You can get a certified true copy in Dubai from a Dubai Courts notary public service centre or any private notary office that Dubai Courts has licensed to perform the same function — bring your original document and a valid ID, and most offices can certify a copy the same day without a prior appointment.
Where Can I Get a Certified True Copy in Dubai?
Two kinds of office can issue one in Dubai, both working from the same Dubai Courts framework:
- Dubai Courts notary public service centres — the government notary service itself.
- Private notary offices licensed by Dubai Courts — independent offices authorised to perform the same certification function, typically found across Dubai’s business districts, so there is usually one closer to you than a Dubai Courts centre itself.
Either option produces the same result: a notary-stamped copy that confirms it matches your original. If you are not sure which licensed office is nearest you, contact us and we can point you to one or handle the certification for you.
What Documents Can Be Certified This Way?
A notary can certify a true copy of almost any original document you can bring in and present for a side-by-side check — a passport, Emirates ID, degree certificate, bank statement, or similar paperwork a UAE authority has asked you to submit as a copy.
- The notary is only confirming the copy matches what is in your hand — it is not checking or vouching for the document’s underlying authenticity.
- If what you actually need is for a foreign authority, embassy or government body to recognise the document itself as genuine — not just confirm a photocopy matches it — that is certificate attestation, a separate and longer process (see the comparison section below).
What Do I Need to Bring?
Requirements vary slightly between notary offices, but most ask for the same basics:
- Your original document — a photo or scan is not accepted; the notary needs to check the physical original.
- A valid form of ID for yourself, usually your Emirates ID or passport.
- A clear photocopy of the page(s) the receiving authority asked for.
- An authorisation letter if someone else is submitting the document on your behalf — most notary offices will not accept a document from anyone other than its owner without one.
Certified True Copy vs. Attestation: What's the Difference?
These two get confused often, but they answer different questions. Notarisation confirms a copy is an accurate match of the original you presented. Attestation is a separate chain of authentication — typically running through a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, for foreign documents, an embassy — that confirms the underlying document itself is genuine, so another country or authority can recognise it.
- A certified true copy is usually enough for day-to-day requests — banks, schools, and most UAE government counters.
- Full attestation is what you need when a foreign authority specifically asks for an attested copy, or when the document needs to be legalised for use outside the UAE.
- See our guides on what a certified true copy is and how true copy attestation differs from plain notarisation for the fuller breakdown.
Do I Need an Appointment?
Not usually. Dubai Courts notary centres generally run on a token or walk-in system, and licensed private notary offices typically accept walk-ins as well, though booking ahead can save time at busier locations.
- Dubai Courts also offers some notary services online for UAE Pass holders, but a true copy of a physical document like a passport or degree certificate usually still requires the original to be checked in person — confirm this with your chosen notary office before relying on an online route.
How Much Does It Cost and How Long Does It Take?
Fees and turnaround vary by notary office and document type, and are not centrally published, so treat any figure you see elsewhere as indicative only. Most certified true copies are issued the same day you visit. Contact us for a specific estimate once we know your document and which office you would like to use.
What About Abu Dhabi or Other Emirates?
Abu Dhabi runs the equivalent service through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) rather than Dubai Courts — often listed as a “Duplicate Copy” service, available through ADJD-authorised notaries in person or digitally via the TAMM Abu Dhabi platform or the ADJD app. Our guide on getting a certified true copy of your passport in Dubai & Abu Dhabi covers that process in more detail.
Why Choose Attest Dubai for Certified True Copies?
We can point you to a licensed notary office near you, confirm exactly which documents and ID you need to bring, and handle the full attestation chain alongside the notarised copy if your situation turns out to need both.
- One point of contact whether you need a simple notarised copy or the fuller MOFA attestation chain.
- Clear guidance on which one your specific request actually calls for, before you make a trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a certified true copy in Dubai?
At a Dubai Courts notary public service centre, or at any private notary office licensed by Dubai Courts to perform the same certification — both produce the same notary-stamped result.
Do I need my original document to get a certified true copy?
Yes. A notary needs to check your physical original document against the copy before stamping it; a photo or scan is not accepted for this step.
Is a certified true copy the same as an attested document?
No. A certified true copy only confirms a copy matches your original. Attestation is a separate process — usually through the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, for foreign documents, an embassy — that confirms the underlying document itself is genuine for use elsewhere.
Can I get a certified true copy without visiting a notary office in person?
Usually not for documents like a passport, Emirates ID or degree certificate — the original still needs to be checked in person at most notary offices, even where some notary services are offered online.
Can someone else get a certified true copy of my document on my behalf?
Often yes, with a signed authorisation letter, though requirements vary by notary office. Check with your chosen office before sending someone else in your place.
What documents does a certified true copy work for?
Most original documents a UAE authority will let you present for a side-by-side check — common examples include passports, Emirates ID, degree certificates and bank statements. Documents needing international recognition, rather than just a verified copy, need full attestation instead.
Sources: PropertyFinder — Passport Copy Attestation in Dubai; Gulf News — How to notarise documents in the UAE; Bayut — A complete guide to the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD); Gulf News — Attest, Notarise, Certify: What’s the Difference?. Last reviewed: 25 October 2026.
Need a Certified True Copy Near You?
Tell us which document you need copied and where you are in Dubai — we will point you to a licensed notary office, confirm what to bring, and handle full attestation alongside it if your situation needs that too.
