Certified True Copy | 4 min read
Certified True Copy Stamp: What It Says and What to Check
A certified true copy stamp is the mark a lawyer puts on a copy to show it was compared with the original and matches it. Our own licensed lawyers and legal consultants certify copies in house, in person at our office, online or on a home visit. Check the stamp before you hand the copy to anyone.
WhatsApp or call +971 52 484 1790 to book your certification.
A certified true copy stamp on its own proves little. It only means something when the statement, the signature and the date next to it are complete. Many copies are turned away because one of these is missing.
What a Certification Stamp Shows
The true copy stamp meaning is simple: the person who signed has seen the original and confirms the copy is the same. The stamp does not say the original is genuine or that its content is correct. It says the copy matches.
A certified copy seal usually sits together with a short wording and a signature. The wording is often “certified true copy of the original seen”. Without the signature, the stamp is just ink.
The Statement a Lawyer Signs
Beside the stamp, the lawyer signs a statement that the original was examined and the copy is a true copy of it. Certifying a true copy is a lawyer’s function. It is not the same act as notarization, which a notary public carries out.
A complete certification normally carries:
What to Bring and What It Costs
Bring the original document and your ID. We check your original, we certify the copy and we book your appointment.
Our fee depends on the document and the number of copies and is confirmed when you book. Some government bodies also have their own true copy service for documents they issued. For example, Dubai Development Authority charges AED 100 per document, plus AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham per transaction, but only for documents DDA itself issued. That figure is not a price for a passport or Emirates ID.
For individual documents, see our certified true copy services for individuals. For company papers, see business document certification.
Talk to us
Call or WhatsApp +971 52 484 1790, or email info@certifiedtruecopydubai.ae.
What to Check on Your Stamped Copy
Look at the copy before you leave the appointment. Fixing a mistake on the spot is much easier than after you have sent the copy abroad.
- Read the statement. It should name the document it certifies.
- Check the signature and date are present and readable.
- Confirm the stamp is clear and not smudged or cut off by the page edge.
- Compare names and numbers on the copy with your original.
- Check the page count if the document has more than one page.
If you need the copy for a body that asks for notarization by a notary public or for MOFAIC attestation, that is a separate step. Check what the receiving body requires before you book. MOFAIC attestation needs the original in Arabic or English, or with a legally certified translation, and the document must not be laminated.
Stamp on Every Page or Only the Last
This depends on the document and on the body that will read it. A short single-page document needs one stamp. A longer document may be stamped on each page, or stamped on the last page with the pages linked together, so nobody can swap a page.
Ask the receiving body whether it wants every page stamped. Tell us when you book and we will certify the copy to match. You can read how this differs from other acts in our guide to certified true copy vs notarization vs attestation.
Common Mistakes With a Stamp on a Certified Copy
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Questions
Frequently asked questions
It says the certifier has seen the original and the copy matches it. The wording sits next to the stamp, with a signature and a date. The stamp does not confirm the original is genuine.
It depends on the document and on who will receive it. Some bodies want every page stamped, others accept a stamp on the last page. Ask the receiving body, or WhatsApp us and we will advise.
The lawyer who examined your original signs. Our own licensed lawyers and legal consultants do this in house. The signature should be readable and dated.
Tell us at once and do not submit the copy. An unclear stamp or missing signature can be a reason for refusal. Contact us on WhatsApp and we will look at it.
Get In Touch
Book Your Certified Copy
WhatsApp or call +971 52 484 1790, or email info@certifiedtruecopydubai.ae. Tell us which document you need certified and where it will be used, and we will book your appointment in person at our office, online or on a home visit. For urgent requests, call or WhatsApp us and see our certified true copy attestation page.
Our office is on the 10th floor, Battuta Gate offices, Dubai, UAE. Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7.