Notary Public
Definition
Government-authorised official who attests signatures and certifies legal documents. Mobile notary services come to the home or office anywhere in the UAE for same-day certification.
Also known as
- Official Notary
- Authorized Notary
Attributes
| Type | Notary Public |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | UAE |
| Governing authority | Ministry of Justice |
| Applicable law | UAE Civil Law |
| Reports to | Notary Public |
| Established by | Government |
| Area served | UAE |
What it is
A Notary Public in the UAE is a government-authorised official who certifies signatures, attests to the truth of declarations, and notarises legal documents — POAs, MOAs, board resolutions, declarations of solvency, transfers. Notaries operate under the UAE Ministry of Justice (Dubai Notary Public is part of the Dubai Government Courts). Both public-sector notary offices and licensed private 'mobile notaries' issue notarisations; the private channel is faster and offers home / office visits.
Key characteristics
- Authority
- UAE Ministry of Justice / Dubai Notary Public
- Channels
- Public notary offices + licensed private notaries (mobile)
- Languages
- Arabic — translations stamped to be accepted
How it works
The process of using a Notary Public generally involves the following steps: 1. **Document Preparation:** Prepare the document to be notarized, ensuring it is complete and accurate. 2. **Identification Verification:** The Notary Public verifies the identity of all parties involved, typically through government-issued identification documents. 3. **Document Review:** The Notary Public reviews the document to ensure it is legally sound and meets all requirements. 4. **Notarization:** The Notary Public affixes their official seal and signature to the document, along with a statement attesting to its authenticity. 5. **Document Retention:** The notarized document is retained by the Notary Public for a specified period.
Types of Notary Public
| Type | Description | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate Notary | Specialized notaries who handle documents related to businesses and corporations. | Used for corporate filings, contracts, and other business-related legal documents. |
| Individual Notary | Notaries who handle documents related to individuals. | Used for personal documents such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, and power of attorney. |
Examples
In the UAE, notarization is frequently required for opening corporate bank accounts, executing contracts, and legalizing documents for international use. For example, a UAE-based company may need to have its Articles of Association notarized to facilitate its registration with the relevant authorities. Notarization is also essential for legalizing documents such as marriage certificates or birth certificates for use in other countries. Furthermore, notarial services are often required for property transactions and other significant legal matters.
Why it matters
Notarised documents have full evidentiary weight before UAE courts and government bodies. Almost every corporate-action signing — bank account opening, license amendment, share transfer — passes through a notary.
Common misconceptions
Misconception
Notarization is only required for very complex legal documents.
Reality
Notarization is often required for a wide range of documents, even simple ones, to ensure their legal validity.
FAQs
- Can I use a mobile notary in Dubai?
- Yes. Licensed private notaries deliver mobile / on-demand services across Dubai, often same-day. Common for company formation (MOA notarisation), real-estate transactions, and family-court POAs. Verify the notary's Ministry of Justice licence before signing.
See also
- POA(Power of Attorney)
- MOA(Memorandum of Association)
- Board Resolution
- Legal Translation
- Notary & POA(Best Solution service)
For better understanding, see also
Sources
External references
Need help with Notary Public?
Notary & POA
