Quick answer

Dubai Courts and the Ministry of Justice run an online notary public service that lets individuals and companies notarize many documents, including powers of attorney and declarations, without visiting a service center in person. Any document not already in Arabic normally needs a certified translation before notarization can go ahead.

What Online Notarization Actually Covers in Dubai

Notarization confirms that a document, or a signature on it, is genuine and was executed by the person it claims to be executed by. In Dubai, this function sits mainly with Dubai Courts through their notary public department, alongside private notary public offices operating under Ministry of Justice oversight. The online service extends the same function through a digital platform, using video identity verification, digital signatures and electronic stamps in place of an in person appointment.

It is not a rubber stamp exercise. The notary is confirming identity and consent, not correcting the content of your document, so what you submit needs to already be complete, accurate and, where required, translated.

Dubai Courts Notary Public vs Private Notaries

Dubai Courts operates its own notary public service handling powers of attorney, certain company related documents and a range of declarations, both in person and through its online channel. Private notary public offices, licensed separately, can also handle notarization for many of the same document categories, often with more flexible appointment availability. Which route suits you usually comes down to the specific document type and how quickly you need it processed.

Documents That Usually Need Translation First

The official record in the UAE is Arabic. Anything submitted for notarization in another language, an English power of attorney drafted abroad, a foreign company resolution, a personal declaration written in French, generally needs a certified Arabic translation attached before the notary will proceed. This is where a Ministry of Justice certified translation office comes in, since a general translation without the correct stamp will not be accepted alongside the original for notarization.

Documents that most often arrive needing translation before notarization include powers of attorney issued outside the UAE, foreign company board resolutions, marriage and birth certificates supporting a declaration, and personal agreements drafted in a language other than Arabic.

How the Process Usually Works, Step By Step

1

Confirm What the Receiving Party Needs

Check with the person, company or authority relying on the notarized document exactly which notarization route and language they expect, since this shapes every step after it.

2

Get a Certified Translation, If Needed

If the original is not in Arabic, arrange a Ministry of Justice certified translation first. The translated version needs to match the original precisely, including names, dates and figures.

3

Submit Through the Online Notary Platform

Upload the original and the certified translation, complete identity verification, usually by video call and Emirates ID or passport, and confirm the details on screen before signing.

4

Receive the Notarized Copy

Once verified, the notarized document is issued digitally, carrying an official stamp and reference number that the receiving authority can check.

A notary confirms who signed a document and that they meant to. It does not check whether the translation attached to it is accurate. That part is still on you to get right before you submit. Why the translation step cannot be skipped

Where Shakespeare Legal Translation Services Can Help

Shakespeare Legal Translation Services prepares the certified Arabic translation your document needs before it goes to Dubai Courts or a notary public, and supports clients with notary public services for powers of attorney, declarations, affidavits and authorization letters, making sure formatting, terminology and stamping meet what the notary expects. The team can also advise on which notarization route fits your specific document, based on years of preparing translations for exactly this purpose.

Common Mistakes That Delay Notarization

  • Submitting a translation without a valid Ministry of Justice stamp, which the notary platform will reject.
  • Mismatched names or dates between the original document and its translation.
  • Assuming attestation from the country of origin replaces UAE notarization, when both are sometimes required.
  • Leaving the process until the day a document is due, when translation and identity verification both take time.
Written by the Shakespeare Legal Translation Team

Our service team regularly prepares documents for Dubai Courts and notary public submission, working alongside clients to get the translation, formatting and stamping right the first time.