Three different legal processes are often confused with one another. Here is what each one actually means and which one your document needs.
Three processes, often confused
Certified true copy, notarization, and attestation each serve a different legal purpose, even though they sometimes involve the same professionals and can apply to the same document at different stages. Understanding the difference helps you request the right service the first time, instead of paying for the wrong one or missing a step a receiving authority actually requires.
Certified true copy, notarization, and attestation compared
Certified True Copy
A certified true copy is a copy of an original document that has been examined and confirmed to be a true, accurate, and complete reproduction of that original. Our own licensed UAE lawyers examine your original document in house, compare it against the copy, and certify the copy as true.
Notarization
Notarization is a broader category of legal act performed by a notary public, and certifying a true copy is only one example of it. Notarization can also cover witnessing a signature, taking a sworn declaration, authenticating a power of attorney, or formalizing an affidavit. A document can be notarized without involving a true copy at all, for example when a notary public witnesses someone signing an original document.
Attestation
Attestation is a legalization step that confirms the authenticity of a signature, seal, or stamp already on a document, usually so that document can be recognized and used in another country or by another government authority. Attestation is often required after a document has already been notarized or certified as a true copy, particularly for documents that need to be used abroad, and it can involve government bodies such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an embassy or consulate.
Which one do you need
If you need proof that a copy matches an original document, you likely need a certified true copy. If you need a signature witnessed, a declaration sworn, or a power of attorney formalized, you likely need notarization. If your document needs to be recognized by an authority in another country, or by a government body here that requires legalized signatures and seals, you likely need attestation, possibly on top of notarization or a certified true copy. If you are not sure, tell us what the document is for and who is asking for it, and we can help identify which process applies.
Which situation calls for which process
- Submitting a copy of your passport or Emirates ID to a bank or institution: usually a certified true copy
- Signing a power of attorney or sworn declaration: usually notarization
- Sending a UAE-issued document abroad for use by a foreign authority: usually attestation, often after notarization or certification
- Applying to a foreign university with a copy of your degree certificate: usually a certified true copy, sometimes followed by attestation
- Registering a company document with a government department that requires legalized signatures: usually attestation
Common mistakes people make
- Requesting attestation when a simple certified true copy is all that is needed
- Assuming notarization and certified true copy are the same service
- Not asking the receiving authority which specific process it requires
- Skipping a required attestation step for a document headed abroad
- Assuming one process automatically includes the others
Done in house by our own licensed lawyers
Whichever process applies, the certification is carried out in house by our own licensed UAE lawyers, and we work with the relevant government authority for attestation steps such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Common questions
Is a certified true copy the same as notarization?
No. A certified true copy confirms a copy matches an original document, while notarization covers a broader range of acts, including witnessing signatures and formalizing declarations. Certifying a true copy is one specific thing a notary public can do, not the whole of notarization.
What does true copy attestation actually mean?
It means a licensed legal professional has examined your original document, compared it to a copy, and certified that the copy is a true and accurate reproduction.
What is the difference between a notary and a true copy?
A notary public is the licensed professional who can perform several different legal acts, and certifying a true copy is one of them. Notary refers to the professional, and true copy refers to one specific service they can provide.
Do I need attestation as well as a certified true copy?
It depends on where the document is going. If it only needs to be used within the UAE, a certified true copy alone is often enough. If it needs to be recognized abroad, attestation is often required on top of it.
How do I know which process my document needs?
Ask the receiving authority, whether that is a bank, embassy, employer, or government department, exactly what they require. If you are unsure, tell us the document type and its purpose and we can help identify the right process.
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