How the process works
Certified true copies in the UAE
Short answer
A certified true copy is not one universal UAE government service. The receiving authority decides who may compare the copy with the original: for example a UAE notary, issuing body, embassy, lawyer or regulated institution. MoFA attestation is different—it authenticates signatures and seals.
- One UAE-wide service?
- No published universal service for every document
- Who decides?
- The organisation receiving the copy
- Same as MoFA attestation?
- No
- MOJ copy fee of AED 5
- Only for a transaction already certified by its notary
Process map
Your route at a glance
- 01 Ask who is allowed to certify
- 02 Take the original and complete copy
- 03 Use the named certifier
- 04 Add legalisation only if requested
The wording is incomplete without a certifier
“Please provide a certified true copy” tells you what the recipient wants, but not who it accepts to certify it. That missing detail matters more than the stamp’s appearance.
| If the recipient says… | Ask this next |
|---|---|
| Certified copy | Who may certify it? |
| Notarised copy | Which UAE notary jurisdiction or online service? |
| Embassy-certified copy | Which mission, and is an appointment required? |
| Attested copy | Which signatures or seals must be legalised, and in what order? |
Do not confuse three services
- True-copy certification compares a copy with an original.
- Notarisation records or certifies a notarial act.
- MoFA attestation authenticates signatures and seals across jurisdictions.
One does not automatically replace another. Get the receiving organisation’s checklist before paying.
A common AED 5 misunderstanding
The Ministry of Justice’s AED 5 service produces a copy of a transaction already certified by its notary. It is not a published AED 5 service for certifying any passport, degree or company document.The process, step by step
Ask who is allowed to certify
Get the receiving authority’s answer in writing. “Certified true copy” does not identify the certifier.
Take the original and complete copy
The certifier must be able to compare every relevant page with the original.
Use the named certifier
Depending on the recipient, this may be a notary, embassy, issuing body, lawyer or regulated institution.
Add legalisation only if requested
If the certifier’s signature must be used abroad, a separate foreign-affairs or embassy chain may apply.
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Common questions
Where can I get a certified true copy in Dubai?
Is a certified true copy the same as MoFA attestation?
Can a UAE notary certify my passport copy?
How much does true-copy attestation cost?
What is the MOJ AED 50 official-deeds service?
Do I need the original document?
Sources and last review
- UAE Ministry of Justice — copy of a previously notarised deed
- UAE Ministry of Justice — Attestation of Official Deeds
- MoFA — Attestation service
Reviewed 9 September 2026. Fees and procedures in this area change without notice — always confirm against the authority's own published information before paying. This page is general information, not legal advice.