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A certified true copy is a photocopy that a notary signs and stamps to confirm it is a true and accurate copy of the original. It works when an office asks for a copy for its records, but not for MOFA: MOFA attestation needs the original document.
Certified copy or attested original?
This is the question that matters most, because people often certify a copy when the receiving office actually wanted the original attested.
| What the receiving office asks for | What you need |
|---|---|
| "Certified copy" or "true copy" for its records | A notary-certified copy from a Dubai notary |
| "Attested" document for a UAE visa, job or court | The original, attested through the full chain ending in MOFA |
| A copy legalised for use abroad | A copy certified first, then the destination country's chain |
| A translation for a UAE office | A legal translation; the translator's signature can be notarised |
If the instruction just says "attested", assume the original is needed. If it says "certified copy", ask whether a Dubai notary certification is enough or whether the copy must be certified in the country that issued the document.
Dubai notary fees that apply
Our price: AED 450 per page for a certified true copy attested by a lawyer, by appointment. Copy only the pages the receiving office asked for.
Every official fee and the courier are included in the total price you get before any work starts. See notary public in Dubai.
How to get a certified true copy in Dubai
- Bring the original. The notary must see the original to certify the copy. A copy of a copy cannot be certified as a true copy of the original.
- Choose the notary. A Dubai Courts notary, a licensed private notary, or the Dubai Courts electronic notary service. In emirates under the federal courts, the Ministry of Justice e-Notary works through UAE PASS.
- Copy every page needed. The fee is per page, so copy only what the receiving office asked for, but never leave out a page with stamps or signatures on it.
- Notary certifies. The notary compares the copy with the original and adds the certification, signature, stamp and date.
- Check the receiving office accepts it. Some foreign authorities want the copy certified in the country that issued the document, not in Dubai.
When a certified true copy is not enough
MOFA attestation. MOFA's rules say the document must be original, or a digital original with a QR code, already attested by the issuing authority, in Arabic or English or officially translated, and not laminated. A certified copy does not replace the original. See MOFA attestation requirements.
Visa and work permit files. When GDRFA, ICP or a work permit asks for an attested degree, marriage certificate or birth certificate, the original goes through the chain. See documents to attest for a UAE family visa.
When a certified copy is part of the chain
Sometimes a certified copy is exactly what the home country chain needs:
- United Kingdom. The FCDO requires copies, qualification certificates and powers of attorney to be certified by a UK notary or solicitor before legalisation. Public registry and government documents do not need this. See UK certificate attestation.
- Germany. The UAE route for German academic documents starts with a true copy from the university. See Germany certificate attestation.
In both cases the certification is done in the issuing country, not in Dubai.
Certified copies of translations
MOFA accepts documents in Arabic or English, or with a legally certified translation. In the UAE, legal translators must be licensed by the Ministry of Justice. A Dubai notary can attest the translator's signature if a receiving office wants it. See legal translation in Dubai.
What we do
We are a private document service, not a notary office and not MOFA. We tell you if your receiving office needs a certified copy or the attested original, arrange the notary step where it applies, and run the full attestation chain when the original is needed. UAE documents that need MOFA attestation only start from AED 250 plus VAT, all official fees included. For anything else, send a copy on WhatsApp and you get the total price, all official fees included, before any work starts. See attestation fees.
Not sure whether an office wants the original or a copy? Our article on original or copy for attestation sets out what MOFA and the foreign ministries accept.
What to bring
Bring the original, your passport or Emirates ID, and a note of exactly which pages the receiving office wants. If the original is in a language other than Arabic or English, ask the receiving office whether it also wants a translation. After certification, check that the stamp, signature and date are on the copy and that every page is included.
Common mistakes with certified copies
- Certifying a copy when the original had to be attested. Ask the receiving office which they want, in writing.
- Certifying in Dubai when the issuing country's certification was needed. Typical with UK qualification certificates.
- Missing pages. A copy without the back page, where stamps often sit, can be refused.
- Laminated originals. A notary can copy them, but MOFA will not attest the original. See why attestation gets rejected.
