Questions and answers
Dubai Courts notary FAQ: short answers on POAs, court documents and fees
This Dubai Courts notary FAQ gives short answers to the questions we are asked most about the notary, powers of attorney, personal documents, translation and fees. Each answer is kept to a few lines and links to the page that covers the topic in full, with the sources.
NotaryPublicInDubai.com drafts and translates POAs and personal documents for the notary and the court, and our in-house notary public notarises them, in person, online or at a home visit, 24/7. If your question is not here, call or WhatsApp +971 52 947 5935.
01
Questions about the Dubai Courts notary
Who can notarise a document in Dubai?
Two kinds of notary work in Dubai under Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013: the government notary at Dubai Courts, and private notaries whose names Dubai Courts enters on its roll. Our Dubai Courts notary guide explains both.
Do I have to go to a court building?
Not always. Dubai Courts supports notarisation by personal or virtual attendance, and private notaries work from their own offices. Which one suits you depends on the document. See our guide to online notarisation.
How do I contact Dubai Courts itself?
Use the official Dubai Courts channels. Our Dubai Courts contact guide explains which channel fits which question. Those channels handle case and court service questions; we handle the preparation of your document.
What does the notary actually check?
Your identity from your ID card or passport, your capacity and consent, and the content, which the notary reads out to you. The act proves the signer's identity and free will; it says nothing about whether the statements in the document are correct.
Is DIFC Courts the same as Dubai Courts?
No. DIFC Courts has a separate notary service covering oaths, affidavits, declarations and certified copies, and a POA for use onshore in Dubai goes through Dubai Courts or a Dubai private notary instead.
02
Questions about powers of attorney
Which POA do I need for a court case?
A special one, naming each act such as pleading, settling or appealing. Under Article 871 of the Civil Transactions Law, broad general wording stops at acts of management. See our court case POA page.
Can someone sell my car with a POA?
Yes, with a special POA that names the car and the power to sell and receive the price. Our car POA page lists the acts to include.
How long does a POA last in the UAE?
There is no general fixed period in UAE law. A POA ends on its stated term, when the task is done, on the death or loss of capacity of either party, or when the principal revokes it.
Can I make a Dubai POA from abroad?
Yes: before an accredited UAE consul, through a remote channel where your document qualifies, or before a local notary followed by attestation and MOFAIC. Our power of attorney services page sets out the routes.
How do I check that a POA I was given is real and still valid?
Identify the system that issued it, run the check on that system, then read the powers and the term, and ask about revocation. Our document verification guide walks through it.
03
Questions about personal documents
Does every NOC need a notary?
Often not. A company NOC on letterhead usually stands on its own, while a parent's or spouse's NOC is the kind an office tends to want notarised. Our NOC letter guide sorts them by signer.
The father is abroad. How does he give his NOC for our child's visa?
He can sign before a UAE consul where he lives, or before a local notary with attestation afterwards. The steps are on our father's NOC for a child's visa page.
What if the other parent refuses to sign a travel consent?
A notary cannot sign in their place. Families usually apply to the Dubai Courts personal status court. Our child travel consent guide explains the documents.
Where can I sign an affidavit of support in Abu Dhabi?
Through the Abu Dhabi court route, or in Dubai if the receiving office accepts it. See our Abu Dhabi court notary guide and the affidavit of support page.
04
Questions about translation, wills and signatures
Does my document have to be in Arabic?
The notary attests in Arabic. If you want English as well, a certified translator prepares the Arabic side and you sign the two versions. Our legal translation guide explains the three kinds of translation paper.
Can I register a will at Dubai Courts?
Our will registration guide explains what to prepare and how the appointment works.
What is signature approval?
It is what most people call it when a notary authenticates a signature, confirming the signature on the paper belongs to you. See our signature authentication page.
Is there an apostille for UAE documents?
No, because the UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. A UAE document for use abroad goes to MOFAIC for attestation, and foreign documents coming in follow the attestation chain.
05
Questions about fees
What is the government fee for a POA?
Under the federal schedule, AED 100 per party to execute or notarise a general or special POA (Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024, item 9). Our special POA price guide shows the full picture.
What do you charge?
Our service prices start from AED 1,500 for a POA, AED 1,200 for a NOC and AED 600 for an affidavit. Every line is on our fees page.
All service prices are starting prices and are negotiable. Government fees are paid on top, at cost, exactly as the authority charges them. We confirm your final price before you pay.
Are government fees included in your price?
No. Government fees are paid on top, at cost, and shown separately so you can see what goes to the authority.
Contact
Still have a question?
Call or WhatsApp +971 52 947 5935, or email support@notarypublicindubai.com with your question. Our office is in Business Bay, Dubai. We are available 24/7, in person at our Business Bay office, online or at a home visit. You can also read about NotaryPublicInDubai.com or go to our contact page.
NotaryPublicInDubai.com
Business Bay, Dubai, UAE
support@notarypublicindubai.com
Sources for this page
- Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013 concerning Notaries Public in the Emirate of Dubai: https://dlp.dubai.gov.ae/Legislation%20Reference/2013/Law%20No.%20(4)%20of%202013%20Concerning%20Notaries%20Public%20in%20the%20Emirate%20of%20Dubai.html
- Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 on the regulation of the notary profession, Articles 3 and 7: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1563
- Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, Civil Transactions Law, Articles 870, 871 and 897: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/4011
- Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024 on notary fees: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2491
- DIFC Courts Notary Service: https://www.difccourts.ae/difc-courts/services/notary-service
- HCCH Apostille Convention status table: https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41