# How to Get an Affidavit in Dubai, Step by Step > Need an affidavit in Dubai? See the common types and what to bring. We prepare and translate it, and our in-house notary public notarises it. Source: https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-in-dubai-how-to-get-affidavit-in-dubai/ Last updated: 29 September 2026 Publisher: Notary Services Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai (+971 54 380 1094) An affidavit in Dubai is a written statement of facts that you sign in front of a notary public, who checks your identity and witnesses your signature so the document can be relied on by a court, an authority or an embassy. Our in-house notary public does this at our Business Bay office, online, or on a home visit. Most people need one for a specific reason: sponsoring a relative, confirming their marital status, proving where they live, or backing up a claim they cannot otherwise document. This page walks through what an affidavit is, the types people ask for most, and the steps from drafting to notarisation and, if the document is going abroad, attestation. Quick answer ## At a glance - An affidavit is a sworn statement, signed before a notary public, who checks the signer's ID and witnesses the signature. - Notarial acts in the UAE are regulated federally by Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022, and in Dubai by Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013. - The federal fee schedule sets executing and notarising an affidavit at AED 300 (Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024, in force from 16 March 2024). A private notary in Dubai adds professional fees on top, set separately. - The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so an affidavit for use abroad follows the attestation chain (notary, then MOFAIC, then the destination country's requirements), not an apostille. - Some affidavits are only executed at your own embassy or consulate, not at a UAE notary; check before you book an appointment. - The signer, called the affiant or deponent, must usually attend in person with original ID. In this group ## Pages in this group - [Affidavit of support](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-support-in-the-uae/) - [Affidavit of same person](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-same-person/) - [Affidavit of single status](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-single-status/) - [Common law union declaration](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/statuary-declaration-of-common-law-union/) - [Declaration of residency](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/declaration-of-residency-uae/) - [Declaration of unemployment](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/declaration-of-unemployment-in-uae/) - [Gift deed](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/gift-deed-in-dubai/) - [Acknowledgement of debt](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/acknowledgment-of-debt/) - [Acknowledgement of cash receipt](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/acknowledgment-of-cash-receipt/) - [Wills](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/wills-in-uae-secure-your-legacy-in-the-emirates/) - [Commissioner of oaths](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/commissioner-of-oaths-in-dubai/) Services ## What we cover under affidavits and declarations 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. Affidavits and declarations ### [Affidavit of support](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-support-in-the-uae/) What an affidavit of support is, the documents you need, and how it works in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We prepare, translate and book notarisation for you. Read more Affidavits and declarations ### [Affidavit of same person](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-same-person/) Names spelled differently on your documents? How an affidavit of one and the same person works, what to bring, and how we prepare it in Dubai. Read more Affidavits and declarations ### [Affidavit of single status](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-single-status/) Getting married or applying abroad? How an affidavit of single status works in Dubai, what it should say, and how we prepare notarisation. Read more Affidavits and declarations ### [Common law union declaration](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/statuary-declaration-of-common-law-union/) Applying to Canada from Dubai? How the IMM 5409 common law declaration is signed, who can witness it, and how we book a notary appointment. Read more Affidavits and declarations ### [Declaration of residency](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/declaration-of-residency-uae/) How a UAE declaration of residency works, what it should say, the documents that back it up, and how we handle notarisation in Dubai. Read more Affidavits and declarations ### [Declaration of unemployment](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/declaration-of-unemployment-in-uae/) Need to show you are not working? What a UAE declaration of unemployment says, who asks for it, and how we handle notarisation in Dubai. Read more Affidavits and declarations ### [Gift deed](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/gift-deed-in-dubai/) How gifting property in Dubai works, who you can gift to, the documents needed, and how we handle the gift deed and notarised papers. Read more Affidavits and declarations ### [Acknowledgement of debt](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/acknowledgment-of-debt/) What an acknowledgement of debt should include, how it differs from a promissory note, and how we prepare it and book your notary in Dubai. Read more Affidavits