***Please review this page carefully since the fees are updated as of Feb. 6th, 2009***

LEGALIZATION OF LEGAL AND COMMERCIAL DOCUMENTS

• GENERAL INFORMATION
• LEGALIZATION OF COMMERCIAL / SHIPPING DOCUMENTS
• LEGALIZATION OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS
• Certificate of Good Conduct

• DETAILS OF COMMERCIAL DOCUMENTATION

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Legal and commercial documents issued in the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, Peru, or Chile are legalized at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, D.C.

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 The legalization of legal and commercial documents takes up to seven business days from the day of receipt.

The Embassy of Qatar does not offer any express or expedited services. There are no additional fees for any application.

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You can submit your documents to the Embassy either by hand or mail

-       By hand: The Consulate Office hours are from 9:30 A.M. to 12:30 P.M. Monday through Friday.-

-       By mail to:

       Consular Department - Legalization Section

       Embassy of the State of Qatar

       2555 M Street, NW

       Washington, DC  20037

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LEGALIZATION OF COMMERCIAL / SHIPPING DOCUMENTS

• Must be legalized by the National US-Arab Chamber of Commerce (please check their website http://www.nusacc.org/ for Legalization procedures)
• Please provide 2 extra copies of each original document you send. We only legalize original documents.
• Please make sure that your name and address appear on both the sender and the recipient fields of the prepaid airway bill (not regular mail)
• Money order or company check payable to the Embassy of the State of Qatar and drawn from a US bank in US currency according to the following chart:

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LEGALIZATION OF LEGAL DOCUMENTS

• Authenticated by the U.S. Department of State - Office of Authentication in Washington, DC (Tel: 202-647-5002) http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/
• Please provide 2 extra copies of each original document you send. We only legalize original documents.
• Please make sure that your name and address appear on both the sender and the recipient fields of the prepaid airway bill (not regular mail) used to return  the documents back to the applicant.
• Money order or company check payable to the Embassy of the State of Qatar and drawn from a US bank in US currency according to the following chart:

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Certificate of Good Conduct

The "Certificate of Good Conduct" is available only for people who have lived in Qatar and are trying to prove they have been in good conduct there (no unlawful acts). Please do not mistaken it with a "Police Report" which is issued by US or Canadian authorities to applicants who are planning to travel to Qatar for employment.

• The processing time for the certificate of good conduct is normally from 6 to 8 weeks and sometimes more
• Must have the fingerprints from the Police department
• Notarized by the Notary Public (County, City)
• Authenticated by the Secretary of State (State, Province)
• Authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affaires of the Country (for Canada, Peru, Mexico, and Chile)
• Authenticated by the State Department  Authentication Division in Washington D.C. (Tel: 202-647-5002)
• Letter addressed to the Embassy explains the purpose of requesting the good conduct certificate.  Also specify the time frame (from xx to xx) in which you stayed in Qatar, and the working place and sponsor
• Two photo copies of the passport that has the residency stamp and two photo copies of the new passport if any
• Four color passport-size photographs 2" x 2"
• Money order or company check in the amount of $6.00 per document payable to the Embassy of the State of Qatar and withdrawn in US currency from a US bank
• An amount of $9.00 cash is required for the issuance of the certificate in Qatar.
• Please provide 2 extra copies of each original document you send.
• Please make sure that your name and address appear on both the sender and the recipient fields of the prepaid airway bill (not regular mail)
• Please provide your email address for followup.

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DETAILS OF COMMERCIAL DOCUMENTATION

Below are the documentary requirements subscribers must meet when shipping to Qatar.

Facsimile signatures are not permitted on any document.

Air cargo shipments require air waybills (in place of bills of lading) with the number of copies issued based on requirements of the importer and of the airline used.

Certification & Legalization: In all instances, at least one copy each of the commercial invoice, certificate of origin, insurance certificate, steamship certificate and bill of lading or airway bill must be legalized. Such fees are to be paid by money order or certified check.

