# Acknowledgement of Debt in Dubai > What a debt acknowledgement letter should include, how it differs from a promissory note, and how our in-house notary public notarises it in Dubai. Source: https://notaryservicesdubai.com/acknowledgment-of-debt/ Last updated: 29 September 2026 Publisher: Notary Services Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai (+971 54 380 1094) An acknowledgement of debt is a signed statement where a debtor confirms, in writing, that they owe a specific amount to a creditor and sets out how it will be repaid. In Dubai, people ask for one when a friend, a business partner, a tenant or a company has not paid what they owe and both sides want the amount and the repayment plan on paper, notarised so it is harder to dispute later. Our in-house notary public notarises it at our Business Bay office, online, or on a home visit. This page covers what the letter should say, how it differs from a promissory note and a cheque, when people notarise it, and how we prepare and notarise the document. Quick answer ## At a glance - This document (also written acknowledgement of debt, or called a declaration of debt) is a written admission of a debt and the terms for repaying it. - It can be signed privately between the two parties, or notarised before a notary public in Dubai for extra weight. - Notarisation confirms identity and that the parties signed it willingly; it does not by itself decide what a court will award if the debt is disputed. - A foreign-language debt letter needs an Arabic translation by a translator registered with the Ministry of Justice before it can be used in a Dubai Courts claim. - There is no fixed limitation period stated here. - We prepare the document, notarise it with our in-house notary public and arrange the Arabic translation. ## What this document does A declaration of debt, sometimes just called a debt letter, is the debtor's own written admission that they owe a stated amount to a named creditor. It is not a loan agreement and it does not create the debt. It records a debt that already exists, whether that is unpaid rent, an unpaid invoice, money lent between friends, or a partner's share of a business debt, and sets out how and when it will be repaid. People use it because a spoken promise is hard to prove later. A signed, dated document naming both parties, the exact amount and the repayment terms gives the creditor something concrete to point to if the debtor stops paying, and gives the debtor clarity on exactly what they agreed to. ## What to include, with a sample outline A usable debt letter should be specific, not vague. At minimum it should include: - **Full names and identification** of the debtor and the creditor, matching their Emirates ID or passport. - **The amount owed** , written in both figures and words, in the agreed currency. - **What the debt is for** , briefly (for example, unpaid rent for [property], or a personal loan dated [date]). - **The repayment terms** : a lump sum by a set date, or instalments with amounts and due dates. - **Interest, if any is agreed** , stated clearly. - **What happens if a payment is missed** , if the parties want to state consequences. - **Date and place of signing.** - **Signatures of both parties** , and witness signatures if the parties want them. A simple outline looks like this: > I, [debtor's full name], holder of Emirates ID / passport [number], acknowledge that I owe [amount in figures and words] to [creditor's full name], holder of Emirates ID / passport [number], for [reason for the debt]. I agree to repay this amount [in full by (date) / in instalments of (amount) due on (dates)]. Signed at [place] on [date]. Signature of debtor: __________ Signature of creditor: __________ Witness: __________ This is a starting outline, not a template to copy and sign as-is. We adjust the wording to match your situation before it goes for notarisation. ## Acknowledgement of debt vs promissory note vs cheque These three documents are often confused, but they do different jobs: In practice the lines blur. A debt letter can include promissory-note-style repayment terms, and a bounced cheque is often the reason someone wants a debt formally recorded and notarised in writing. ## Does it need to be notarised in Dubai It does not have to be notarised to exist as a private, signed agreement between two people. Many people choose to notarise it anyway, because notarisation means the document is signed before a notary public in Dubai, who checks the ID of both parties and confirms they signed the document in front of them, then applies the notarial seal. That process gives the document a clearer, independently verified record of who signed it and when. ## Limitation periods Some articles online quote a fixed number of years for how long a creditor has to claim on a debt. The period depends on current UAE law and the type of claim. If timing matters to your case, check with a lawyer before relying on any figure you have read elsewhere. ## Arabic translation for use before UAE courts Dubai Courts works in Arabic. If your debt letter is drafted in English or another language, it needs a certified translation into Arabic by a legal translator registered with the Ministry of Justice before it can be filed or relied on in a court claim. Bilingual drafting, Arabic alongside the other language, is common practice and makes the document easier for both parties to check, though it is the certified Arabic version the court works from. ## Steps to prepare and notarise the document 1. **Tell us the details.** The amount, what the debt is for, and the repayment terms both sides have agreed. 2. **We draft the document** , in English or bilingual English and Arabic, matched to your situation. 3. **Both parties review it** and confirm the wording, amount and repayment terms are correct. 