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Affidavit Legalization for Arab Countries
Arab courts, ministries, banks and civil registries accept a U.S. affidavit only once it is properly notarized and certified for that country. The Arab American Chamber of Commerce reviews your affidavit before it enters the process and takes it through the apostille or embassy route each destination requires, for companies and for individuals.
Two routes, depending on the country. Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain and Algeria accept an affidavit with a Secretary of State apostille, and no embassy step is needed. The other Arab countries require the full chain: Secretary of State, U.S. Department of State, then the embassy in Washington, D.C.
What an Affidavit Is
An affidavit is a written statement of facts that the signer (the affiant) swears to under oath before a notary public, who completes a jurat. Legalization confirms the notary's signature and seal. It doesn't confirm that the facts in the affidavit are true; the affiant is responsible for those.
Personal affidavits
Single status, support, domicile or residence, heirship, name or identity ("one and the same person") and lost documents.
Families & individualsBusiness affidavits
Company officer statements on ownership, beneficial owners, authorized signatories, or that a company is not in bankruptcy.
CompaniesTrade affidavits
Manufacturer and free sale declarations that support a product registration or tender.
ExportersChoose the Destination Country
Choose the country where the affidavit will be used to start your order.
Country
U.S. steps
Final step
U.S. stepsNotarized → Secretary of State → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEgyptian Embassy or consulate
U.S. stepsNotarized → Secretary of State → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Jordan
U.S. stepsNotarized → Secretary of State → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Kuwait
U.S. stepsNotarized → Secretary of State → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Lebanon
U.S. stepsBusiness affidavit: full chain. Personal affidavit: Secretary of State apostille
Final stepBusiness: Embassy of Oman. Personal: apostille
U.S. stepsNotarized → Secretary of State → U.S. Department of State
Final stepPalestinian legalization arranged by our team
U.S. stepsNotarized → Secretary of State apostille
Final stepApostille (since December 2022)
U.S. stepsNotarized → Secretary of State → U.S. Department of State
Final stepEmbassy of Tunisia
U.S. stepsBusiness: notarized → Secretary of State. Personal: also U.S. Department of State
Final stepUAE Embassy (through VFS Global), then MOFA in the UAE
Embassy fees depend on the country and on whether the affidavit is personal or commercial. We confirm the current fee with your order.
How an Affidavit Is Legalized
- Sign before a notary, in personThe affiant signs under oath in front of a U.S. notary public. The notary completes a jurat, with the seal on the same page as the signature. Don't sign the affidavit in advance.
- Secretary of StateThe state where the notary is commissioned certifies the notary. For Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain and Algeria this certificate is the apostille, and the process ends here.
- U.S. Department of StateFor embassy countries, the Office of Authentications in Washington, D.C. certifies the state seal.
- Embassy legalizationThe destination country's embassy legalizes the affidavit. For the UAE, it goes to the UAE Embassy through VFS Global and then to MOFA in the UAE.
- Returned to youSent back with tracking, ready for translation and use in the destination country.
Common mistakes: remote online notarization (several Arab embassies reject it), a notary's seal on a separate page, an acknowledgment where a jurat is required, or sending the affidavit to the U.S. Department of State for an apostille. It isn't a federal document, so its apostille always comes from the Secretary of State.
Required Documents
What to send us
- The original affidavit, signed and notarized in person, with the notary's seal on the signature page.
- A copy of your ID or passport if the embassy asks for one. Several embassies do for personal affidavits.
- Your online order for the destination country, paid online or through Pay Invoice.
- A prepaid return label: a FedEx or UPS air waybill, or a USPS Priority Mail envelope with tracking. You can also buy a label at checkout.
Writing the affidavit
- Use the affiant's full legal name exactly as it appears on the passport.
- State the facts clearly and say where the affidavit will be used.
- Leave space for the notary's jurat and seal on the signature page.
- If the receiving office gave you a template, use its wording exactly.
Related Documents
Power of Attorney
Authorizes someone to act for you in the destination country. It is notarized and follows the same route.
Same routeProcessing Time and Fees
Apostille countries
| Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain, Algeria (and Oman for personal affidavits) | State apostille |
| Embassy step | None |
| Time | Varies by state |
Embassy countries
| State and U.S. Department of State | Required |
| Embassy fee | By country |
| Time | Call us for your country |
Times are counted from the day we receive your affidavit. Our service fee and return shipping are shown at checkout.
Why Choose the Arab American Chamber of Commerce?
Notarization reviewedWe check the jurat, the seal and the signer's name before the affidavit goes to the state.
Apostille or embassy, correctlyYou never pay for an embassy step that your destination doesn't require.
All 18 Arab countriesOne order covers the state, the U.S. Department of State and the embassy.
Where to Send Your Affidavit
Maryland office (fastest)
Arab Chamber of Commerce
1615 Bay Head Rd., Annapolis, MD 21409
(410) 349-1212
Washington, D.C. headquarters
1330 New Hampshire Ave. NW, B1, Washington, DC
(202) 347-5800
Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm ET
Affidavit Legalization: Common Questions
Who issues the apostille for an affidavit?
The Secretary of State of the state where the notary who notarized the affidavit is commissioned. The U.S. Department of State does not apostille affidavits, because they are not federal documents.
Which Arab countries accept an apostilled affidavit?
Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Bahrain and Algeria (since July 9, 2026), and Oman for personal affidavits. The other Arab countries require the Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State and the embassy.
Can I notarize my affidavit online?
We recommend signing before a notary in person. Several Arab embassies reject remotely notarized documents, and a rejection means starting over.
Do I need a notary in the same state where I live?
No. The affidavit is certified by the Secretary of State of the state where the notary is commissioned, not where you live. Sign and notarize it in one state so the certification is straightforward.
Does the affidavit need an Arabic translation?
Usually yes. Arab authorities generally have the legalized affidavit translated into Arabic by a certified translator in the destination country.
Need an affidavit accepted abroad?
Tell us the destination and who will receive the affidavit. We'll check the wording and the route before you sign.
Case 1 Examples
Business documents
Federally Issued documents
Case 2 Examples
Commercial Document:
Case 3 Examples
Personal Document:
Mailing
If you are using FedEx or UPS, please include a self-addressed air waybill for the return of your document.
Alternatively, you may use a USPS Priority Mail envelope with prepaid postage and a tracking number.
If you do not have a FedEx or UPS account, you can purchase an air waybill through this site in the next step.
Arab American Chamber of Commerce Headquarter Office
1330 New Hampshire Ave. NW, B1Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 347-5800
1 888-939-ARAB
Arab Chamber of Commerce
1615 Bay Head Rd.Annapolis MD, 21409
(410) 349 - 1212
