The DIFC notary is the Notary Service of the Dubai International Financial Centre Courts. It works in English, is open to individuals and companies under its own rules, and offers video sessions, in-person appointments and an automated true-copy service. Wordcraft prepares and translates what you take to the DIFC Courts, helps you choose between DIFC and the Dubai Courts notary, and assists with the booking.
Affidavits, POAs and True Copies at the DIFC Courts
- Signature attestation on declarations, letters and agreements (see signature attestation)
- Affidavits and statutory-style declarations for use in the UAE or abroad
- Powers of attorney for individuals and companies
- Certified true copies of passports, degrees, corporate records and other papers (see certified true copy in Dubai)
- Company documents such as resolutions and specimen signatures
The service is not limited to DIFC entities, but the DIFC Courts set conditions for each document type, and we check them for yours before you book.
Three Ways to Use the DIFC Notary
| Option | How it works | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual session | You upload the document and meet the notary officer by video with your ID | Busy professionals and signatories outside Dubai or abroad |
| Automated true copy | An online service that certifies copies against the original, with digital verification | Copies of passports, degrees and corporate records |
| In person | An appointment with a notary officer at the DIFC Courts | Complex documents, several signatories, or where the original must be seen |
Each notarized document carries digital verification, so the party receiving it can confirm it is genuine.
DIFC vs Dubai Courts Notary: Which One?
| Point | DIFC Courts notary | Dubai Courts notary |
|---|---|---|
| Working language | English | Arabic (bilingual documents or an Arabic legal translation needed) |
| Typical users | Expats, international companies, DIFC entities | Everyone in Dubai, especially for onshore authorities |
| Best for | Documents used in English-speaking settings or abroad | Documents presented to Dubai government departments, courts and the land registry |
For a document going to an onshore authority that works in Arabic, such as the land department or an onshore court, the Dubai Courts notary or a licensed private notary is usually the easier path, often with an Arabic legal translation. For documents used abroad either can work, and we confirm the full route, which usually includes MOFA attestation and the destination embassy, before you sign.
DIFC Wills for Non-Muslims
The DIFC Courts also run a wills service through which non-Muslims can register a will covering their UAE assets and name guardians for their children, as an alternative to other registries in the UAE. We prepare and translate the supporting papers, such as passports, marriage and birth certificates and asset records; the will itself is registered with the DIFC Courts' wills service. See wills and agreements. In Abu Dhabi, the counterpart is the ADGM notary public.
What to Bring or Upload
- The document for notarization, or a brief so we can draft it
- The passport of every signatory, and the Emirates ID for UAE residents
- For true copies: the original and a clear scan
- For companies: trade license or certificate of incorporation and the resolution authorizing the signatory
- Any document in a third language, so we can translate it into English or Arabic
How We Prepare a DIFC Booking
Start with a message or a visit to our Dubai HQ in Al Twar. The written quote, ready within 10–30 minutes, says whether DIFC or the Dubai Courts notary suits your document. We then draft or review it, translate the supporting papers, help you book the virtual, automated or in-person option and brief you on what to show the notary officer. If the notarized document has to travel, we handle MOFA and the embassy next.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone use the DIFC Courts Notary Service?
It is open to individuals and companies, not only DIFC entities, within the DIFC Courts' rules for each document. We confirm your eligibility in the quote.
Does the DIFC notary accept English documents?
Yes. The DIFC Courts work in English, so an English document is normally fine. Anything in another language needs an English translation, which we provide.
Is a DIFC-notarized document valid outside DIFC?
It is an official notarization. Whether a given onshore authority or foreign country accepts it, and which attestation steps follow, depends on the recipient, and we check that before you book.
Can I get a certified true copy without visiting DIFC?
Often, yes, through the DIFC Courts' automated or virtual true-copy service, depending on the document.
Is Wordcraft part of the DIFC Courts?
No. We prepare, translate and coordinate; the DIFC Courts' notary officers do the notarizing.
Last updated: September 2026
