Notarisation

A notary public verifies the identity of the person signing a document and their authority and understanding, then seals it. In UAE property dealings, notarisation is required for documents that give someone legal authority or that have formal legal effect.

The usual occasions are:

• a power of attorney to buy, sell, mortgage or take handover
• company resolutions and constitutional documents where a property is bought through a company
• a landlord's 12-month eviction notice to a tenant in Dubai, which must be served through a notary public or by registered post
• wills, depending on where they are registered (see DIFC will)

Inside the UAE, notarisation is done by the notary public offices of the courts or by licensed private notaries, and some services are available by video call. Documents must be in Arabic or bilingual.

Outside the UAE, notarisation is only the first step. A document notarised in the UK has no standing in the UAE until it has been through attestation. Note also that in England and Wales a notary public is a separate profession from a solicitor. Either may be able to certify a document for legalisation, but UAE recipients often expect a notary's seal on a POA, so confirm what is required before you book.

Ask the receiving party, whether the developer, bank or land department, for their exact wording and format first. Redoing a notarised and legalised document costs weeks.