Private Notary Dubai Fees: What You Pay For Attestations and Documents

Private notary Dubai fees cover attesting signatures, certifying copies, preparing powers of attorney, and handling corporate documents under UAE Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 (Civil Transactions Law) and the Dubai Courts Notary Public Regulations, with rates set by the Dubai Courts Notary Public Fee Schedule (Resolution No. 2 of 2020) and applied to all authorised notaries in the Emirate.

Related Services: Explore our Document Attestation Services and Private Notary Public services for practical legal support in this area.

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL CHARGES FOR A BASIC DOCUMENT ATTESTATION IN DUBAI?

A standard attestation of a signature or a certified copy usually costs between AED 150 and AED 300 per document. The lower end of the range reflects a straightforward attestation where the notary simply witnesses the signer's signature, affixes the official stamp, and records the act in the notary register. The higher end applies when additional verification steps are required, such as confirming the signer's identity with an Emirates ID or passport, or when the document is presented in a language that necessitates a brief explanation before the notary can proceed.

The fee schedule establishes a base rate of AED 150 for each attestation act. This base charge covers the notary's time, the official seal, and the entry of the notarial act in the register. If the notary must travel to the client's location, an hourly surcharge of AED 100 is added. Translation of the document prior to attestation incurs a cost of AED 50 per page, reflecting the notary's responsibility to ensure the signer understands the content being attested. The final receipt issued by the notary serves as proof of the notarial act and is required for submission to entities such as the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) or the Dubai Land Department (DLD).

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO PREPARE AND NOTARISE A POWER OF ATTORNEY IN DUBAI?

Preparing and notarising a power of attorney (POA) typically ranges from AED 500 to AED 1 200. The variation depends on several factors:

1. Scope of authority - A general POA granting broad powers over property, finances, or business affairs requires the notary to conduct a more thorough capacity check, which pushes the fee toward the upper end of the range. A limited POA, such as one authorising the sale of a specific vehicle, involves less scrutiny and therefore attracts a lower fee.
2. Language - Drafting the POA in Arabic only, English only, or a bilingual version influences the notary's workload. Bilingual documents often incur an additional charge for the extra translation work, typically AED 30 per page.
3. Document length - While most POAs are concise, longer documents that exceed the standard two-page format may trigger a per-page surcharge, although this is less common for POAs than for corporate resolutions.

The notary's fee includes the drafting service, the attestation of the signatory's signature, and the official sealing of the POA. Clients should also budget for any required courier delivery if the notarised POA must be submitted to a government department; courier fees generally fall between AED 40 and AED 80, depending on urgency and destination.

WHAT FEES APPLY TO CORPORATE DOCUMENT NOTARISATION, SUCH AS BOARD RESOLUTIONS OR SHAREHOLDER AGREEMENTS?

Corporate document notarisation usually costs between AED 800 and AED 2 000 per document. This range reflects the additional due diligence the notary must perform when dealing with corporate entities:

• Verification of signatory authority - The notary must confirm that the individual signing the resolution or agreement holds the requisite authority, often by reviewing board minutes, shareholder registers, or corporate authorisation letters.
• Corporate seal validation - If the document bears a corporate seal, the notary may need to verify that the seal matches the one registered with the Department of Economic Development (DED). This verification carries a fee of approximately AED 200.
• Document length - The base charge for attesting a board resolution or shareholder agreement is AED 800. For each page beyond the first three, an additional AED 50 is added.
• International use - When the notarised document will be presented abroad, the notary may attach an apostille or consular legalisation stamp. Each of these stamps costs roughly AED 150 and is added to the total fee.

These charges ensure that the notarised corporate document meets the standards required by regulatory bodies such as the DED, the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), and foreign jurisdictions that rely on UAE notarised papers for due diligence or enforcement purposes.

ARE THERE ANY EXTRA COSTS FOR URGENT OR AFTER-HOURS NOTARY SERVICES?

Urgent or after-hours notary services attract a surcharge of 50 % to 100 % on the standard fee, depending on the time of day and the notary's availability. The Dubai Courts Notary Public Regulations permit notaries to offer emergency services outside regular court hours (typically 8 am - 2 pm, Sunday to Thursday) provided the client pays the prescribed overtime rate.

For example, a standard attestation that costs AED 200 during regular hours may rise to AED 300-AED 400 if performed after 2 pm or on a Friday. The surcharge compensates the notary for the inconvenience of working outside the scheduled court timetable and for any additional administrative effort required to process the request promptly. Clients should confirm the exact surcharge with the notary before scheduling, as rates can vary between private notary offices and the public notary sections of the Dubai Courts.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What legal framework governs private notary fees in Dubai?
Private notary fees in Dubai are regulated by UAE Federal Law No. 5 of 1985 (Civil Transactions Law) and the Dubai Courts Notary Public Regulations, specifically Dubai Courts Resolution No. 2 of 2020, which publishes the official fee schedule for notarial acts.

Do notary fees include Value Added Tax (VAT)?
Yes, all notary fees are subject to the standard UAE VAT rate of 5 % as stipulated in Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on Value Added Tax. The VAT is added to the quoted fee and reflected on the official receipt issued by the notary.

Can I obtain a discount for multiple documents notarised in one session?
Some private notary offices offer a reduced rate for bulk notarisation, typically a 10 % discount when five or more documents are processed in the same appointment. This practice is not mandated by law but is permitted under the principle of freedom of contract, provided the notary discloses the discount before rendering the service.

Is there a separate fee for collecting the notarised document after the act?
No, the fee for notarisation includes the issuance of the notarised document and its release to the client. Any additional charge for courier delivery or pickup is considered a separate service and must be agreed upon in advance.

How can I verify that a notary's fee is official?
Clients may request to see the Dubai Courts Notary Public Fee Schedule, which is publicly available on the Dubai Courts website. The notary must also provide a detailed invoice that references the applicable fee items and shows the VAT calculation.

Are fees different for notaries operating in the DIFC or ADGM?
Yes, the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) and Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) operate under their own legal frameworks and have separate notarial fee structures. The fees described above apply only to notaries authorised by the Dubai Courts within the Emirate of Dubai.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of private notary Dubai fees, covering standard attestations, powers of attorney, corporate documents, and urgent services. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice for any specific situation.

If your matter involves private notary fees in the United Arab Emirates, you are welcome to request a consultation with Nour Attorneys. Our team can assess your position under the law currently in force and outline the options available to you. Request a consultation

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