The marriage certificate needs to be attested by the Ministry of Foreigners Affairs and International Cooperation in the UAE.

I am an Indian citizen employed in the UAE and drawing a salary of Dh10,000 per month plus accommodation benefits. I am married to an Indian citizen and our marriage was held in Singapore under the provisions of Singapore Marriage Law. We have valid marriage certificate issued from the competent authority of Singapore. Now, I intend to get my spouse to UAE under my visa sponsorship.

Answer:

You should get your marriage certificate attested by a Notary Public in Singapore, thereafter attest the same by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore and then duly attested by UAE Embassy in Singapore. Later, the same needs to be attested by Ministry of Foreigners Affairs and International Cooperation in the UAE before you apply for the residence visa for your spouse.

Since you and your spouse are citizens of India, you may legalise your marriage in India. Therefore, you may have to approach the Indian Embassy in Singapore. This is in accordance with Section 17(1) of the Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 of India, which states, "Where (a) a Marriage Officer is satisfied that a marriage has been duly solemnised in a foreign country in accordance with the law of that country between parties of whom one at least was a citizen of India; and

(b) A party to the marriage informs the Marriage Office in writing that he or she desires the marriage to be registered under this section, the Marriage Officer may, upon payment of the prescribed fee, register the marriage."

The Marriage Officer is defined in Section 3 of the Foreign Marriage Act, 1969 of India as "For the purposes of this Act, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint such of its diplomatic or consular officers as it may think fit to be Marriage Offices for any foreign country.

Explanation - In this section, "diplomatic officer" means an ambassador, envoy, minister, high commissioner, commissioner, charge d' affaires or other diplomatic representative or a counsellor or secretary of any embassy, legation or high commission."

Ashish Mehta is the founder and Managing Partner of Ashish Mehta & Associates. He is qualified to practise law in Dubai, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and India. Full details of his firm on: www.amalawyers.com. 

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