To Whom It May Concern Certificate: Issuance in the UAE

A "To Whom It May Concern" certificate in the UAE is a formal attestation that confirms facts such as employment, residency, or marital status for use abroad; it is typically requested by embassies, foreign employers, or overseas institutions and must be issued by a UAE notary public or the relevant government authority under Federal Decree-Law No. 46/2021 on Electronic Transactions and the UAE Notary Public Law.

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

WHAT SITUATIONS REQUIRE A TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN CERTIFICATE?

A To Whom It May Concern certificate is required whenever a UAE resident needs to prove a personal or professional fact to a foreign entity that does not accept UAE-issued documents without notarisation or attestation. Common scenarios include visa applications for work or study abroad, overseas job offers that ask for proof of current employment, adoption procedures, property purchases in another country, and legal proceedings where a foreign court requests evidence of marital status or residency. The certificate must state the applicant's full name, passport or Emirates ID number, the specific fact being confirmed (e.g., "currently employed as a Senior Engineer at XYZ LLC"), the date of issuance, and the authority's seal and signature.

The legal basis for issuing such certificates lies in Federal Decree-Law No. 46/2021, which recognises electronic signatures and seals as having the same legal effect as handwritten ones, and in the UAE Notary Public Law (Federal Law No. 23 of 1991, as amended), which empowers notaries to attest to facts upon request. The certificate is not a court judgment; it is a statement of fact that the notary verifies after reviewing supporting documents such as an employment contract, Emirates ID, tenancy contract, or marriage certificate.

HOW IS A TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN CERTIFICATE OBTAINED STEP BY STEP?

First, the applicant gathers the underlying documents that prove the fact to be attested (e.g., a recent salary certificate, a tenancy contract, or a marriage certificate). Second, the applicant approaches a licensed notary public-either at a Notary Public Directorate office in the emirate of residence or through an authorised private notary service licensed by the Ministry of Justice. Third, the notary examines the documents, confirms the applicant's identity via Emirates ID or passport, and drafts the certificate in Arabic and English, stating that the Arabic text prevails for official use. Fourth, the notary affixes their official seal and signs the certificate; if electronic notarisation is used, the seal and signature are applied via a secure digital platform approved under Federal Decree-Law No. 46/2021. Finally, the applicant receives the original certificate and, if needed, requests additional copies for submission to the foreign authority.

The process typically takes one to three business days for in-person notarisation; electronic notarisation can be completed within the same day if all documents are ready. Fees are set by the Notary Public Directorate and vary by emirate, generally ranging from AED 150 to AED 300 per certificate, with extra charges for urgent service or multiple copies. The applicant must present the original supporting documents; photocopies are accepted only if accompanied by a declaration of authenticity.

WHAT ARE THE LEGAL EFFECTS AND LIMITATIONS OF THE CERTIFICATE?

The certificate has evidential value in foreign jurisdictions as proof of the stated fact, but it does not create legal rights or obligations within the UAE. It is not a substitute for official documents such as a labour card, residency visa, or marriage certificate; rather, it supplements them when a foreign party requires a notarised statement. If the certificate contains false information, the applicant may be liable under the UAE Penal Code (Federal Decree-Law No. 31/2021) for providing false statements to a public official, which is punishable by imprisonment and/or fines. The notary, meanwhile, bears responsibility for verifying the authenticity of the underlying documents; negligence can lead to disciplinary action by the Ministry of Justice.

Because the certificate is a statement of fact, it cannot be used to assert legal conclusions (e.g., "the applicant is entitled to a salary")-it merely confirms that, according to the documents reviewed, the applicant holds the stated position or status. Foreign authorities may still request additional attestation, such as Apostille or consular legalisation, depending on the destination country's requirements.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What documents are needed to obtain a To Whom It May Concern certificate?
You must present a valid Emirates ID or passport, plus the document that proves the fact to be attested (e.g., an employment contract, tenancy contract, marriage certificate, or academic diploma). The notary will review these to draft the certificate.

Can the certificate be issued electronically?
Yes. Under Federal Decree-Law No. 46/2021, electronic signatures and seals have the same legal effect as handwritten ones, allowing licensed notaries to issue the certificate through approved e-notarisation platforms.

How long is the certificate valid?
The certificate itself does not expire; however, the fact it attests to (e.g., current employment) may change. Foreign authorities often require the certificate to be issued within the last three to six months, so applicants should obtain a recent version if a significant period has passed.

What if the foreign authority asks for an Arabic-only version?
The notary prepares the certificate in both Arabic and English, with the Arabic text prevailing for official use, as required by UAE law. You may submit the Arabic version alone if the receiving party specifies it.

Are there any fees beyond the notary charge?
Besides the notary fee (typically AED 150-300), you may incur courier costs if you need the certificate delivered abroad, and optional fees for urgent processing or additional copies. No government stamp duty is applied to this type of attestation.

Can a company issue the certificate on behalf of an employee?
Only a licensed notary public or an authorised private notary service may issue the certificate. A company can provide the supporting employment documents, but the notarisation must be performed by a notary.

What happens if I submit a false certificate?
Providing false information in a notarised certificate is a criminal offence under the UAE Penal Code (Federal Decree-Law No. 31/2021) and may result in imprisonment, fines, and a ban on future notarial services.

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