What Are the General Requirements for Notarizing Documents in the UAE?

The ‘Notary Public’ term refers to those who are accredited, authorized, or licensed by the Judicial Department to attest and notarize customary documents and to practice all functions specified under the Law.  

The term covers the Notary Public and the Private Notary, as well as the Government Notary, who is authorized by the Judicial Department to carry out notarial acts within the jurisdiction of his/her department, either for the interest of the public or in service of the employees.  

Who Is a Public Notary? 

The Notary Public has the competence to notarize documents and records as required by the law or as requested by a concerned party, authenticate signatures of concerned parties – at their request, and verify the date of customary documents.  

Besides, he is in charge of attesting and notarizing all declarations and affirmations, and affixing the executive wording on any attested documents, according to the provisions of the law.  

Documents to be notarized must not be in contravention with the law or the public order, and must not fall under the notary prohibitions, or under any other local jurisdiction, as prescribed in Article No. (1) of the Law No. (11) of 2017 concerning the Notary Public in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. 

How to Get Something Notarized? 

If you are a member of the public who needs to have a document notarized, there are several steps you can take to prepare for a smooth notarization. This short guide will explain what customers must bring to a Notary Public and what to expect when requesting notarial services.  

 What Type of Notarization? 

As the signer, you must tell the Notary what type of notarization you need.  Notaries can describe what the primary notarial acts are, but they cannot recommend one over another. It is illegal for a Notary Public to give advice like this unless they are also a licensed attorney.  

Generally, notarizations come in three basic types:  

1. Acknowledgments: The purpose of an acknowledgment is to declare that you have willingly signed a document.  

2. Jurats: The purpose of a jurat is for you to swear or affirm that the contents of the document are true.  

3. Copy Certifications: The purpose of a certified copy is to have the Notary confirm that the copy is an exact match of the original.  

 Make Sure the Document Is Complete 

A document must be complete for a Notary to perform a notarization. Be sure there are no blank spaces on your document before you notarize it, because that could make the document susceptible to fraud. An empty line for an interest rate information on a loan document may cause serious trouble for the borrower if the information is added after the form is notarized.  

 Bring Acceptable Identification 

The primary duty of a Notary Public is to verify your identity as the document signer. The most common way they determine that you are who you say you are, is by checking state-issued identification documents, like driver’s licenses and passports. Notaries need to see a form of identification that meets requirements set by state law.  

If you have recently changed your legal name due to marriage, divorce or other reasons, be sure that the ID you bring to the notarization matches your name shown on the document.  

 Be Willing to Sign 

One of the basic duties of a Notary is to screen document signers for willingness and awareness. That means a Notary will check that you are mentally aware and 

alert at the time of the notarization, and that you are signing the document voluntarily and not under duress.  

 What You Need to Bring to a Notary 

When you are preparing for a notarization, double-check that you have all essential items for the process to go smoothly. Here is what you’ll need to bring with you when getting something notarized:  

1. The completed document you wish to notarize;  

2. Valid photo ID that meets state requirements;  

3. Any other individuals (with proper ID) who will be signing the document; 4. Payment for notarial services.  

 Can Any Document Be Notarized, and What Can’t I Notarize? Virtually any document can be notarized. However, exceptions are vital records such as a birth, marriage and death certificates. Notaries cannot make or certify copies of these records. You must go to the government agency that issued the certificate to get copies.  

Choosing a Qualified Notary Public 

In most cases, customers are dealing with papers containing highly sensitive information when seeking the services of a Notary Public. So, it is important to find a qualified Notary who understands your state’s laws.  Offering high-standard notary services in Dubai and other emirates of UAE that suit the needs and requirements of clients, Notary Public Dubai is here to help you with all legalization of personal/corporate documents and transactions.