Certified Passport Copy in Dubai & Abu Dhabi
Certified & Attested Passport Copies, Done Right
A certified true copy of your passport is a notarized copy of its bio-data page — checked against your original and stamped by a notary public — that banks, schools, and government counters accept instead of your actual passport. Dubai issues it through Dubai Courts notary services; Abu Dhabi through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) via TAMM or an authorized notary.
What Is a Certified True Copy of a Passport?
A certified true copy of a passport is a photocopy of the bio-data page — and any other page a receiving authority names, such as a UAE residence visa or entry stamp — that a notary public has checked line by line against the original passport and then stamped and signed to confirm it is an exact match. That notary stamp is what lets a bank, school, employer, or government counter accept the copy instead of asking you to hand over the passport itself.
It is a different, narrower service from certificate attestation. Attestation authenticates a document issued through someone else’s system by routing it through government bodies such as a country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and, for foreign documents, an embassy. A passport is already a government-issued document, so its own authenticity is not usually in question — the notary’s job is only to confirm that the copy in your hand matches the original. See our guide on what certificate attestation means for how that longer chain works for documents that do need it.
How Do I Get a Certified Copy of My Passport in Dubai?
In Dubai, certified true copies of a passport are issued by a notary public — either at a Dubai Courts notary service centre or at a private notary office licensed by Dubai Courts to perform the same function.
- Bring your original passport and a clear photocopy of the page(s) that need certifying.
- Take a token or book an appointment at the notary centre, or visit your chosen licensed private notary office directly.
- The notary checks your original against the copy and confirms your identity before stamping and signing it.
- Pay the notary’s fee at the counter and collect your certified copy.
Fees and turnaround vary by notary office — most same-day — so confirm both when you book, or request a free quote and we will confirm current requirements and handle the visit for you.
How Do I Get a Certified Copy of My Passport in Abu Dhabi?
Abu Dhabi runs this through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) rather than Dubai Courts. ADJD lists the service among its notary public functions, often under “Duplicate Copy,” available in person through an ADJD-authorized public or private notary, or digitally through the TAMM Abu Dhabi platform or the ADJD app using a UAE Pass login.
As in Dubai, the notary needs your original passport to check against the copy. If you start the request through TAMM or the ADJD app, check the platform’s current document-upload requirements first, since some notarial services still require the original to be presented in person before the copy is certified. Confirm the current fee and turnaround with ADJD or your chosen notary, since both can vary by service type.
What Documents Do I Need to Bring?
Requirements vary slightly by notary office, but most applicants need:
- Your original passport — a photo or scan is not accepted; the notary needs to check the physical document.
- A valid form of ID for yourself — your Emirates ID if you are a UAE resident, or the same passport if you are not.
- A clear colour photocopy of the page(s) the receiving authority asked for — usually the bio-data page, sometimes a visa or entry-stamp page.
- An authorization letter if someone else is submitting on your behalf, since most notary offices will not accept a passport from anyone but its holder without one.
- A certified Arabic translation, only if the receiving authority specifically asks for the copy in Arabic — our legal translation team can confirm whether that applies.
Is a "Certified Copy" the Same as an "Attested Copy" of a Passport?
Not quite, and the two terms get used loosely by different authorities. A certified true copy only confirms that the copy matches your original passport — it is a notarization, not an attestation. An attested copy, strictly speaking, has also gone through a Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication chain. In practice, most banks, schools, and UAE government counters that ask for an “attested” passport copy actually mean the standard notarized true copy, since a passport’s authenticity is not normally in question.
If a specific receiving authority — particularly one outside the UAE — insists on a copy that has gone through full UAE MOFA attestation rather than notarization alone, tell us the exact wording the authority used and we will confirm which service applies.
Does a Passport Copy Ever Need Full UAE MOFA Attestation?
Occasionally. A notarized true copy is enough for the great majority of requests — it is what banks, schools, and most UAE government counters mean when they ask for one. Full attestation becomes relevant mainly when a foreign authority specifically needs the document recognized through the UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) chain, or when the copy needs to be legalized for use outside the UAE.
See our certified true copy service page for how we handle both the straightforward notarized copy and the full attestation chain when a document needs it, and our guide on what certificate attestation means and why you need it for how that broader chain works.
Who Asks for a Certified Passport Copy?
A certified true copy of a passport is one of the most commonly requested documents in the UAE, since few institutions will hold onto — or accept a plain photocopy of — your actual passport. Typical requesters include:
- Banks opening an account or processing a loan or mortgage application.
- Schools and universities registering a student.
- Employers and HR departments completing onboarding paperwork.
- Government service counters that require proof of identity on file.
- Landlords and real estate brokers finalising a tenancy contract.
Can Someone Else Get My Passport Copy Certified on My Behalf?
Often yes, with a signed authorization letter, though requirements vary by notary office. Most notaries will not accept a passport from anyone other than its holder without one, so confirm with your chosen notary office — or with us — before sending someone else in your place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a certified true copy of a passport?
It’s a photocopy of your passport’s bio-data page (and sometimes other pages) that a notary public has compared against the original and stamped and signed to confirm it’s an exact match — accepted in place of handing over your actual passport.
Where can I get a certified copy of my passport in Dubai?
At a Dubai Courts notary service centre or at a private notary office licensed by Dubai Courts. Bring your original passport and a photocopy of the relevant page(s).
Where can I get a certified copy of my passport in Abu Dhabi?
Through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) — at an ADJD-authorized notary in person, or digitally through the TAMM Abu Dhabi platform or the ADJD app, often listed as a “Duplicate Copy” service.
Do I need my original passport to get a certified copy made?
Yes. A notary needs to check your physical original passport against the copy before stamping it; a photo or scan isn’t accepted for this step.
Is a certified copy the same as an attested copy of a passport?
Not strictly. A certified true copy only confirms the copy matches your original; an attested copy has gone through a Ministry of Foreign Affairs authentication chain as well. Most authorities asking for an “attested” passport copy actually mean the notarized true copy.
How long does it take to get a passport copy certified?
Processing is usually same-day at most notary offices, though exact turnaround varies by office and how busy it is — confirm with your chosen notary or with us when you book.
What does it cost to get a passport copy certified?
Fees vary by notary office and are not centrally published, so we can’t quote a fixed figure here — contact us and we’ll confirm the current fee before you visit.
Can Attest Dubai arrange a certified passport copy for me?
Yes — tell us which page(s) need certifying and whether the receiving authority wants a Dubai or Abu Dhabi notary, and we’ll handle the booking and confirm requirements for you.
Do I need a certified passport copy translated into Arabic?
Only if the receiving authority specifically asks for the copy in Arabic. Our legal translation team can confirm whether that applies to your situation.
Can someone else get my passport copy certified on my behalf?
Often yes, with a signed authorization letter, though requirements vary by notary office. Check with your chosen notary office, or with us, before sending someone else in your place.
Sources: Dubai Courts notary public services; Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) notary services via TAMM Abu Dhabi. Notary fees and processing times are set by individual notary offices and are not centrally published, so none are quoted on this page — contact us for a current estimate. Last reviewed by Attest Dubai on 3 November 2026.
Need a Certified Passport Copy Today?
Tell us which page needs certifying and whether a Dubai or Abu Dhabi notary suits you best, and we’ll confirm the requirements and arrange it for you.