4. **Notarise it.** Both parties sign before a notary public in Dubai, who checks their ID and applies the seal. 5. **Translate it if needed.** If the document was not drafted in Arabic, we arrange a certified legal translation for use before Dubai Courts. 6. **Keep signed copies.** Both the debtor and the creditor should keep a copy for their records. Fees ## Cost and timing The notarisation cost depends on the document and the notary route used. We will confirm the exact cost and timing for your document before you commit to anything. ## Get help with your debt letter Call or WhatsApp us at +971 54 380 1094, or email support@notaryservicesdubai.com, and we will help you put your debt letter into the right wording and notarise it with our in-house notary public. Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7. Related reading: our guide to [affidavits in Dubai](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-in-dubai-how-to-get-affidavit-in-dubai/), the related [acknowledgement of cash receipt](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/acknowledgment-of-cash-receipt/) for one-off payments, our page on the [notary public in Dubai](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/notary-public-dubai/), [corporate notary services](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/corporate-notary-services/) if the debt involves a company, and [witnessing of signature in Dubai](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/witnessing-of-signature-in-dubai/) if you only need a signature witnessed rather than a full notarisation. How we help ## How we help There are three ways to get it notarised with us: in person at our Business Bay office with our in-house notary public, through our online notary public services, or on a home visit. We prepare your debt letter, in English or bilingual with Arabic, matched to the amount and repayment terms you and the other party have agreed. Our in-house notary public checks your IDs, witnesses the signatures and applies the seal, and we take care of the Arabic translation if your document needs one for use before Dubai Courts. You and the other party review and sign; we manage the paperwork around it. FAQ ## Frequently asked questions ### What is an acknowledgement of debt? It is a signed, written statement in which a debtor confirms they owe a specific amount to a named creditor, along with how and when it will be repaid. It records a debt that already exists rather than creating a new one. ### How do I write a debt acknowledgement letter? Name both parties clearly, state the exact amount in figures and words, explain briefly what the debt is for, set out the repayment terms, and have both parties sign and date it. See the sample outline above as a starting point, then have the wording checked before signing. ### Should I sign an acknowledgement of debt? Only sign a debt letter if the amount and terms in it are accurate and you agree to them. It is a written admission of what you owe, so read it carefully, and get advice first if you are unsure about any of the terms. ### Does an acknowledgement of debt need to be notarised in Dubai? No, it can be a private signed agreement, but notarising it before a notary public adds an independently verified record of who signed it and when. ### Can an acknowledgement of debt be signed electronically? Some notarial processes in the UAE support remote or electronic signing for eligible documents through official channels. Our online notary public services cover documents that qualify; we can tell you what applies to your document when you get in touch. ### Is an acknowledgement of debt the same as a promissory note? No. A debt letter confirms a debt that already exists and how it will be repaid. A promissory note is typically drawn up at the start of a loan as a promise to pay. See the comparison table above. ### What should the letter include? The full names and ID details of both parties, the amount owed in figures and words, what the debt is for, the repayment terms, the date and place of signing, and signatures. See the full list above. More answers, grouped by topic, are on our [questions and answers page](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/faq/). Keep reading ## Related services Services ### [Affidavits and declarations](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-in-dubai-how-to-get-affidavit-in-dubai/) Need an affidavit in Dubai? See the common types, what to bring and how the notary step works. We prepare, translate and book notarisation for you. 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About this page Prepared by the Notary Services Dubai team in Business Bay, Dubai. Last reviewed . ### Official sources we checked (4) - Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022 on the Regulation of the Notary Profession, [https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1563](https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1563) - Federal Decree-Law No. 25 of 2025, Civil Transactions Law, [https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/4011](https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/4011) - Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024 on notarial fees, [https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2491](https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2491) - MOFAIC attestation service, [https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/services/attestation](https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/services/attestation) Get started ## Talk to us about your document Call or WhatsApp +971 54 380 1094, or email support@notaryservicesdubai.com, and tell us what document you have and where it needs to be used. We are at Empire Heights Tower B, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai.