Q
Guide: Affidavits and Declarations ยท 5 minute read
Difference Between Notary and Affidavit: Who Does What in the UAE
A
The difference between notary and affidavit is simple: a notary is a person, and an affidavit is a document. The affidavit is your written statement. The notary is the one who checks who you are and notarises it. We draft the affidavit and check every clause, and our in-house notary public notarises it in person at our Battuta Gate office, online or on a home visit.
At a Glance
A notary is a person with a role. An affidavit is a paper with your statement on it.
An affidavit is a sworn statement. The notary is who watches you sign it.
A notarised document is any document a notary has notarised. An affidavit is only one kind.
Not every notarised document is an affidavit, and not every affidavit is the same.
The office that receives your paper decides what it accepts.
WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790 and tell us what your affidavit is for.
Difference Between Notary and Affidavit: A Person and a Document
Many people ask if notary and affidavit are the same. They are not. People mix them up because an affidavit is often signed in front of a notary.
A notary is a person who carries out notarial acts. In Dubai, a private notary is a lawyer licensed by Dubai Courts to carry out notarial acts, and Dubai also has a Government notary public at Dubai Courts. Notarial acts in the UAE are regulated by Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 on the regulation of the notary profession.
An affidavit, by its meaning, is a written statement of facts that you confirm as yours. It is the content. The notary does not write your facts for you and does not say they are true. The notary checks the identity, capacity and consent of the people signing and applies the seal.
How an Affidavit Is Sworn Before a Notary
The usual order is:
01
You tell us what the affidavit is for and who will receive it.
02
We draft the document and check every clause.
03
If it must be in Arabic, we prepare the Arabic text through a legal translator.
04
You sign before our in-house notary public, in person at our office, online or on a home visit.
05
The notary checks your ID and applies the seal.
In Dubai, a notarised instrument is in Arabic, or comes with a certified Arabic translation signed with it (Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013, Article 27). A translation for official use is done by a legal translator registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice.
Side by side
Notarised Document or Affidavit: Which You Need
The difference between notary and affidavit matters most when you read a request. Ask the receiving office what it wants. Its words tell you the route:
| If the request says | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| "Affidavit" or "sworn statement" | A statement of facts, signed and notarised |
| "Notarised letter" or "notarised document" | Any document that a notary has notarised |
| "Declaration" | Often the same idea, but the receiving office decides the wording it wants |
If you are unsure, send us the request. We tell you which document it needs. If typing is all you need, we will tell you so.
Common Affidavits in the UAE
These are documents we prepare and our in-house notary public notarises:
- Affidavit of support for a visiting relative or friend. See how to get an affidavit of support in Dubai.
- General affidavits and name affidavits.
- Declaration of residency. See our page on the declaration of residency.
Our page on notarised document requirements lists what the notary checks before signing.
Checklist
What to Bring
Your passport or Emirates ID.
The draft or details of what the affidavit must say.
The name of the office that will receive it.
Any supporting papers the receiving office asked for.
Watch for
Mistakes That Get the Document Refused
01
Signing before the notary has checked your identity.
02
Leaving blank fields.
03
Using wording the receiving office did not ask for.
04
Bringing a document in English when the office wants Arabic.
If your matter is a dispute or needs court work, you need a practising advocate. We prepare documents; we do not represent people in court. Our page explains whether a lawyer is a notary public.
Prices
Fees
| Item | Our service price | Government fee, paid on top at cost |
|---|---|---|
| Affidavit (general, name or support) | from AED 600 | AED 300 for executing and notarising an affidavit |
| Legal translation | from AED 50 per page | AED 50 per page for notarising a translation in the instrument |
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.
The government figures come from the federal schedule in Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024.
How We Prepare It
We draft the document, check every clause, prepare the Arabic text through a legal translator, and our in-house notary public notarises it. Our service is document drafting and notarization.
Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7.
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.
Are notary and affidavit the same?
No. The difference between notary and affidavit is that a notary is a person who carries out notarial acts, and an affidavit is a document with a sworn statement. They often meet because an affidavit is signed before a notary.
What is the difference between notarized and affidavit?
A notarised document is any paper a notary has notarised. An affidavit is one type of document, a sworn statement. An affidavit can be notarised, but not every notarised paper is an affidavit.
Does an affidavit need a notary?
It depends on the receiving office. Many ask for the affidavit to be notarised so the signer's identity is checked. Ask the office, or send us its request.
What is a notary affidavit?
People use the phrase for an affidavit that has been signed before a notary and notarised. The affidavit holds your statement, and the notary checks identity and applies the seal.
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Send Us Your Request
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. Message us on WhatsApp.
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