Certified True Copy in UAE — When You Need One & How to Get It (2026)

What Is a Certified True Copy?

A certified true copy (CTC) is a photocopy of an original document that has been verified, stamped, and signed by an authorized person — typically a notary public — confirming it is an exact reproduction of the original. In the UAE, certified true copies serve as legally accepted substitutes for original documents in many official processes. The certification confirms three things: the copy is a complete reproduction of the original, no alterations have been made, and the certifying authority has seen the original document. This is different from a simple photocopy, which has no legal standing. UAE courts, government departments, banks, and embassies routinely accept certified true copies when they require documentary evidence but the original must be retained by the holder.

When Do You Need a Certified True Copy in the UAE?

Certified true copies are required in several common situations in the UAE.

• -Court proceedings — UAE courts require certified copies of evidence documents, contracts, and identity documents filed as part of legal cases
• -Visa applications — some embassies and consulates in the UAE accept certified copies instead of originals for visa applications
• -Company formation — free zone authorities and the DED may require certified copies of shareholder passports, MOAs, and corporate documents
• -Banking — opening corporate bank accounts often requires certified copies of trade licenses, MOAs, and authorized signatory documents
• -Property transactions — the Dubai Land Department accepts certified copies of supporting documents for property registration
• -Insurance claims — certified copies of contracts, invoices, and identity documents for claim processing
• -Educational institutions — UAE universities may accept certified copies of transcripts when originals are held by another institution

How to Get a Certified True Copy in the UAE

There are several ways to obtain a certified true copy in the UAE.

1. 1Notary Public — Visit a UAE notary public office with your original document. The notary will compare the copy to the original, then stamp and sign the copy as a certified true copy. This is the most widely accepted method.
2. 2UAE Courts — The Dubai Courts and Abu Dhabi Judicial Department offer document certification services through their service centres.
3. 3Typing centres — Some authorized typing centres can notarize copies, but ensure they have official notary authority for your specific document type.
4. 4Embassy or consulate — Some embassies certify copies of documents issued by their country for use in the UAE.

Certified True Copy vs Attestation vs Notarization

These three services are related but serve different purposes. A certified true copy confirms that a photocopy matches the original — it does not verify the authenticity of the original document itself. Attestation is a chain of verification that confirms the original document is authentic and legally valid — it involves multiple government authorities. Notarization is the process of having a notary public witness and verify the signing of documents, or certify copies. In practice, a certified true copy is a subset of notarization services. You may need all three for the same document — for example, you might attest your original degree certificate and then get certified true copies of the attested document for multiple applications.