The position of a Notary is one of the most important legal professions in the UAE. A Notary is a person accredited by the competent authority to carry out certain legal tasks, such as document attestation. People can notarize documents either by a private notary or by the government notary public. Here we discuss the functions of a notary public in Dubai.
The Dubai government issued Federal Law No. 4 of 2013 Regulating the Notary Public Profession in 2013.
This law controls and manages the Notary Publics in Dubai. It prescribes the terms of reference, requirements, conditions, and years of experience for persons wishing to take up the position.
The law includes that a Notary Public department should be set up within the Dubai Courts Department and furthermore, that it may open various branches across Dubai.
The law further specifies that a registry for those notaries acting as private Notary Public be established at the Department.
Notary Publics must be UAE citizens. They are also required to have a UAE bachelor’s law degree. The Dubai Courts may appoint Notary Publics of different Arab nationalities. however, these candidates must have at least 10 years of relevant experience.
The law prohibits the Notary Public from transferring any records, documents, papers or other official papers from their place of business except with leave from the Court, or to include any such documentation in a file of a pending case without the Court’s approval.
The functions of a Notary Public in Dubai vary. A Notary may attest or certify documents as well as texts. It may include company incorporation contracts, sales contracts, commercial contracts, birth certificates, academic certificates, wills, and other documents.
To save the citizen time and effort, the government of Dubai has provided an electronic notary public services. Through this, the applicant can finalize the notary in one sitting by attaching the required papers and documents, and then schedule an appointment with the Notary to finalize the matter in one sitting.
Hassan Humaid Al Suwaidi is a UAE Citizen and the founder of the firm HHS Lawyers. He has a vast experience of 20 years of dealing with high-value and complex notary requirements. Hassan has been involved in some of the largest legal settlements in the UAE and is commended for his ability to attain the most favourable outcomes for his clients.