Abu Dhabi maintains its own independent judicial department rather than following the federal judicial system, so notarial work in the emirate runs through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department instead of the federal Ministry of Justice. Establishing that first tells you which counter, register and e-service channel applies to your instrument.
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An instrument prepared on the assumption that Ministry of Justice practice applies can require reworking before it is accepted here — which is the most common avoidable problem in Abu Dhabi document work.
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department
ADJD describes a notary public as a person approved or licensed by the Judicial Department, and recognises public, private and governmental notarial functions within its framework. It operates a Notary Public function together with an electronic request channel, and publishes notary e-services and private-notary information.
It also operates an English-language Notary Services Bureau offering digital notarial services for individuals, businesses and government entities. That matters for international and corporate clients, though service eligibility still depends on the instrument and the parties.
ADJD publishes information about notary branches and private-notary service providers; the correct route depends on the transaction and on service eligibility.
Abu Dhabi Contains a Second Legal Jurisdiction
Abu Dhabi is unusual in containing a second, entirely separate legal jurisdiction. The Abu Dhabi Global Market applies its own common-law framework, and ADGM Courts operate a digital notary public office established in partnership with the Judicial Department.
A company registered in ADGM and a company registered on Abu Dhabi mainland are therefore not in the same system, and their documents do not follow the same route. See our ADGM Notary Public guide for the notarial side, and ADGM corporate documents for authority and signing requirements.
Other Abu Dhabi free zones, including KIZAD and Masdar City, apply registrar requirements of their own. As elsewhere in the UAE, a registrar asking for a notarised document is not the same as the law requiring notarisation, and confirming which of the two you are facing is worth doing before an appointment is booked.
Preparing an Abu Dhabi Document
The legal purpose, the authority behind the document and the intended recipient should all be established before drafting. A document cannot be assumed acceptable merely because it was used in another emirate.
- mainland company matters should be coordinated with the competent company or licensing authority;
- ADGM companies and ADGM notarial matters require separate treatment under the ADGM framework;
- property POAs should be designed for the competent Abu Dhabi property authority and the exact sale, purchase, mortgage, gift, management or handover transaction.
The working sequence is: review the document, identify whether ADJD, ADGM or another competent authority applies, confirm language and supporting records, complete the notarial formalities, then complete the downstream registry, property, bank or court process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Abu Dhabi follow the federal notary system?
No. Abu Dhabi maintains its own independent judicial department, so notarial work runs through ADJD rather than the federal Ministry of Justice.
My company is in ADGM — does ADJD handle my documents?
Not necessarily. ADGM applies its own common-law framework and ADGM Courts operate their own digital notary public office. Mainland and ADGM entities are not in the same system.
Are digital notarial services available in English?
ADJD operates an English-language Notary Services Bureau offering digital notarial services for individuals, businesses and government entities, though eligibility depends on the instrument and parties.
Can I reuse a document that worked in Dubai?
It should not be assumed acceptable. Dubai runs through Dubai Courts and Abu Dhabi through ADJD, and the receiving authority’s requirements govern.
Does a free-zone registrar asking for notarisation mean the law requires it?
Not necessarily. A registrar requirement and a statutory notarial requirement are different things, and it is worth confirming which applies before booking an appointment.
Contact Our Team
Our firm provides legal services including drafting, review and coordination of notary-related documents. The practice is managed by Emirati Senior Lawyer Abdulhamid Al Balooshi, with more than two decades of legal practice. Our office is in Dubai and we assist clients across the Emirates according to the competent authority and nature of the matter.
Website: https://uaenotarypublic.com/ Email: notary@uaenotarypublic.com Office: 14th Floor, Aspin Commercial Tower, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE
Official Legal and Authority References
- Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 Regulating the Notary Profession.
- Cabinet Resolution No. 16 of 2024 on the Executive Regulations of Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022.
- Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024 determining federal public-notary transaction fees and private-notary fees.
- UAE Ministry of Justice E-Notary and Notary Public & Authentication services, where the federal service framework applies.
- Dubai Courts official notary services, for Dubai-specific matters.
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department official notary services, for Abu Dhabi-specific matters.
- The current official requirements of the relevant property authority, company registrar, free-zone authority, court, bank, MOFA or embassy should be checked where applicable.
Legal Disclaimer
This page provides general legal information and is not legal advice for a specific matter. Requirements vary by document, Emirate, free zone, court, notary, registrar, property authority and receiving institution. Official fees, service channels and documentary requirements may change. No notarisation, attestation, registration, third-party acceptance, completion time or legal outcome is guaranteed. Obtain matter-specific advice and verify current official requirements before signing or filing. For interpretation of UAE legislation, the official Arabic text should be consulted.