How Much Does a Notary Cost in Dubai? A Complete Guide to Notary Fees in 2026
If you need to notarize a document in Dubai, one of the first questions you are likely to ask is: How much does a notary cost in Dubai?
The answer depends on several factors, including the type of document, number of signatures, number of parties, whether the document needs to be drafted or translated, and whether additional government or attestation services are required.
Dubai has a well-developed notary system that allows individuals and companies to authenticate important legal documents, including Power of Attorney (POA), declarations, contracts, corporate resolutions, wills for non-Muslims, and legal notices. Dubai Government currently lists several services under its Notary Public category, including attestation of powers of attorney, declarations, contracts and meeting minutes, certain wills and marriage contracts, and legal notices.
This guide explains the main costs you should consider when using a Notary Public in Dubai and what can make the final price higher or lower.
What Is a Notary Public in Dubai?
A Notary Public is authorized to authenticate and notarize certain legal documents, giving them formal legal validity and evidentiary value.
In Dubai, notary services can be provided through the Dubai Courts system as well as licensed private notary offices operating under the applicable regulatory framework.
Dubai has also introduced electronic and remote notary procedures. Amendments to Dubai's Notary Public Law allow certain notarial procedures to be carried out digitally, including identity verification, remote communication, electronic signatures and payment of fees.
This means that in appropriate cases, you may not need to physically attend a traditional notary counter.
How Much Does a Notary Cost in Dubai?
There is no single fixed price for every notary transaction in Dubai.
The government fee depends on the specific notarial service and the circumstances of the transaction.
For many straightforward notarization transactions, the government notary fee may be relatively modest. However, the total amount you pay to complete a document can be higher because it may include additional services such as:
- Legal document drafting
- Legal translation
- Additional signatures
- Additional parties
- Document preparation
- True Copy certification
- MOFA attestation
- Embassy or consulate attestation
- Courier services
- Private notary service fees
- Other government charges
Therefore, when comparing notary prices in Dubai, it is important to distinguish between the official notary fee and the total cost of preparing and completing the transaction.
Dubai Notary Fees: What Determines the Price?
Several factors can affect the final cost.
1. Type of Document
The first and most important factor is the type of document you need to notarize.
Common notarized documents in Dubai include:
- Power of Attorney
- Special Power of Attorney
- General Power of Attorney
- Company Power of Attorney
- Shareholder resolutions
- Board resolutions
- Declarations
- Legal notices
- Commercial contracts
- Corporate documents
- Wills for eligible non-Muslims
- Marriage-related documents
- Undertakings and acknowledgements
Dubai Government specifically identifies Power of Attorney attestation, declarations, contracts and meeting minutes, certain wills and marriage contracts, and legal notices among its Notary Public services.
The applicable fee and procedure can therefore vary depending on the document.
How Much Does It Cost to Notarize a Power of Attorney in Dubai?
A Power of Attorney (POA) is one of the most common documents notarized in Dubai.
A POA allows one person, known as the Principal, to authorize another person, known as the Attorney, to act on their behalf within the powers specified in the document.
Examples include:
- Property Power of Attorney
- Company Power of Attorney
- Vehicle Power of Attorney
- Banking Power of Attorney
- Business management Power of Attorney
- General Power of Attorney
- Special Power of Attorney
- Litigation-related Power of Attorney
The cost of notarizing a POA depends on factors such as:
Government notary fee + number of signatures + drafting + translation + additional services
If you already have a properly prepared document that meets the notary's requirements, your cost may be limited mainly to the applicable notarization fees.
However, if you require a law firm or professional service provider to draft the POA, the overall cost will be higher.
Does the Number of Signatures Affect Notary Fees?
Yes.
One of the factors that can affect the cost of notarization is the number of people signing the document.
For example, a simple document signed by one person may cost less than a document requiring multiple parties to sign.
This is particularly important for:
- Corporate resolutions
- Shareholder agreements
- Joint declarations
- Multiple-principal POAs
- Family-related documents
- Company documents involving several shareholders
If several people need to sign the same notarized document, you should ask for a quotation based on the exact number of signatories before proceeding.
Do I Need to Pay for Legal Drafting?
Not necessarily.
If you already have a legally acceptable document prepared by your lawyer or legal advisor, you may only need the applicable notarization service.
However, many clients require assistance preparing the document before submitting it to the notary.
