Certified True Copy
When an authority wants proof of a document you cannot hand over, a certified true copy stands in for the original — verified, notarised and accepted across the UAE.
A certified true copy is a photocopy that an authorised party has confirmed is a faithful reproduction of an original it has physically seen. It exists for a simple reason: some documents you cannot surrender. A passport, a single original degree, a trade licence in daily use — you need the document and the authority needs proof of it at the same time.
People usually arrive at a certified true copy from the same direction: an authority has asked for a document, and handing over the original is not an option.
Sometimes that is because there is only one. A degree certificate issued once, decades ago, by a university that no longer answers correspondence. Sometimes it is because you need the document yourself — a passport you are travelling on, a trade licence the business runs on day to day.
What certification actually does
An uncertified photocopy proves nothing. Anyone can produce one, and any authority that accepted them would be accepting an unverified claim.
Certification puts a third party with standing behind the copy. They compare it against the original in front of them and attest that the two match, then sign and stamp to that effect. That signature is the entire product — the paper is incidental.
Where they get used
- Bank account opening and corporate banking files
- Company formation, licensing and branch registration
- Visa and residency applications requiring proof of qualifications
- Court and tribunal submissions
- Tender and pre-qualification packs
The one constraint that sets the timeline
The original has to be physically produced. There is no route that works from a scan, because the whole point is that someone has seen the original and the copy side by side.
That is why collection matters more here than on other services. We arrange it, the original stays in our custody, and it comes back to you with the certified copy — but the appointment itself is the fixed point in the schedule.
Order more than you need
The marginal cost of a second copy at the same appointment is small. The cost of coming back later is producing the original again, which is the slow and inconvenient part.
If you are assembling a file that several authorities will each want a copy of, count the recipients and add one.
Documents required
- 01 The original document, presented in person or via our collection service
- 02 A clear photocopy of every page to be certified
- 03 Passport copy of the document holder
- 04 Emirates ID copy where the holder is UAE-resident
- 05 Authorisation letter where a company document is being certified
Special requirements
- § The original must be produced for certification — there is no route that works from a scan alone. This is the constraint that sets the timeline, so factor in collection if you are outside our usual routes.
- § Where the receiving authority is a court, a bank or a licensing body, confirm the acceptable certifying source before processing. Requirements differ between emirates and between institutions, and a copy certified by the wrong party is refused outright.
Attestation procedure
- 01 Original reviewed against the copy
- 02 Certification by the appropriate authority
- 03 Legal translation where the receiving body requires Arabic
- 04 Attestation where the copy will be used officially
- 05 Original and certified copy returned to you
Insider tips
Frequently asked questions
Because an uncertified photocopy proves nothing — anyone can produce one. Certification is a third party with standing confirming they compared the copy against the original in front of them. That signature and stamp is the whole product.
Yes, at the moment of certification — the certifying party has to physically see it. It never leaves our custody and comes straight back to you with the certified copy. We collect and return anywhere in the UAE.
Not universally. Some authorities insist on sighting the original regardless, and some accept a certified copy only from a specific source. Tell us which body is asking and we will confirm what they will take before anything is processed.
Usually, but the order matters. If the foreign document itself has not been attested for UAE use, certifying a copy of it does not make the underlying document valid here. We will tell you at intake whether attestation needs to come first.
As many as you need from the same original, and it is worth over-ordering. Coming back for a second copy later means presenting the original again, which is the slow part of the process.
The certification itself does not, but receiving authorities often impose their own recency rule — three months is common for bank and licensing files. Ask the receiving body before assuming an older copy will be taken.
You may also need
Power of Attorney Attestation
A power of attorney is only useful if the receiving authority accepts it. That usually comes down to one choice: general or special.
Processing
5-7 business days
General Power of Attorney
A general power of attorney grants broad authority across your affairs — banking, business representation, managing assets — rather than one defined act.
Processing
5-7 business days
Special Power of Attorney
A special power of attorney authorises one named act: selling a specific property, representing you in a specific case, transferring a specific vehicle.
Processing
5-7 business days
Tell us what you're working toward. We'll map every stamp.
Visa, job, university, company formation — share the objective and we'll return a full attestation plan with timelines and fees within one business day.