Signature attestation in the UAE is a notary's confirmation that the person who signed a document is who they claim to be and signed it, or acknowledged the signature, in front of the notary. Banks, courts, free zones and foreign authorities ask for it on letters, contracts, declarations and company specimen signatures. Wordcraft prepares the bilingual document and arranges the notary, in person or by video.
What Signature Attestation Proves, and What It Does Not
Definition: signature attestation means the notary confirms that the person who signed a private (non-official) document is who they say they are and signed it in front of the notary, and records the date. It does not certify the content. In Arabic the service is called «تصديق توقيع».
| It confirms | It does not confirm |
|---|---|
| The signatory's identity, checked against an Emirates ID or passport | That every statement in the document is true |
| That the person signed, or acknowledged the signature, before the notary | That the document is commercially fair or enforceable in every country |
| That the signatory had capacity, and authority when signing for a company | That foreign authorities will accept it without MOFA and embassy legalization |
A notary will also refuse a document that is plainly unlawful or that the signatory does not understand, which is why the text should be in Arabic or bilingual. Our MOJ-certified legal translators prepare the Arabic version before the appointment.
Company Specimen Signatures and Signing Mandates
Banks, suppliers, foreign registries and tender committees often ask a company for a notarized specimen signature: a formal record of how each authorized signatory signs. The notary checks each signatory's authority against the trade license, the MOA or a board resolution and then attests the specimens. We prepare the specimen form and the supporting resolution so that names and titles match the license exactly. Authorized-signatory letters and bank signing mandates follow the same path.
Signature Attestation, True Copy or MOFA Attestation?
| Service | What it does | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Signature attestation | The notary confirms who signed | Letters, declarations, contracts, specimen signatures |
| Certified true copy | The notary confirms a copy matches the original | Copies of passports, degrees, company records |
| MOFA and embassy attestation | Government authorities confirm the seal or signature of the previous authority | Using a UAE document abroad, or a foreign document in the UAE |
These steps often run in sequence: the notary attests the signature, MOFA attests the notary's seal, and the destination embassy legalizes the result. The full explanation is in the difference between notarization and attestation.
Before You Sign: What to Have Ready
- The document, still unsigned, or a brief so we can draft it
- Each signatory's ID in original: Emirates ID for residents, passport for visitors
- For someone signing on behalf of a company: trade license, MOA and a resolution or POA showing authority
- For specimen signatures: the names and job titles of all signatories
- For use abroad: the destination country and any format it requires
Booking the Notary and What Follows
Share the document with us and a written quote follows within 10–30 minutes, setting out the notary route and any attestation after it. We prepare the Arabic version, you sign before the notary in person or through a UAE e-notary platform (see online notarization), and the attested document is sent to you electronically with the original delivered. If it is going abroad, MOFA and the embassy come next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is signature attestation by a notary?
It is the notary's confirmation of who signed a document, that they had capacity or authority to sign, and that they signed or acknowledged the signature in the notary's presence.
Can my signature be attested by video?
In many cases, yes, on a UAE e-notary platform. Whether the receiving authority accepts an e-notarized document is something we confirm for your case.
Does signature attestation make the content true?
No. It proves who signed, not that each statement is correct, and the signatory stays responsible for the content.
Do I need MOFA attestation after the notary?
Only for use outside the UAE. The document then goes to MOFA for digital attestation and on to the destination embassy, since apostilles are not issued in the UAE.
Can a company attest several signatories at once?
Yes. One specimen form can cover several authorized signatories, provided each attends or joins the session and their authority is documented.
Last updated: September 2026
