Q
Guide: Certified True Copy ยท 6 minute read
Where to Get Certified True Copy of Documents in Dubai: Notary, Lawyer or Issuing Office
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Where to get certified true copy of documents depends on who will read the copy. The issuing office, a lawyer and a notary public can each certify a copy, and the receiving office decides which one it accepts. Our in-house notary public checks your original against the copy and certifies it, in person at our Battuta Gate office, online or on a home visit.
At a Glance
A certified true copy is a copy that someone with authority has checked against the original.
Three places can certify it: the issuing office, a lawyer or a notary public.
The receiving office decides which copy it accepts. Ask first.
The notary checks the identity, capacity and consent of the people involved and applies the seal.
Bring the original, not a copy of a copy.
WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790 and tell us which document you need certified and who will receive it.
Where to Get Certified True Copy of Documents in Dubai
Most people search "where can I get a certified true copy" with a deadline close behind. The fastest way to lose time is to certify a copy and then learn the receiving office wanted another kind. Ask the bank, school, employer or embassy one question first: "Who must certify the copy?"
Then pick from the three places below. Knowing where to get certified true copy of documents saves you a second trip.
Side by side
The Issuing Office Copy, the Notary Copy and the Lawyer Copy
| Place | What it is | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing office | The body that issued the document confirms a copy | The receiving office asks for a copy from the issuer |
| Notary public | A notary checks the copy against your original and seals it | The receiving office asks for a notary certified copy |
| Lawyer | A lawyer certifies the copy under their own name | The receiving office accepts a lawyer's certification |
In Dubai, a private notary is a lawyer licensed by Dubai Courts to carry out notarial acts. Notarial acts in the UAE are regulated by Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022. A lawyer's own certification and a notary's act are not the same thing, so check which one the receiving office names. Our page on a lawyer certified copy or a notary certified copy explains the difference.
Where to Certify an ID or Passport Copy
People often ask where can I get my ID certified. The answer is the same as for any document: take the original to the place the receiving office names. Our in-house notary public checks your original passport or Emirates ID against the copy, then certifies it.
Some points to remember:
- Bring the original, because a copy of a copy is not accepted.
- Bring a second form of ID if you have one.
- Tell us which office will receive the copy.
- Do not sign or write on the copy yourself.
Which Copy the Receiving Office Will Accept
Every receiving office has its own rule. A bank may ask for one kind, an embassy for another, and a free zone for a third. We cannot tell you what a particular office will accept, so ask them. If you send us their written request, we read it with you.
If the copy goes abroad, certification is only the first step. A document going abroad is attested by MOFAIC, then by the destination country's embassy or consulate in the UAE. MOFAIC fees are AED 150 for personal documents and AED 2,000 for commercial documents. See the MOFAIC attestation page and our guide to attesting documents from MOFA.
Checklist
What to Bring When You Certify Documents
The original document.
Your passport or Emirates ID.
The request from the receiving office, if you have one.
The number of copies you need.
For a foreign document, any translation you already hold.
In Dubai, a notarised instrument is in Arabic, or comes with a certified Arabic translation signed with it. If your document is in another language, we prepare the Arabic text through a legal translator.
Step by step
How We Certify Your Copy
01
Send us a photo of the document and the name of the office that asked for it.
02
We tell you what the document needs and confirm a starting price.
03
You bring the original to our office, or we visit you.
04
Our in-house notary public checks your original and the copy.
05
The notary applies the seal and we hand you the certified copy.
Our office is on the 10th floor of the Battuta Gate offices, Dubai. You can sign before our in-house notary public in person at our office, online or on a home visit. We tell you if your document can be done online. Home visits are quoted on request.
For more on what the notary checks, read notarized document requirements in the UAE.
Watch for
Mistakes That Get a Copy Refused
01
Certifying a copy before the receiving office has said what it accepts.
02
Bringing a photocopy instead of the original.
03
Using a laminated original.
04
Signing the copy yourself.
05
Skipping attestation when the copy goes abroad.
Prices
Fees
| Service | Our service price | Government fee, paid on top at cost |
|---|---|---|
| Certified true copy | from AED 400 | None for the copy itself |
| MOFAIC attestation handling, personal document | from AED 150 | MOFAIC fee, at cost |
| Legal translation | from AED 50 per page | None |
All service prices are starting prices and are negotiable. Government fees are paid on top, at cost, exactly as the authority charges them. We confirm your final price before you pay. See also the cost of notarising a legal document in Dubai.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
If your question is not here, ask it on WhatsApp. Tell us what the document is for and who will sign it.
Where can I get a certified true copy?
You can get one from the issuing office, a lawyer or a notary public. Ask the receiving office which it accepts. If it asks for a notary certified copy, our in-house notary public certifies it.
Where can I get my ID certified?
Take your original ID to the place the receiving office names. We certify copies of an ID at our office, online or on a home visit, and our notary checks your original against the copy. Ask us if your document can be done online.
Where can I certify my passport copy in Dubai?
Our in-house notary public checks your original passport against the copy and certifies it. Bring the original and tell us which office will receive the copy. If the copy goes abroad, it usually needs attestation next.
Who can certify documents in the UAE?
It depends on the document and the receiving office. The issuing office, a lawyer or a notary public can certify a copy. In Dubai, a private notary is a lawyer licensed by Dubai Courts to carry out notarial acts.
Where do you certify a document?
For where to get certified true copy of documents, use the place the receiving office says to. With us, you sign before our in-house notary public in person at our Battuta Gate office, online or on a home visit. If you need a court case, a dispute or representation, you need a practising advocate; we prepare documents.
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Send Us Your Document
Call or WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790, or email support@notariolawyersuae.com. Tell us what the document is for and who will sign it, and we will reply with what it needs and a starting price. Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7.
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