Notarization is a crucial step in executing many legal documents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), ensuring authenticity of signatures and compliance with legal formalities. Both individuals and corporate entities frequently require notarized documents from power of attorneys to corporate resolutions and contracts for use in official transactions. However, the procedures and requirements can vary depending on the jurisdiction within the UAE.
Benefits of Notarizing Documents
- Legal Validity and Compliance: Ensures documents are legally recognized, enforceable, and compliant with UAE laws for both individuals and corporates.
- Fraud Prevention and Identity Verification: Confirms the authenticity of signatures and the authority of signatories, reducing the risk of fraud.
- Evidentiary Strength: Provides strong legal proof in disputes by certifying the date, content, and execution of the document.
- International and Regulatory Acceptance: Facilitates cross-border use through legalization and is often required for banks, courts, and government authorities.
- Efficiency in verification through Digital Access: Offers streamlined, remote notarization in the UAE verification options through the usage of QR codes and barcodes in the notarized documents.
Notarization procedures
The general notarization procedures in the UAE is simple and starigthforward:
- Document Preparation: Draft the document in the required language (Arabic or bilingual) and ensure all supporting materials are complete.
- Translation (if needed): Provide a certified Arabic translation for documents in other languages, unless bilingual formats are accepted.
- Booking an Appointment: Schedule a session with a public or private notary via the relevant authority’s portal (e.g., ADJD, Dubai Courts, ADGM, or DIFC).
- Fee Payment: Pay applicable notary and service fees online or in person, as per jurisdictional requirements.
- Notarization: Attend the appointment (physically or virtually), present identification, and sign before the notary to complete the process.
Notarization in Abu Dhabi
Notarization of documents can be facilitated by both public and private notaries in Abu Dhabi in both the onshore (through ADJD) and offshore (through ADGM) as follows:
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD)
Document notarization services are provided through both public and private notaries under the purview of the ADJD. This includes a range of legal instruments such as powers of attorney, declarations, and corporate resolutions, all processed in accordance with UAE federal laws and local regulations.
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM)
The ADGM also facilitates notarization services within its jurisdiction. Notarial acts executed under the ADGM framework are governed by its bespoke regulatory regime, enabling parties to notarize documents relevant to commercial, corporate, and financial matters with international legal standing.
Abu Dhabi (Onshore) Notarization through ADJD
Abu Dhabi’s onshore notarization services are administered by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) under Abu Dhabi Law No. 11 of 2017. Traditionally, notarizations in Abu Dhabi have been conducted in Arabic, with documents either drafted in Arabic or translated by a certified legal translator if originally in another language. In practice, dual-language documents (Arabic-English) are commonly accepted, which has been the norm across the UAE. This language requirement often meant that expatriates and companies operating in English needed to incur translation costs and time. Recognizing this hurdle, Abu Dhabi introduced a pioneering English-language notary service in late 2023 – the first of its kind in the region. The new English Language Notary Services Bureau allows certain documents to be notarized entirely in English, expediting transactions for international businesses. To know more about the English Notary Bureau in Abu Dhabi, please read : Abu Dhabi English Notary Services: A Visionary Step Forward
Moreover, it is important to note that the Abu Dhabi Courts since the latter half of 2024 only accept Power of Attorneys notarized through the ADJD in cases filed before them.
Abu Dhabi’s timelines for notarization are generally efficient. Same-day appointments are often available for simple documents, especially through private notaries or off-peak times. The notarization itself is usually completed in a single sitting (often under an hour). If translation is required, that adds preparation time. The new English-language notary bureau aims to speed up transactions by removing the translation step and is provided fully online for faster turnaround. Overall, individuals and companies in Abu Dhabi can expect a straightforward process, with digital innovation increasingly reducing wait times.
