The UAE is an international business and law center, which welcomes investors, property owners, professionals and expatriates worldwide. This leads to a situation whereby not all people living in the UAE require notarization of documents due to legal, financial, or business reasons.
A common question arises:
Is there notarization of documents in the UAE by non-residents and what are the requirements?
The answer is yes. The notarization of documents in UAE by non-residents is allowed but certain steps and verification have to be undertaken so that the authorities recognize and accept the legality of the document and the authority.
In this guide, the process of notarization of non-residents, the necessary documents, remote notarization, and legal aspects will be presented.
Who is a non-resident?
A non-resident is a person who has neither UAE residency nor is residing in the UAE at the moment but requires the documents to be notarized to use them in the country.
Non-residents may include:
- property owners and foreign investors.
- overseas business partners
- expatriates operating in UAE assets in the foreign country.
- those people that are engaged in a legal process in the UAE.
- family members who manage UAE legal affairs.
Their papers are legally accepted, which is the guarantee of notarization.
Notary Public UAE
Contact our Notary Public Dubai team for fast and reliable notary services in the UAE.
Is It possible to Notarize Documents in the UAE by Non-Residents?
Yes. Document notarization by non-residents can be achieved by the means of:
- Face-to-face notarization when coming to the UAE.
- distant computerized notarization through accepted sites.
- notarization by the UAE embassies in other countries.
- notarized Power of Attorneys to represent.
It should be the effectiveness of the method based on the type of document and the purpose.
For related guidance on remote options, you may refer to:
Online Notary in UAE: Is Remote E-Notarization Legally Valid? and
Can Documents Be Notarized via Video Call in UAE?
Typical Documents that are required to be notarized by non-residents.
The documents often need notarization by non residents:
Property & Financial Matters
- approvals to sell or to buy property.
- mortgage or banking licenses.
- tenancy management documents.
Related reading:
Role of Notary Public in Real Estate Transactions in Dubai
Legal & Personal Matters
- powers of attorney
- declarations and affidavits.
- consent letters
Related reading:
Power of Attorney Dubai Drafting, Notarization & Attestation
Business, Corporate Transactions.
- documents of company formation.
- shareholder resolutions
- authorization letters
- commercial agreements
The documents are likely to be notarized before they can be legally applied in the UAE.
Requirements of Non-residents Identification.
Notarization involves identity verification, which is its mandatory component.
Non-residents usually have to supply:
- valid passport
- evidence of identity checking.
- visa copy (if available)
- further identification on request.
In the case of corporate affairs, further record keeping could be:
- company incorporation documents.
- authorization letters
- board resolutions
Identification should be done properly to adhere to the UAE legal standards.
Remote Notarization of Non-Residents.
Notarization services are available in UAE and enable non-residents to undergo notarization even without traveling.
Remote notarization can consist of:
- video identity checking.
- safe paperless transfer of documents.
- electronic signature and certification.
- OTP or electronic identification.
This is a particularly good alternative to those who are not in the UAE.
Nevertheless, it has eligibility based on the type of document and the legal requirements.
Related reading:
How Digital Notary Services Work in Dubai
Notarization through use of UAE Embassies.
The documents can be notarized by the UAE embassies or consulates in the country where the non-residents live.
This alternative is usually employed where:
- remote notarization is not allowed.
- verification must be done physically.
- Documents should be legalized to be used in UAE.
The MOFA attestation might be necessary to be added with the embassy notarization on its arrival in the UAE.
Related reading:
UAE Embassy Attestation: All You Must Know and
MOFA Attestation
Power of Attorney to Representation.
In case a non-resident is not able to appear physically, he or she can assign a Power of Attorney (POA) to someone in the UAE.
This will enable the empowered individual to:
- operate in the real estate business.
- serve as the representative of the individual in the law affairs.
- handle business operations
- sign papers on their behalf.
The POA should be notarized and can be attested and legalized in different locations.
Related reading:
How can I give someone Power of Attorney in Dubai from United Kingdom? and
How to use UAE Notarized Document Abroad?
Language and Translation Requirements.
A text in Arabic would be required in documents that would be notarized in the UAE.
In case the other language:
- legal translation into Arabic is possibly certified.
- In some instances, bilingual forms can be tolerated.
The translation needs are contingent upon the type of document and the authority where it is sent.
Related reading:
Notarization of Documents in Foreign Languages
In the event where MOFA Attestation is necessary.
Non-residents might require MOFA attestation of a document after it has been notarised when it:
- is implemented in a foreign country to be used in the UAE.
- is the notarized in the UAE to utilize internationally.
- needs to be acknowledged by government bodies.
MOFA verifies legal authenticity and international acceptance.
Critical Legal Issues.
It should be noted that non-residents are not to:
- identity check is compulsory.
- documents should be in line with the rules of legal format in the UAE.
- there are documents that will have to be verified physically.
- further validation might be necessary to be used as an official.
- rejection may develop because of incorrect notarization.
Professional consultation assists in making sure the compliance.
Processing Time
The time taken to process differs with the procedure.
Typical timelines:
- digital notarization: same day to 12-2 days.
- notarization: same day in person.
- embassy notarization: a few days.
- attestation/legalization: more time can be used.
Delays can be prevented by planning in advance.
Related reading:
How Long Does Notarization Take in UAE? Processing Time & Factors
Disadvantages that Non-Residents Face.
Non-residents can have difficulties with:
- there are delays on identity verification.
- document format requirements.
- translation needs
- steps of cross-border authentication.
- coordination between several authorities.
The professional advice is beneficial to make the process simple.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it possible to notarise documents without being in the UAE by the non-residents?
Yes. The most common ones are remote notarization, embassy notarization, or issuing a Power of Attorney.
Does it have remote notarization of non-residents?
Yes, in accordance with qualified documents, remote notarization makes it possible to verify the identity through video call.
Which identification is needed in case of non-residents?
One should have a valid passport and other credits that may be demanded to verify one.
Is it possible to grant a non-resident Power of Attorney of the UAE matters?
Yes. Notarized POA enables one to be represented in the UAE by a representative.
Should the international documents be notarized in the UAE?
Yes. The notarized documents issued in other countries usually need to be legalized by the embassy and attested by MOFA to be used in the UAE.
Notary Public UAE
Contact our Notary Public Dubai team for fast and reliable notary services in the UAE.
Conclusion
Non-residents may have documents notarized to be used in the UAE by either in-person, remote digital, using embassy services, or by assigning a Power of Attorney. All these methods guarantee the compliance of documents with the legal requirements and their acceptance by the authorities in the UAE.
Gaining insight of the identification requirements, translation requirements and attestation processes are useful in avoiding delays and facilitative processing of legal.
In the case of property, business or legal requirements that require the involvement of the UAE, the proper notarization is used to guarantee compliance, safeguard legal rights as well as facilitating transactions across boundaries.