The following procedures must be followed in order to obtain legalization:

• The Consulate will retain two copies of each commercial invoice, certificate of origin, steamship certificate and insurance certificate for their files.
• Each copy of the certificate of origin must be attached to a copy of the commercial invoice.
• Before being presented to the Qatar consulate for legalization, documents must first be certified by an approved chamber of commerce.
• The invoice is to be certified as to current export market prices and country of origin by the chamber (the notarized file copy retained by the chamber is to bear the statement: I (name, title, name of company), hereby swear that the prices stated in this invoice are current export market prices and that the origin of the goods described herein is the United States of America, and I assume full responsibility for any inaccuracies or errors therein).
• Before being mailed or delivered to the Qatar Consulate, all shipping documents must be placed in the following order: (a) Shipper's document must be stapled together and marked Return to Shipper (b) Consulate's copies must be stapled together and marked �Consulate's Copies� (c) When documents are to be returned by mail, a self-addressed stamped envelope must accompany documents.
• Certification of Documents: When commercial invoices and/or certificates of origin are presented to the consular Section at the Embassy, Washington, DC for legalization, they will likely be refused unless first certified by one of the following approved National US-Arab Chambers of Commerce: http://www.nusacc.org/loc.asp
• Commercial Invoices (usually issued in quadruplicate, the importer will advice how many copies are actually required on a particular shipment) must be genuine, prepared on letterhead of actual seller, all copies be duly signed by an authorized person, stating that the invoice is true and correct , and all copies must contain at the least the following data- name and address of supplier and consignee, quantity , weights, marks and numbers, origin of goods, an accurate description of the goods, and the value thereof, discounts or rebates, itemizing all expenses, e.g., CIF, or otherwise , name of steamer and date of sailing (it is important that these two points covering steamers appear on all copies of invoice). If shipment is insured by the buyer shipper must note this fact on the invoice. The invoice should also contain a statement that the products being shipped are of U.S. origin and that they are manufactured in the United State. If the products contain any foreign components then- besides the full name and address of U.S. manufacturer the full names and addresses or all the manufactures involved must be given. (see above regarding certification and legalization requirements).

Pro-Forma Invoice: The Director of the State Purchases Department of Qatar Ministry of Finance and Petroleum Affairs has stipulate the pro-forma invoices submitted to the government must conform to the following requirements : (1) The pro-forma invoice must be original. (2) It must be stamped and signed by the supplying company/exporter. (3) The exporting company's pro-forma invoice is to give the same serial numbers of the items shown in the governments order sheet. (4) The pro-forma invoice must indicate the delivery period and validity of the quotations. Besides being required for all government/tenders, it is also recommended that it be issued in all other cases as it facilitates establishment of letters of credit.

Bills of Lading: no special requirements. Generally speaking freight charges should be pre-paid.

Packing list: Not mandatory; however, use of a packing list will facilitate customs clearance of goods.

Certificate of Origin: Certificates of origin (usually issued in quadruplicate; the importer will advise how many copies are actually required on a particular shipment) on general form, as sold by commercial stationers, must contain, as well as the usual particulars for this type of document, the name of vessel and date of sailing , as well as a statement that the products being shipped are of U.S. origin and that they are manufactured in the United States. If the products contain any foreign components, then-besides the full name and address of U.S. manufacturer-the full names and addresses of all the manufacturers involved must be given. Shippers must also make a notarized statement certifying that it is true and correct. (See above regarding certification and legalization requirements).

Insurance Certificate: Must be presented to consulate in (minimum) one original and one copy. The original will be returned to shipper and the copy retained by the consulate for its files. If insurance is purchased locally in Qatar by the importer then this fact must always be noted on the commercial invoice. (See above regarding certification and legalization).

Steamship Certificate: Must be presented to Consulate in (minimum) one original and one copy the original will be turned to the shipper and the copy retained by the Consulate for its files. (see above regarding certification and legalization). Steamship or air-line certificate is not required if carrier is owned by Arabian government or company.

Import License: All importers must hold a general license authorizing import transactions. Importers of foodstuffs should have an import license, which is issued only to Qatari nationals by the Government.