Certified True Copy Attestation Fees and Process in Dubai
Understand what shapes the cost of certified true copy attestation in the UAE before you book, from document type to urgency, so there are no surprises on the day.
The fee for certified true copy attestation is not a single fixed number. It depends on the type of document, how many copies you need, whether the document is personal or corporate, and which licensed professional or authority performs the certification.
Two different routes can apply, and they are priced differently. Our own licensed UAE lawyers can certify most personal and business documents, while some documents can only be certified as true copies by the specific government authority that originally issued them. We explain both below.
What Drives the Cost
Fee Factors and a Real Government Example
Several factors influence what you pay for certified true copy attestation. These typically include the document type, the number of copies, whether translation is needed first, whether the appointment is standard or urgent, and whether a personal or corporate document is involved.
A published government example
As one concrete example of how a government authority prices this for documents it issued, the Dubai Development Authority (dda.gov.ae) publishes a fee of AED 100 per document for true copy attestation of documents DDA itself issued, such as a commercial license or certificate of incorporation, plus AED 10 Knowledge Dirham and AED 10 Innovation Dirham, with an estimated two working day turnaround when applied for online.
This DDA figure is a narrow, government-specific example. It applies only to documents that DDA itself issued, not to personal documents like a passport or Emirates ID, and not to documents issued by other authorities. Government fees change, so reconfirm the current figure directly with DDA before relying on it for planning.
Check the current DDA fee on dda.gov.aeTwo Routes
Two Routes to a Certified True Copy
Route 1: A Licensed Legal Professional
For personal documents such as a passport, Emirates ID, driving license, educational certificate, or marriage and birth certificate, and for most business documents such as an MOA or board resolution, one of our own licensed lawyers or legal consultants examines the original and certifies the copy.
Route 2: Directly From the Issuing Government Authority
For documents that a specific government authority itself issued, that same authority may offer true copy attestation of its own documents directly, as in the DDA example above. This route only applies when the authority attesting the copy is the one that issued the original document, so it does not cover personal documents or documents issued by a different authority.
The Process
How the Process Works
- Share the document type, number of copies, and your deadline with us
- We confirm which route applies, our own lawyers and legal consultants or the issuing authority
- You book an appointment and gather the required originals
- Our lawyer or legal consultant, or the issuing authority, examines and certifies the copy
- You receive your certified true copy ready for its intended use
Before You Book
What You Will Need
- The original document to be copied and certified
- Valid Emirates ID or passport for identification
- Any translation of the document, if required
- Authorization letter, if a representative is attending for you
- Details of the receiving authority’s specific requirements, if any
Same-Day Surcharge
If you need your certified true copy the same day, an additional fee for priority scheduling may apply. Visit our Same-Day Certified True Copy Attestation page for more on how urgent turnaround works.
Avoid These
Fee-Related Mistakes to Avoid
Worked Examples
Fee Scenarios
An individual needs a single certified copy of their passport for a visa application and wants to understand the likely cost range before booking.
A company needs certified copies of its trade license and MOA for a bank account opening, and wants to know whether the DDA fee example applies to its situation or whether a licensed lawyer or notary public is the right route.
A parent needs certified copies of a child’s birth certificate for a school application and is comparing the cost of standard versus urgent processing.
Who Certifies
Certified by Our Own Licensed Professionals
Every certified true copy we issue is examined and certified in house by one of our own licensed lawyers or legal consultants authorized to perform this function, or by the relevant government authority for documents it issued.
Fee Guidance Across the Emirates
We issue certified true copies for clients in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Fee factors are broadly similar across these emirates, though government-specific fees, like the DDA example above, apply only within that authority’s own jurisdiction.
Reviews
What clients say
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These pages cover related certification needs and may help you plan your document and budget.
Questions
Fees FAQs
Cost depends on document type, number of copies, and whether the appointment is standard or urgent.
No. That fee is published by the Dubai Development Authority specifically for true copy attestation of documents DDA itself issued, such as a commercial license, not for personal documents like a passport or Emirates ID.
Corporate documents can involve more pages or additional verification steps, which may affect cost.
Same-day appointments can carry an additional fee for priority scheduling.
For documents that a specific authority itself issued, such as a DDA-issued commercial license, that authority may offer its own true copy attestation service. For most personal and other business documents, certification in house by our own licensed UAE lawyers is the applicable route.
Government fees are set independently and can change, so always reconfirm the current figure with the relevant authority before finalizing your budget.
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