For example, a professional service provider may assist with:
- Drafting a Power of Attorney
- Preparing a declaration
- Drafting a board resolution
- Preparing a shareholder resolution
- Drafting a legal notice
- Reviewing corporate documents
- Preparing a bilingual Arabic-English document
Drafting fees are separate from government notary fees.
This is an important distinction when searching for the cost of a notary in Dubai.
Does Legal Translation Increase the Cost?
Yes.
If your document is in a language other than Arabic, you may need a legal translation into Arabic depending on the transaction and applicable requirements.
For example, documents prepared in:
- English
- French
- Russian
- Spanish
- German
- Chinese
- Armenian
- Italian
may require translation before they can be used for certain UAE legal procedures.
The translation cost usually depends on:
- Number of pages
- Word count
- Language
- Complexity
- Type of legal document
- Required certification
If the document needs both translation and notarization, these should generally be considered separate components of the total cost.
What About Notarizing Documents Issued Outside the UAE?
This is another important consideration.
If a document was issued outside the UAE, notarization in Dubai may not be the first step.
Depending on the document and its intended use, it may need to go through a legalization or attestation process in the country of origin and then be presented to the relevant UAE authorities.
A typical process may involve:
Issuing authority → Foreign Ministry → UAE Embassy/Consulate → UAE MOFA → Legal translation where required → UAE authority/notary
The exact process depends on the country of issuance and the type of document.
Therefore, foreign document attestation costs should not be confused with Dubai notary fees.
Dubai Notary vs. Private Notary: What's the Difference?
Dubai has a framework that allows licensed private notary offices to provide authorized notarial services.
Dubai's Notary Public Law regulates private notaries and the offices providing notary services. The law also recognizes electronic notary procedures and provides a regulatory framework for private notary offices.
A private notary office may provide additional convenience, including:
- Flexible appointment arrangements
- Document preparation assistance
- Remote notarization where available
- Legal translation coordination
- Corporate document support
- Assistance with government procedures
However, the government fees and professional service fees should be distinguished clearly.
Can Notarization Be Done Online in Dubai?
In certain cases, yes.
Dubai has developed electronic notary services that allow certain procedures to be completed digitally.
Under the amendments to Dubai's Notary Public Law, electronic procedures can include:
- Identity verification
- Remote communication
- Electronic signatures
- Electronic payment
- Other digital notarial procedures
The law provides that electronic and traditional documents issued by the notary can have the same evidentiary effect where the applicable requirements are satisfied.
This can be particularly useful for people who:
- Are outside Dubai
- Cannot easily attend a notary office
- Are managing international business
- Need to issue a POA remotely
- Are abroad but need to authorize someone in the UAE
However, eligibility for remote notarization depends on the specific service and applicable requirements.
Additional Costs You Should Consider
When calculating the total cost of notarizing a document in Dubai, don't look only at the notary fee.
You may also need to budget for:
Legal Drafting
If you do not already have the document, a lawyer or professional document service provider may charge a drafting fee.
Legal Translation
Documents in foreign languages may require certified legal translation.
Additional Signatures
More signatories can result in additional fees.
True Copy Certification
If you need certified copies of passports, Emirates IDs, licenses or other documents, an additional certification fee may apply.
MOFA Attestation
If the notarized document needs to be used outside Dubai or outside the UAE, further attestation may be required.
Embassy or Consulate Attestation
Documents intended for use in another country may need legalization by the relevant embassy or consulate.
Courier or Delivery
Some service providers offer document delivery for an additional charge.
Example: Calculating the Total Cost of a Notarized POA
Imagine a client wants to prepare a Power of Attorney in Dubai.
The total cost could consist of:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Government notary fee | Depends on transaction |
| POA drafting | Depends on complexity |
| Legal translation | If required |
| Additional signatures | If applicable |
| Document certification | If required |
| MOFA attestation | If required |
| Embassy attestation | If required |
| Professional service fee | Depends on provider |
This demonstrates why searching only for “Dubai notary fee” may not tell you the final amount you will actually spend.
The best approach is to identify the document and the complete service you require first.
How Long Does Notarization Take in Dubai?
The processing time depends on:
- Type of document
- Whether the document is already prepared
- Number of parties
- Identity verification requirements
- Translation requirements
- Whether the transaction is completed electronically
- Availability of appointments
- Whether additional government approvals are required
A straightforward document that is already correctly prepared can generally be processed much faster than a complex corporate document requiring drafting, translation and multiple signatures.
