Legal drafting
Declaration of residency in the UAE: what it says and how it is notarised
A declaration of residency is your own signed statement of where you live, since when, and at what address, for use by an office that asks for it, usually abroad. In the UAE it is drafted, then signed before a notary, who verifies your identity and notarises the declaration. We draft it for the office that will read it, in English and Arabic, and you sign before our in-house notary public. We have in-house, in person notary public services, online notary public services and home visit notary services.
Foreign banks, pension funds, tax advisers, schools and courts ask for it. Each wants something slightly different, and a declaration that answers the wrong question is sent back. So we start with the office that asked, not with a template.
Who asks for a declaration of residency
- Foreign banks, to update your address and tax status on an account at home.
- Pension funds and social security offices, to confirm you are alive and living at a given address before paying a pension abroad.
- Schools and universities abroad, for fee status or admission.
- Foreign courts and registries, in inheritance, divorce or property matters, to establish where a party lives.
- Tax advisers, as supporting evidence alongside official documents.
The wording
What the declaration should say
Checklist
Declaration of residency
1
Your identity Full name as in the passport, nationality, passport number and Emirates ID number.
2
Your address Full residential address in the UAE, with building, unit and area, matching your tenancy contract or title deed.
3
The period Since when you have lived in the UAE, and at this address, stated as dates.
4
Your status Resident on a UAE residence visa, with the visa type if the office asks.
5
The purpose One line on what the declaration is for, and for whom.
6
The declaration That the information is true to your knowledge, in the words the office asks for, if it gave any.
7
Attachments Emirates ID, passport and tenancy contract copies, listed.
If the office sent you its own form, we fill that in rather than write a new document, and check it against your IDs.
Step by step
Declaration of residency notarization: the steps
01
Send us the request from the office that asked, and your Emirates ID, passport and tenancy contract.
02
We draft the declaration in English and Arabic, in the form the office needs.
03
You check it
Dates and addresses are where errors hide.
04
Sign with our notary
You sign before our in-house notary public, in person, online or on a home visit, with your original Emirates ID or passport.
05
The notary verifies your identity and notarises the declaration.
06
Attestation if needed
For use abroad, the declaration usually goes to the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFAIC) for attestation, then to the embassy of the receiving country. MOFAIC's fee is AED 150 for a personal document.
Watch for
Why a declaration gets sent back
01
The address does not match the tenancy contract attached.
02
The period of residence is given as "several years" instead of dates.
03
The office wanted its own form, and received a free text letter.
04
The declaration was notarised but not attested, and the office abroad wanted attestation.
05
The name follows an old passport and the office holds the new one.
Prices
Fees
| Service | Our service price |
|---|---|
| Declaration of residency | From AED 600 |
| Courier pickup and delivery (add-on) | From AED 80 |
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 all prices on the legal document fees page. For other declarations and affidavits, see our document drafting and notarization service.
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.
Is a declaration of residency the same as a residence certificate?
No. A declaration is your statement, notarised. A certificate is issued by an authority. If the office asks for a certificate, ask them whether a notarised declaration is acceptable before you pay for one.
Can I declare residency at an address where I am not the tenant?
Yes, if you live there, but say so, and attach proof, such as a letter from the tenant or owner. An address that does not match any document you attach will be questioned.
Do I need to attend in person?
Yes, before the notary, with your original ID. If you are temporarily abroad, you can sign before an accredited UAE consul or a local notary, with attestation.
How long is a declaration of residency valid?
It speaks as of the date you sign it. Many offices only accept a recent one.
Have your declaration drafted
Call or WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790, or email support@notariolawyersuae.com with the request you received. Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7.
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Document drafting and notarization in Dubai: we write the clauses, prepare the Arabic text and book the notary, so your document is ready to sign.
Sources for this page
- Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024, fee table items 8 and 12: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2491/download
- MOFAIC attestation fees: https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/faqs
- Hague Apostille Convention status table: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41
- Federal Tax Authority, Tax Residency Certificate user manual: https://tax.gov.ae/en/services/issuance.of.tax.residency.certificate.aspx