Fees and Payment
Notarization fees under the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) are governed by a standardized fee schedule based on document type and complexity. Payments can be made in person or via the ADJD’s online portal, with fees due at the time of service. For online bookings, an electronic gateway allows advance payment to streamline the process. Once the notarization process has begun, fees are non-refundable. Private notaries licensed by ADJD may charge an additional service fee, subject to regulatory approval.Bottom of Form
Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) Notarization
The Abu Dhabi Global Market is a financial free zone in Abu Dhabi with its own independent English-language legal system and courts. However, notarization in ADGM is conducted in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department. ADGM Courts house a Notary Public Office that is licensed and authorised by ADJD to perform notarial acts within ADGM. This means that documents notarized by the ADGM Notary Public are recognized under Abu Dhabi’s notarial law, and the notaries follow the requirements of Abu Dhabi Law No. 11 of 2017. The ADGM Notary Public caters primarily to ADGM-registered entities and documents (such as board resolutions, company incorporation documents, and transactions involving ADGM companies), as well as non-Muslim wills for individuals in ADGM.
Scope of ADGM Notary Services
The ADGM Notary can notarize most documents that an onshore notary would, provided they do not contravene UAE law or fall under prohibited categories. Common corporate uses include: notarization of board resolutions for ADGM companies (e.g. authorizing a subsidiary incorporation or share transfer), powers of attorney issued by ADGM companies, and authentication of directors’ or shareholders’ signatures. The ADGM Notary also attests non-Muslim wills for asset disposition or guardianship as allowed under ADGM’s wills registry framework.
Fees and Payment
ADGM’s notary fees comprise two parts: an ADGM Courts service fee and the standard ADJD notarization fees. The ADGM Courts fee is paid online (a payment link is emailed once the notary accepts the request). This fee is non-refundable once the notary begins document review. On the day of the appointment (if in person) or just prior (if virtual), the ADJD fee schedule applies, and those fees must be paid as well.
The ADGM Courts publish detailed fee schedules for individual and corporate services for transparency. The link to the detailed fee schedule can be found here: ADGM Notarization Fees
ADGM has a specialized Wills Office integrated with its Notary Public for non-Muslim wills. These wills can dispose of assets or appoint guardians for children and are notarized in English (ADGM operates an English-language court), providing an option for expatriates in Abu Dhabi to have their wills recognized. Such wills are notarized in accordance with Abu Dhabi’s laws but without violating Sharia provisions as they apply only to non-Muslim estate planning. To read more on will registration in ADGM please read :
Notarization in Dubai
Notarization of documents in Dubai can be facilitated by both public and private notaries across its dual legal ecosystem—onshore (via the Dubai Courts Notary Public) and offshore (via the Dubai International Financial Centre or DIFC)—as detailed below:
Dubai Courts Notary Public (Onshore)
Notarization services in the onshore jurisdiction of Dubai are administered through the Dubai Courts Notary Public, which authorizes both public and private notaries to execute a broad spectrum of notarial acts. These include powers of attorney, affidavits, contractual agreements, and corporate documents. All notarizations are conducted in strict adherence to UAE Federal Law and the Dubai-specific legal framework, ensuring legal enforceability within the UAE and in jurisdictions recognizing UAE notarial procedures.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
Operating as a common law jurisdiction within Dubai, the DIFC provides an independent notarial mechanism tailored to the needs of the global business community. Notarial services within the DIFC are regulated under its own set of legal and procedural rules, designed to facilitate the execution and authentication of documents related to commercial, financial, and corporate transactions. These notarizations carry international recognition, enhancing legal certainty and cross-border enforceability for entities operating within or engaging with the DIFC.
Dubai Courts Notary Public (Onshore)
Dubai’s onshore notarization system is governed by Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013 and related regulations. Notary services are offered through Dubai Courts Notary Public and licensed Private Notaries. Dubai was an early adopter of private notaries, enabling qualified lawyers to provide notarization services with extended hours and expedited appointments for a fee. Notarial acts—whether performed by public or private notaries—carry the same legal weight, provided they comply with court and Executive Council regulations, including standardized fees and procedures.
Documents must be in Arabic or accompanied by a certified Arabic translation. While bilingual (English/Arabic) documents are commonly accepted, fully English documents typically require an in-person translator. For legal certainty, an Arabic version is recommended.