What Documents Are Commonly Notarized in Dubai?
Some of the most common documents include:
Personal Documents
- Power of Attorney
- Declarations
- Undertakings
- Acknowledgements
- Certain wills
- Personal agreements
Corporate Documents
- Board resolutions
- Shareholder resolutions
- Company POAs
- Commercial contracts
- Corporate declarations
- Share transfer documents
- Company-related undertakings
Property Documents
- Property Power of Attorney
- Property-related declarations
- Certain property agreements
Legal Notices
Dubai's Notary Public services also include Legal Notice services.
What Do I Need to Notarize a Document in Dubai?
The requirements depend on the type of transaction, but you may generally need:
- Valid passport
- Emirates ID, where applicable
- Original document or draft
- Supporting documents
- Company documents for corporate transactions
- Trade license for company-related matters
- Corporate authorization documents
- Information about the Attorney or authorized person
- Arabic translation where required
For corporate transactions, additional documents may be required to establish the authority of the person signing on behalf of the company.
How to Save Money on Notary Services in Dubai
If you want to keep your notarization cost in Dubai under control, consider the following:
Prepare the document correctly
Errors in names, passport numbers, company names or other important information can cause delays and potentially require additional work.
Confirm the required service first
Don't pay for unnecessary services. Determine whether you need:
- Notarization
- Legal translation
- MOFA attestation
- Embassy attestation
- True Copy
- Legal drafting
Ask for a complete quotation
Instead of asking only:
“How much is a notary in Dubai?”
ask for:
“What is the total cost to draft, translate and notarize my Power of Attorney?”
This gives you a much more accurate figure.
Check whether remote notarization is available
If your transaction qualifies for electronic or remote processing, this may save time and travel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dubai Notary Fees
How much is a notary in Dubai?
The cost depends on the type of document and transaction. Government notary fees are separate from professional fees for drafting, translation or other services.
How much does it cost to notarize a POA in Dubai?
The cost depends on the applicable government fee, number of signatures and whether drafting, translation or additional services are required.
Can I notarize a document online in Dubai?
Certain notarial procedures can be completed electronically or remotely, subject to the requirements applicable to the particular service. Dubai's legal framework expressly provides for electronic notary procedures.
Does a notary fee include translation?
Usually, translation and notarization should be treated as separate services unless they are included together in a service provider's quotation.
Does a private notary charge more?
A private notary office may charge professional or service fees in addition to applicable government charges. Always ask for a breakdown of the total cost.
Can foreigners use a notary in Dubai?
Yes, eligible individuals can use applicable notary services in Dubai, subject to identity, document and transaction requirements.
Can companies notarize documents in Dubai?
Yes. Corporate documents such as Powers of Attorney, contracts and resolutions may be notarized depending on the nature of the transaction and applicable requirements. Dubai Government lists contract and corporate-related notary services among its Notary Public services.
Why Choose a Professional Notary Service in Dubai?
The notary fee itself is only one part of completing a legal document.
For many clients, the more difficult part is making sure the document is:
- Correctly drafted
- Legally structured
- Properly translated
- Supported by the correct documents
- Submitted through the appropriate channel
- Accepted by the relevant authority
- Properly notarized and, where necessary, attested
A professional document services provider can coordinate these steps and help reduce delays caused by incorrect information or incomplete documentation.
Final Thoughts: How Much Should You Budget for a Dubai Notary?
So, how much does a notary cost in Dubai?
There is no universal price because the final cost depends on the type of document and the services required.
For a simple notarization, you may only need to pay the applicable government fee. For a more complicated transaction—such as a Power of Attorney requiring drafting, translation, multiple signatures, MOFA attestation or embassy legalization—the total cost can be significantly higher.
The best way to determine the exact Dubai notary cost is to provide the document type, number of signatories and intended use and request a complete quotation covering all required services.
Dubai Government provides dedicated Notary Public services covering Powers of Attorney, declarations, contracts, corporate documents, certain wills and legal notices, and Dubai's legal framework also supports electronic notary procedures.
Need a Notary Public in Dubai?
Quick Link can assist with document preparation, legal translation, notarization and related document-attestation services in Dubai.
Whether you need a Power of Attorney, declaration, corporate resolution, legal notice, will or another legal document, getting the requirements checked before submission can help you avoid unnecessary delays and additional costs.