civil rules of the country.
- Inheritance and Distribution of Property – In case of disputes over inheritance and property distribution, especially involving many heirs or different properties and assets, a Consanguinity Certificate can be used in determining the legitimate heirs according to UAE inheritance laws, especially for Muslim residents, where Sharia-based rules apply.
- Custody and Guardianship Matters – In cases involving custody disputes, adoption, or legal guardianship, the certificate serves as a tool to determine who holds a closer familial bond with the concerned individual, such as a minor child.
- Matters Concerning Custody and Guardianship – In custody battles, adoption, or legal guardianship, the certificate proves to be a tool used to understand the individual with a closer familial bond with the concerned individual.
- Medical or Genetic Counselling – Some medical institutions in the UAE demand a certificate of consanguinity of couples who will undergo genetic testing or fertility treatment. It assists in the evaluation of genetic risks involved in consanguineous marriages.
Who Issues the Consanguinity Certificate in the UAE?
The process and the concerned authority issuing a consanguinity certificate vary depending on the candidate’s nationality.
For UAE Nationals – The certificate is normally provided upon verification of the necessary documents, either by the Sharia courts or local notaries.
For Foreign Nationals – In such cases, candidates are often required to obtain the certificate from the concerned authorities in their home country. It also may need to be attested by;
- The Ministry of External Affairs
- UAE Embassy in the home country
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) in the UAE
Documents Needed to Apply for a Consanguinity Certificate in the UAE
To obtain a consanguinity certificate in the UAE, candidates are required to submit certain documents to the concerned authorities. Usually, it includes the following documents;
- Valid Passports of the individuals involved
- Emirates ID (for UAE residents)
- Birth Certificates of the individuals
- Family Book (for UAE nationals)
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of residence or tenancy contract
- An affidavit or declaration outlining the relationship
- Photographs (passport-sized)
- Any previous legal documents that establish a relationship (if available)
Note: The exact document requirements may vary slightly depending on the emirate and the applicant’s nationality.
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Step-by-Step Process to Obtain a Consanguinity Certificate in the UAE
The process of acquiring a Consanguinity Certificate varies slightly between UAE nationals and expats, depending on the issuing authority, as well as the attestation requirements. Discussed below are the steps to be followed:
For UAE Nationals
- Visit the Relevant Authority – Go to the appropriate institution in your emirate (e.g. Dubai Courts or Abu Dhabi Judicial Department).
- Fill out the Application – Share the personal details concerning the nature of the relationship. You can be asked to sign an affidavit.
- Submit Supporting Documents – The next step is to submit all the required documents, including Emirates IDs, passports, birth certificates, and the family book (Khulasat Al Qaid for UAE citizens).
- Witness Verification (If Needed) – In some instances, a witness verification might be necessary, i.e. relationship having to be affirmed by two adult witnesses.
- Receive the Certificate – Upon completion of the verification, the certificate will be issued and stamped, making it suitable for legal use.
For Expatriates
- Obtain the Certificate in your native country – You can apply to your local court or municipality office with an affidavit showing the relationship.
- Attestation in Home Country – The issued certificate should then be attested by the Ministry of External Affairs and the UAE Embassy.
- MOFA Attestation in the UAE – After arrival in the UAE, candidates are required to obtain the MOFA Attestation from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Arabic Translation – Translate the certificate, in case it is not already translated into Arabic, by a certified legal translator.
Note – Make sure that names, dates and relationships are maintained consistently across all the documents to avoid delays.
Validity of a Consanguinity Certificate
Although a Consanguinity Certificate itself does not normally have a set expiry date, at times its relevance and acceptability may rely on the time that has passed since it was issued. The majority of government departments in the UAE require certificates that are not more than 6-12 months old.
Relevancy is particularly important for cases such as visa applications, inheritance claims, or even marriage registration. A recently issued certificate is important to ensure that the information provided is updated, correct and reflects the current status relationship.
An old certificate would be rejected or have to be re-verified, thus causing delays in processing, and even approvals of applications might be jeopardised. Thus, it can be recommended to obtain a new or renewed certificate when the current one is over one year old.
Consequences of Not Having a Consanguinity Certificate
Lack of a Consanguinity Certificate when demanded in various situations can cause numerous problems, such as;
- Delays in legal matters, such as inheritance claims, child custody, property division, etc., in which a relationship has to be established.
- Absence of a consanguinity certificate will lead to the denial of visa requests, particularly incase of sponsoring the extended family members such as cousins, siblings or dependents.
- Without documented proof, some family relationships might not be sanctioned by the courts or the immigration offices.
- Refusal to register marriage, especially in consanguineous tie-ups, where there is a need to establish the existence of a relationship.
- Issues in healthcare procedures, such as genetic counselling, fertility treatments, or child-related medical approvals, may be withheld.
- In certain family-based sponsorship, blood relations have to be well documented and failure to have the consanguinity certificate may stop one from being sponsored.
- Lack of adequate documentation can result in rejection and delayed applications on different government and legal platforms.
Conclusion
The Consanguinity Certificate might look like a very trivial piece of paper; however, its importance is very far-reaching in a legal and administrative scope, especially in a country like the UAE, where the legislative recognition of familial ties is essential. Be it sponsoring a relative, registering a marriage, claiming an inheritance or even a matter of custody, this certificate turns out to be a very crucial document.
Realising the significance of this process, its acquisition and proper attestation will definitely be helpful in simplifying legal and personal procedures in the UAE. If you find yourself in a situation where you are not sure of what to do, it may be worth contacting a certified attestation services provider to make the process smooth and error-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a Consanguinity Certificate?
It is a legal document that proves the blood relations between two or more people, and generally, it is used in familial, legal, and certain personal situations.
- Who needs a Consanguinity Certificate in the UAE?
It can be required by citizens of the UAE, as well as expatriates when applying for a visa, registering a marriage, inheritance-related issues and in court cases, amongst other uses.
- Can I get this certificate online?
No, usually, this certificate necessarily involves physical verification and submission of documents.
- Is attestation mandatory for a Consanguinity Certificate?
Yes, particularly for the certificates that are issued outside the UAE. Such certificates have to be verified by the respective entities in the destination country, the UAE Embassy and finally the MOFA in the UAE.
- Can I sponsor a cousin or distant relative with this certificate?
Yes, so long as you comply with other terms such as minimum salary, housing, etc and prove that you are blood-related.
- How can expatriates obtain a Consanguinity Certificate?
They will have to first obtain the certificate in their own country, get it attested by the Ministry of External Affairs and the UAE Embassy, and finally, in the UAE, it needs to be attested by the MOFA.