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A clear guide to notarisation in UAE for founders and SMBs: when it is required, costs, online options, and how it differs from attestation. Get it right first time.
Notarisation in UAE is the official process by which a licensed notary confirms the authenticity of a document, verifies the signatories, and gives that document legal effect that courts and government bodies across the Emirates will recognise. For founders and SMBs, you need it whenever the law demands a verified, enforceable record: powers of attorney, share sale contracts, board resolutions, eviction notices, and non-Muslim wills. Getting this step right early prevents rejected filings, stalled transactions, and disputes later on.
Key Takeaways
- UAE law recognises both public and private notaries, and gives legal effect to electronic documents and e-signatures notarised under its provisions.
- Once the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department notarises a document, it is valid throughout the United Arab Emirates.
- ADJD notary fees start at AED 500 for documents under AED 50,000, rising to 0.5% of value (capped at AED 20,000) above AED 200,000.
- Notarisation and attestation are different: notarisation is often the first step in the attestation chain that ends with MOFAIC.
- The UAE is not a Hague Apostille member, so an apostille alone is not valid here.
What Notarisation in UAE Actually Means
Notarisation is the formal act of certifying a document so that it carries official legal weight. A notary verifies identities, witnesses signatures, and confirms the date and content of the document.
Under the governing law, the UAE recognises both public notaries and private notaries. Importantly, the law expressly gives legal effect to electronic documents and electronic signatures notarised in line with its provisions, as detailed by the UAE Ministry of Justice.
Moreover, the framework applies to everyone performing notarial duties across the country, including inside free zones. Meanwhile, local judicial authorities may regulate notarial services through supplementary local legislation.
Public notary vs private notary in Dubai
The Dubai Public Notary operates under Dubai Courts and handles official notarisation for personal, corporate, and legal documents. In contrast, a group of law firms is licensed by the Dubai government to provide services parallel to public notaries.
The main difference is convenience: private notary services in Dubai can be delivered online and 24/7. However, some licensed private notaries may only notarise specific documents designated by Dubai Courts, and they cannot notarise personal documents, certify true copies, or handle affidavits and settlement agreements.
| Feature | Public Notary (Dubai Courts) | Private Notary (licensed law firms) |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Court working hours | Online, 24/7 |
| Document scope | Broad: personal, corporate, legal | Often limited to designated documents |
| True copies / affidavits | Yes | Some cannot |
| Authority | Dubai Courts | Dubai government licence |
When Founders and SMBs Need Notarisation in UAE
You need notarisation whenever a document must be legally binding, enforceable, or accepted by a court or government authority. The UAE Government Portal sets out several common triggers.
Common personal and legal triggers
- When you appoint an attorney to represent you before court, that attorney must present a notarised notarised Power of Attorney.
- If a landlord wishes to evict a tenant, they must serve a notarised legal notice.
- Families in Dubai regulating common family ownership must notarise their family ownership contract.
Common corporate documents
For businesses, notarisation supports the moments that carry legal and financial risk. Corporate documents commonly notarised include:
- Contract addendums and amendments.
- Share and shop sale contracts.
- Board resolutions to dissolve and liquidate companies.
- Wills of non-Muslims and their revocation.
Because these documents often anchor a transaction, notarising them correctly protects your corporate structure and reduces the chance of a challenge later. For document preparation and certification, our Notarisation Support UAE team prepares affidavits, declarations, contracts, and corporate documents for notarisation through Dubai Courts, the Abu Dhabi Notary, and online notary channels. Before you draft a will, our will drafting support helps non-Muslims prepare enforceable estate documents.
How Much Notarisation in UAE Costs and Where to Do It
Costs vary by emirate and by the value of the underlying document. As of 2026, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department publishes a clear fee scale, which gives you a reliable reference point.
Abu Dhabi notary fees
| Document value | ADJD notary fee |
|---|---|
| Under AED 50,000 or unspecified value | AED 500 |
| AED 50,000 to AED 200,000 | AED 1,000 |
| Above AED 200,000 | 0.5% of value, capped at AED 20,000 |
Notably, once ADJD notarises a document, it is valid throughout the United Arab Emirates. However, ADJD cannot currently notarise company documents such as an MOA or share transfer agreement for companies registered in the other six Emirates. It can, though, notarise Powers of Attorney for companies registered in any of the seven Emirates.
Notarising documents online
Digital options have expanded quickly. Furthermore, the Ministry of Justice offers a fully digital E-Notary service accessed through the MOJ Unified Gate or UAE PASS.
In addition, Abu Dhabi launched an English-language Notary Services Bureau in October 2023, the first of its kind in the region, providing digital notary services for transactions notarised in English. Consequently, founders who work in English can now notarise many documents without a physical visit. If you are unsure which route fits your matter, a short legal consultation can save time.
Notarisation vs Attestation: Why the Difference Matters
Notarisation and attestation are different processes, and confusing them is a common, costly mistake. Notarisation confirms a document locally; attestation prepares it for cross-border or higher-level official use.
In practice, notarisation is often the first step in the attestation chain. First, you notarise the document. Next, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs attests it. Finally, the relevant embassy attests it for international use.
The UAE and the Hague Apostille
Because the UAE is not a Hague Apostille member, a document bearing only an apostille is not legally valid here. Therefore, all foreign-issued documents must complete the full consular legalisation chain: home-country authentication, UAE Embassy attestation, and final MOFAIC attestation.
Similarly, UAE-issued documents intended for use abroad cannot receive an apostille. Instead, MOFAIC attests them, after which the destination country’s embassy or consulate in the UAE legalises them. For end-to-end handling, our attestation team manages each stage. Where a notarised document later underpins a transaction, our legal due diligence support helps confirm the paperwork is watertight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between notarisation and attestation in the UAE?
Notarisation certifies a document locally, while attestation prepares it for higher-level or international use. Notarisation is often the first step, followed by MOFA attestation and then embassy attestation for use abroad, as set out by MOFAIC.
Which law governs notarisation in the UAE?
UAE federal notary law governs notarisation and recognises both public and private notaries. It also gives legal effect to electronic documents and e-signatures notarised under its provisions, and it applies to all persons performing notarial duties, including in free zones.
How much does it cost to notarise a document in Abu Dhabi?
ADJD charges AED 500 for documents under AED 50,000 or of unspecified value. Documents between AED 50,000 and AED 200,000 cost AED 1,000, while documents above AED 200,000 are charged 0.5% of value, capped at AED 20,000.
Can I notarise documents online in the UAE?
Yes, you can notarise many documents online in the UAE. The Ministry of Justice offers a fully digital E-Notary service via the MOJ Unified Gate or UAE PASS, and Abu Dhabi’s English-language Notary Services Bureau provides digital notarisation for English transactions.
Is a document notarised in one emirate valid across the whole UAE?
Yes, once the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department notarises a document, it is valid throughout the United Arab Emirates. However, ADJD cannot currently notarise MOAs or share transfer agreements for companies registered in the other six Emirates.
Does the UAE accept apostilled documents?
No, the UAE is not a Hague Apostille member, so a document bearing only an apostille is not valid here. Foreign documents must complete the full legalisation chain, ending with MOFAIC attestation.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or regulatory advice. Rules and fees in the UAE change frequently. Before acting on anything you read here, speak to a qualified advisor — we are happy to help.