Legal Documents that Can and Can’t Undergo UAE Notarization

All public and private notaries in Dubai and all of UAE carefully and dutifully comply to local guidelines whenever they execute notarial acts. A notary in UAE acts as an independent, impartial witness to document signing, identifying the signatories, and screening out people to make sure they are eligible in signing. There are certain documents that notaries can and can’t notarize.

Let’s take a closer look at these two categories. 

1- Documents that CAN be Notarized

• Mortgages – a mortgage has to be public record for it to be considered valid in UAE. In order for it to enter public record, identities of all signing parties must be verified. It is, therefore, the reason why it has to be notarized.  
• Power of attorney – a power of attorney has to be notarized as it is a crucial document wherein an individual’s rights is being given to another person. The notarization in UAE of a power of attorney is necessary as it eliminates the risk of fraud.
• Affidavits – affidavits are written statements that are made under oath. notaries in Dubai are also authorized in administering oaths. It’s important to bring an unsigned affidavit to a notary as a document signed in advance won’t be entertained for notarization. The notarization of an affidavit certifies the person making the legal instrument. 
• Medical certificates – a medical certificate can be rendered as admissible in court to be tangible evidence when it is notarized. 
• Contracts – although not necessary, a signed contract that is notarized will protect the contracting parties should a legal dispute arises in the future. Having a notary witness the signing of a contract will give substantial evidence of parties that are entering into an agreement.

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2- Documents that CAN’T be notarized 

• Incomplete or blank documents – the documents that are not complete as they have blank spaces are not allowed to undergo the process of notarization in UAE. This is because it is going to be incredibly easy for anyone to alter a legal document that has blanks when it’s notarized. It is absolutely prohibited to notarize incomplete documents. 
• Birth certificates – birth certificates are also prohibited to be notarized. What individuals usually need are certified copies of their birth record. This can be obtained from the Bureau of National Statistics of a person’s home country. There may also be a need for the attestation of a birth certificate to verify its authenticity; however, attestation is a different notarial act as notarization and serves a different purpose.
• Photographs – notarization of a photograph isn’t an authorized act of a notary in UAE. A written statement that has a photograph can be notarized, however. Also, a written statement about a picture with the image attached can be notarized. This is because a written statement is notarized instead of a photograph.
• Document with a different name as the name on ID presented – such document cannot be notarized. The notary public in UAE has to ensure that it is satisfied with the identity of the individual appearing before it before it can notarize a document. If it has any doubts, the notary won’t proceed with the process. 
• Documents that notaries are parties to – when a public notary in UAE has a vested interest or is one of the parties to an underlying document, it cannot notarize such document. It applies as well to the witnessing of the own signature of the notary. It is not allowed. 
• Copied or faxed signatures – a faxed or copied document can’t be notarized unless it bears the original signature. A signature that is photocopied can never be notarized.

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Why is it important to notarize documents in UAE?

Notarization converts private documents into public instruments, which is why it has huge legal impact on agreements. Notarization of a document also helps prevent fraud with contracts and legal documents. There are instances wherein agreements can only be enforced when they’re notarized as the notarization process provides a strong proof for their authenticity. But, basic requirements are to be observed with the notarization of documents. It is important to only hire a reputable notary in UAE to ensure that the notarization is considered valid in the eyes of the law. 

 A notary seal is added to documents following document signing, providing affirmation of the authenticity of signatures.

Why do signatures have to be notarized?

 Notarized signatures confirm that individuals whose signatures appear on documents are in fact the people who signed the papers. An individual who has signed a document in the midst of a notary in UAE must assert that he or she is not forced in providing a signature. Otherwise, the notarization won’t be completed. 

For a convenient experience of document notarization in UAE, get in touch with our team here in Notary Public Dubai today!