Notary Attestation in Dubai
Notary attestation means getting a document signed and sealed by a notary public, and then having that notarised document attested by the government authorities that must recognise it. In Dubai, the notarisation is done by a notary public, and we handle the attestation steps that follow: UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) attestation and embassy legalization for documents going abroad, or the full home-country chain for documents issued outside the UAE.
Send us a photo of your document on WhatsApp and we will tell you whether it needs notarisation first, which authorities it has to pass through, and what it will cost before you commit.
What Is Notary Attestation in Dubai?
Notarisation and attestation are two different steps that people often search for together. A notary public verifies the identity of the person signing a document, witnesses the signature, and certifies copies or statements. Attestation is the chain of government stamps that confirms the notary’s seal and signature are genuine, so that another authority or country will accept the document.
A notarised document on its own is usually not enough for use in another country, and a document issued abroad usually has to be notarised at home before it can be attested for the UAE. That is why the two are handled as one process. For the full picture of how attestation works, read What Is Certificate Attestation?
Which Documents Need Notary Attestation?
Documents that are commonly notarised and then attested include:
- General power of attorney and special power of attorney
- Affidavits, declarations and wills
- Commercial documents such as board resolutions, commercial agreements and company documents
- Copies of personal documents that must be certified as true copies (see Certified True Copy)
- Educational and personal certificates issued abroad, where the issuing country requires notarisation as the first step (for example, degree certificate attestation)
Notary Public Attestation for Documents Issued in the UAE
Documents signed in the UAE, such as a power of attorney or an affidavit, are notarised by a UAE notary public. In Dubai this is done by the Dubai Courts notary public (in person or online through the Dubai Courts portal with UAE Pass) or by a private notary authorised to practise in Dubai. Government notaries generally require the document in Arabic, or with a legal Arabic translation, and the signer usually needs a valid Emirates ID and passport.
If the notarised document will be used outside the UAE, it then typically needs:
- Attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
- Legalization by the embassy or consulate of the destination country in the UAE (see Embassy Legalization Services)
- A legal translation, if the destination country requires one (see Translation Services)
We take care of these attestation and legalization steps once your document is notarised, and we can advise you on the notarisation requirements before you sign.
Notary Attestation for Documents Issued Abroad
For documents issued in another country and needed in the UAE, notarisation is usually the first link in the chain. A typical sequence is:
- Notarisation by a notary public in the issuing country
- Authentication by the relevant state or national authority (for example, the education ministry for a degree)
- Attestation by that country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Attestation by the UAE Embassy or Consulate in that country
- Final attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The exact chain depends on the country and the document. Some countries use an apostille in place of several of these steps. We handle documents from 140+ countries, and you do not need to travel. See our apostille services and country-by-country attestation.
Notary vs. Attestation vs. Apostille
Notarisation confirms a signature, identity or copy. Attestation is the chain of government and embassy stamps that makes a document valid for use in another country. An apostille is a single certificate that replaces the embassy chain between countries that are both members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Many documents need notarisation first and then either attestation or an apostille, depending on where the document was issued and where it will be used.
Documents Required for Notary Attestation
- The original document (or the draft, for a power of attorney or affidavit that has not been signed yet)
- A copy of the signer’s passport, and Emirates ID for UAE residents
- Details of the country and authority where the document will be used
- An Arabic or other legal translation, where required
Requirements vary by document and destination, so we confirm the exact list when you send us your document.
How Our Notary Attestation Service Works
- Send your document: share a photo on WhatsApp or by email and tell us where it will be used.
- Get a clear quote: we confirm whether notarisation is needed, list every attestation step, and quote before you commit.
- Free collection: we collect the documents from your home or office anywhere in the UAE.
- Attestation: we take the document through MOFA, the relevant embassy or the home-country chain, and keep you updated.
- Delivery: we return the attested document to you.
Read more about our full range of attestation services in the UAE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is notary attestation?
Notary attestation is a two-part process: a notary public first notarises the document (verifying the signature, identity or copy), and the notarised document is then attested by the government authorities, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an embassy, so it is accepted in another country.
Where can I get a document notarised in Dubai?
In Dubai, documents are notarised by the Dubai Courts notary public, either in person or online through the Dubai Courts portal with UAE Pass, or by a private notary authorised to practise in Dubai. Once the document is notarised, we handle the attestation steps that follow.
Does a notarised document need MOFA attestation?
If the notarised document will be used outside the UAE, it usually needs attestation by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then legalization by the destination country’s embassy or consulate. Requirements depend on the destination country, so we confirm them before starting.
Do documents from my home country need to be notarised before UAE attestation?
In many countries, yes. Notarisation is often the first step before the state or national authorities, the foreign ministry and the UAE Embassy attest the document. Some countries use an apostille instead. We can arrange the full chain from the UAE without you travelling.
Does the document need to be in Arabic?
Government notaries in Dubai generally require documents in Arabic or with a legal Arabic translation. The authority receiving your document may also require a translation. We can arrange legal translation as part of the process.
How long does notary attestation take in Dubai?
It depends on the document, the country it was issued in, and the authorities involved. We give you an estimated timeline with your quote, based on your document and where it will be used.
Need a Notarised Document Attested?
Send us a photo of your document on WhatsApp. We'll confirm whether it needs notarisation, list every attestation step, and give you a free quote.