The notarization process is efficient, usually taking 15–30 minutes once an appointment is secured. Appointment lead times range from 1–3 days via Dubai Courts to same-day service via private notaries. Translation requirements or peak periods may extend the timeline. Digital notary platforms have further streamlined the process, enabling some notarizations to be completed within hours online, reinforcing Dubai’s commitment to innovation in legal services.
Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC)
The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) operates as an offshore jurisdiction under an independent common law system, with English as the language of proceedings. To read more about the DIFC Court and litigating in DIFC Courts, Please read : Navigating Litigation in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts
In collaboration with Dubai Courts since 2009, the DIFC established an English-language notary office to serve its international business community, enabling English documents to be notarized within the DIFC and officially recognized under Dubai’s legal framework.
In October 2024, the DIFC Courts introduced a next-generation digital Notary Service, offering three modes of notarization: automated self-service e-notary, live virtual notarization via video, and in-person notarization at the DIFC Courts registry. This service, designed exclusively for English documents, issues digitally sealed documents secured via blockchain, ensuring authenticity and global verifiability. The DIFC notary covers a wide range of documents—personal and corporate—making it a practical solution for expatriates and businesses operating in English.
Fees and Payment: The DIFC notary fees are expected to be in line with Dubai’s fees, though an additional technology or service fee might apply for the convenience. For instance, using the primary source verification service or obtaining an on-demand certified true copy through the platform could have extra charges. However, exact fee schedules have been published by DIFC Courts at the launch – typically a transparent fee per document or per service will be indicated before confirmation. Payment is handled online for digital services, or at the DIFC Courts cashier for in-person.
The DIFC notary service is a significant development because it effectively means English documents can be notarized in Dubai without translation and with global accessibility. It complements the onshore system by allowing expat residents or overseas business owners to meet notarization requirements in a convenient way. This service, alongside Abu Dhabi’s English notary bureau, marks a shift in the UAE towards more international-friendly legal services, reflecting the country’s status as a global business hub.
Our Perspective and Considerations
When dealing with notarized documents in the UAE, it’s important to consider cross-border use and inter-jurisdictional recognition:
- Use of UAE-notarized documents abroad: Simply notarizing a document in the UAE is often not sufficient for it to be valid abroad. Because the UAE is not a signatory to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, you cannot get a UAE apostille. Instead, from our our experience in handling cross border documentation, documents notarized in the UAE that are intended for use in another country must go through a chain of authentication. This typically involves: attestation by the UAE Ministry of Justice (MOJ), then attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and finally, consular legalization by the embassy or consulate of the destination country in the UAE.
For example, if a power of attorney notarized in Dubai is to be used in India, it must bear the stamp of MOJ and MOFA, then be stamped by the Indian Consulate in UAE to be valid in India. Always factor in a few extra days (or even weeks) for this legalization process when planning cross-border transactions.
- Use of foreign-notarized documents in the UAE: Conversely, if you have a document notarized abroad (e.g. a corporate resolution notarized by a notary in the UK) and you need to use it in the UAE (for instance, to register a branch or execute a transaction onshore), it must be authenticated through the UAE embassy in that foreign country and then by MOFAIC in the UAE. Only then will UAE authorities accept it. Additionally, if the document is not in Arabic, a certified translation into Arabic will be required for onshore use. UAE courts and registrars will insist on the Arabic version as the official document of record in most cases.
- Remote notarization for overseas signatories: A common challenge was having a party who is located abroad sign a document that needs UAE notarization. The traditional solution was either to sign at a UAE Embassy/Consulate (which have notary powers for certain documents) or to sign before a local notary and then legalize the document for UAE as described above. Now, the advent of electronic/remote notarization in UAE provides an alternative.
For instance, a UAE citizen/resident abroad could use the virtual notary services to notarize a document via video conference, thus obtaining a UAE-notarized document without being physically present in the UAE. This is a game-changer for cross-border transactions, though in practice the signatory may need a UAE digital identity or to follow specific onboarding steps to verify identity remotely.
Conclusion
Notarization across the UAE, whether onshore in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, or offshore in ADGM and DIFC is increasingly streamlined and internationally aligned. While core requirements such as language, format, and process vary by jurisdiction, digital advancements have significantly enhanced efficiency and accessibility.
