Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most about certified true copy attestation in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
General
A certified true copy is a copy of an original document that a licensed UAE legal professional, such as a lawyer or notary public, confirms matches the original. It carries an official certification mark or stamp showing it has been checked against the original document.
Certified true copy attestation at Certified True Copy Dubai is carried out in house, in person at our office, online or on a home visit, by our own licensed UAE lawyers.
Not exactly. A certified true copy confirms that a copy matches its original, while notarization can cover a wider range of legal acts, such as witnessing a signature or verifying a declaration. See our comparison guide for a fuller explanation.
They are related but not identical. Certified true copy work confirms a copy matches the original document, while attestation often refers to a further layer of verification by government or embassy authorities, depending on where the document will be used.
Yes. The original document is needed so the licensed legal professional can compare it against the copy before certifying it.
In most cases the document holder attends in person. If you cannot attend yourself, contact us before booking to check whether a representative can attend for you.
Certified true copies are commonly requested by government departments, educational institutions, employers, banks and other authorities that need a verified copy of a document rather than the original.
Documents
Yes. Passport copies are one of the most common certified true copy requests. Bring the original passport to your appointment. See our Certified True Copy of Passport page for more detail.
Yes. This is a common request for residents completing applications that require a verified copy of an Emirates ID. See our Certified True Copy of Emirates ID page for more detail.
Yes. Degree and other educational certificates can be certified as true copies. Bring the original certificate, since some institutions may also ask for further attestation steps beyond a certified true copy. See our Educational Certificates and Degrees page for more detail.
Yes. Marriage certificates can be certified as true copies for use with government departments, employers or other authorities. See our Marriage and Birth Certificates page for more detail.
Yes. Birth certificates follow the same general process as other personal documents. Bring the original certificate to your appointment.
Yes. Certified true copies of bank statements and utility bills are often requested for visa, banking or employment purposes. See our Bank Statements and Utility Bills page for more detail.
Yes. Trade licenses and other corporate documents can be certified as true copies for business purposes such as tender submissions, bank applications or renewals. See our Trade License page for more detail.
In many cases an authorized company representative can attend for certification of corporate documents such as a trade license, MOA or board resolution. Contact us before booking to confirm what is needed for your company’s documents.
Fees and Turnaround
Fees depend on the document type and number of copies, and are confirmed when you book your appointment.
Contact us to check availability for urgent requests. See our Same-Day / Urgent Certified True Copy Attestation page for more detail.
Yes, fees can vary depending on the type of document and the number of copies needed. Exact fees are confirmed at the time of booking. See our Fees and Process page for a general overview.
Locations
Yes. Certified true copy attestation can be done in Abu Dhabi as well as Dubai. See our Certified True Copy Attestation in Abu Dhabi page for more detail.
Yes. Certified true copy attestation can also be done in Sharjah. See our Certified True Copy Attestation in Sharjah page for more detail.
Appointments are set around the emirate that suits you, whether that is Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. Let us know your preferred location when you get in touch.
A certified true copy carried out by a licensed UAE legal professional is generally recognized across the UAE. If your document needs to be used for a specific purpose, check the receiving authority’s requirements, since some cases may call for further attestation.
Still Not Sure of the Difference
Certified true copy, notarization and attestation are related but different processes. For a fuller explanation of how they compare and which one you need, see our Certified True Copy vs Notarization vs Attestation guide.
Read the comparison guideKeep Reading
Related Services
Explore more about certified true copy attestation for specific documents and locations.
Have a Question We Have Not Covered?
Get in touch and we will help you get the right certified true copy attestation for your documents.
Get In Touch
Ask us a question
Fill in the form and a member of the team will get back to you.