UAE notarial practice sits on Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 on the Regulation of the Notary Profession, its executive regulation in Cabinet Resolution No. 16 of 2024, and the fee schedule in Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024. This page links the official sources behind our guidance so you can check the current position yourself rather than take ours on trust.
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Article contents15 sections
- The Law Behind UAE Notarial Practice
- Browse guides by topic
- Start With Primary Authority Sources
- Federal UAE Notary Framework
- Dubai
- Abu Dhabi
- DIFC
- Cross-Border Documents
- Free-Zone Registrars
- How to Use Legal Sources Correctly
- Our Legal Document Approach
- Contact
- Core Official References
- Legal Disclaimer
- Related pages
The Law Behind UAE Notarial Practice
A practising lawyer does not automatically become a private notary. Article 31 of Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 permits a practising lawyer to perform private-notary duties only where the statutory conditions for private-notary admission are satisfied. Our website therefore describes our work carefully as legal advice, drafting, review and coordination of notary-related matters unless a formal notarial act is expressly being performed by the competent authorised notary.
Browse guides by topic
- Notary servicesHow notarisation works in the UAE, what it costs and what it does not cover.
- Power of AttorneyDrafting, notarising and using POAs inside the UAE and abroad.
- Corporate & commercialResolutions, incorporation papers and commercial agreements.
- Property & real estateSale, gift, mortgage and management documents for UAE property.
- Attestation & authenticationGetting documents accepted by UAE authorities and by bodies abroad.
- DIFC willsRegistering a will under the DIFC framework and what it governs.
- ADGM notaryNotarial and registration routes inside Abu Dhabi Global Market.
- Jurisdictions & free zonesWhich authority governs which document, and where to file it.
- Notices & enforcementLegal notices, acknowledgements of debt and enforcement documents.
- Personal & familyDeclarations, consents and family documents for personal matters.
Start With Primary Authority Sources
For regulated legal information, primary legislation and the competent authority's current service page should take priority over blogs, old fee tables or third-party summaries.
Federal UAE Notary Framework
Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 Regulating the Notary Profession
This is a core federal source for the regulation of notarial functions, public/private notaries, licensing and professional obligations.
Executive Regulations
Cabinet Resolution No. 16 of 2024 contains the Executive Regulations to the federal notary legislation.
Federal Fee Framework
Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024 addresses fees for public-notary transactions and private-notary fees under the federal framework.
UAE Ministry of Justice
Use the Ministry's current service directory/E-Notary information for federal notarial processes, authentication and current service channels where applicable.
Dubai
Dubai Courts
Dubai Courts is the primary official source for Dubai Courts notary-public services, service requirements and electronic channels.
Dubai Land Department
For property POAs and registered property transactions, DLD requirements should be checked separately from the notarial act.
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi Judicial Department
ADJD is the principal source for Abu Dhabi's notary framework, notary e-services and public/private notary information.
ADGM Courts Notary Public
ADGM Courts operates its Notary Public in partnership with ADJD. Current ADGM guidance covers eligible documents, authority, language, digital appointments and fees.
DIFC
DIFC Courts Notary Service
DIFC Courts operates a dedicated Notary Service established in 2025. Current official material explains virtual, in-person and automated true-copy notarisation and publishes its fee schedule.
DIFC Wills Service
Wills are a distinct service and should not be treated as an ordinary notary page.
Cross-Border Documents
UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs
MOFA is a primary source for UAE document-attestation services. Always check the current requirements for documents issued in the UAE or abroad.
Embassies and Consulates
Where consular legalisation is required, use the official mission/foreign-ministry instructions for the relevant country.
Free-Zone Registrars
Use the current official registrar source for each transaction: – DMCC for DMCC companies; – JAFZA for JAFZA entities; – RAKEZ for RAKEZ entities; – DAFZ for DAFZ entities; – IFZA for IFZA entities; – Meydan Free Zone for Meydan entities; – DIFC Registrar of Companies for DIFC companies; – ADGM Registration Authority for ADGM companies.
How to Use Legal Sources Correctly
A statute explains the law; an executive regulation may explain implementation; a fee resolution deals with charges; and a service page explains the authority's current operational process. These sources should not be treated as interchangeable.
When a blog cites a fee or procedural step, the source should be checked again at publication and on later review. Where the English translation differs from the official Arabic legislation, the official Arabic text should be treated with appropriate legal priority.
Our Legal Document Approach
We identify the legal outcome first, then the competent authority, signatory capacity, supporting documents, language, authentication requirements and downstream registration. This avoids presenting “notary service” as a single universal procedure.
Contact
Website: https://uaenotarypublic.com/ Email: notary@uaenotarypublic.com Office: 14th Floor, Aspin Commercial Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Corporate clients with recurring document requirements may enquire about longer-term professional arrangements and special professional rates based on scope and volume. Official and third-party charges remain separate.
Core Official References
- Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 Regulating the Notary Profession.
- Applicable Executive Regulations and fee resolutions under the federal framework.
- Dubai Courts official notary services for Dubai matters.
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department official notary sources for Abu Dhabi matters.
- DIFC Courts Notary Service for eligible DIFC Notary Service transactions.
- ADGM Courts Notary Public for eligible ADGM matters.
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs for document-attestation processes.
- The current official registrar/property/free-zone source for transaction-specific requirements.
Legal Disclaimer
This page contains general legal information and does not constitute advice for a specific matter. Notarial requirements, authority procedures, fees, forms and service channels can change. A lawyer's drafting or review is distinct from the formal function of a competent notary, court, registrar or government authority. No notarisation, registration, attestation, acceptance, processing time or legal outcome is guaranteed. Obtain matter-specific advice and verify current official authority requirements before signing or filing. Where interpretation of UAE legislation is required, the official Arabic text should be consulted.