and declarations ### [Acknowledgement of cash receipt](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/acknowledgment-of-cash-receipt/) What an acknowledgement of cash receipt should include, when to notarise it, and how we prepare it and book your notary in Dubai. Read more Affidavits and declarations ### [Wills](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/wills-in-uae-secure-your-legacy-in-the-emirates/) How expats make a will in Dubai, where to register it, what a mirror will is, and how we prepare it and book your appointment. Read more Guide ### [Commissioner of oaths](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/commissioner-of-oaths-in-dubai/) Searching for a commissioner of oaths in Dubai? See who swears documents in the UAE instead, and how we book your sworn statement with a notary. Read more Our [notary services in Dubai](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/) cover the full affidavit process: drafting, translation, notarisation by our in-house notary public and taking care of the attestation step that follows. If you already know which type you need, jump straight to its page: [affidavit of support](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-support-in-the-uae/), [affidavit of the same person](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-same-person/), [affidavit of single status](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-single-status/), [declaration of residency](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/declaration-of-residency-uae/) or [declaration of unemployment](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/declaration-of-unemployment-in-uae/). ## What an affidavit is, and when you need one An affidavit is a statement of facts that you swear or affirm is true, then sign in front of a notary public. It is different from a normal letter because signing it under oath carries legal weight: authorities can act on it as though it had been tested in court, and knowingly putting false information in it is a serious matter. People in Dubai most often need an affidavit for: - **Immigration and visa support** , such as an [affidavit of support](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-support-in-the-uae/) for a family member's visa application. - **Confirming identity across documents** , when your name is spelled differently on two official papers and an [affidavit of the same person](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-same-person/) links them. - **Marital status** , when a foreign authority or a UAE process needs an [affidavit of single status](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-single-status/). - **Residency and employment status** , through a [declaration of residency](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/declaration-of-residency-uae/) or a [declaration of unemployment](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/declaration-of-unemployment-in-uae/). - **Sworn statements for court or a foreign process** , where you are asked for a "sworn affidavit" rather than a plain letter. ## Common affidavit and declaration types Each of these is a distinct document with its own wording and, often, its own supporting evidence. Naming the wrong one to the notary or the receiving authority is one of the most common reasons a document gets sent back for correction. ## Step by step: how to get an affidavit in Dubai 1. **Work out exactly what the receiving authority wants.** Ask for the specific wording, whether it must be in Arabic or can be bilingual, and whether they need it notarised, attested, or both. This one question avoids most rejections. 2. **Draft the affidavit.** We prepare the wording in plain, accurate language: your details, the facts you are swearing to, and the formal declaration of truth. If the document is going to a UAE authority, it is usually drafted in Arabic or bilingual Arabic-English. 3. **Translate it if needed.** If your affidavit needs to be understood in two languages, the Arabic side is done by a legal translator registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice, not a general translation service. 4. **Attend the notary appointment.** You sign the affidavit in front of the notary public, who checks your ID and witnesses the signature. With us, that is our in-house notary public, and we confirm what to bring. 5. **Pay the notary fee.** The federal schedule sets AED 300 for executing and notarising an affidavit. A private notary in Dubai charges this plus its own professional fee, set under a separate Dubai Courts decision. 6. **Get it attested, if the document is going abroad.** After notarisation, the affidavit goes to MOFAIC for attestation, then may need attestation at the destination country's embassy in the UAE or, once it arrives, at that country's foreign ministry. The UAE is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so no apostille stamp exists for a UAE-issued document; the attestation chain above is what a foreign authority expects to see. This chain sounds like more steps than it is. Each stage has its own office and its own queue, so knowing the order in advance, notary first, then MOFAIC, then the destination embassy if one is needed, saves a wasted trip. ## Documents to bring, and who must attend - Your original passport and, if you are a resident, your Emirates ID. - Any supporting document the affidavit refers to (a marriage certificate, a tenancy contract, a salary certificate, whatever backs up the facts you are swearing to). - The unsigned draft affidavit, if you have already prepared one, or the exact wording the receiving authority requires. The affiant, meaning the person making the sworn statement, normally has to attend the notary appointment in person so the notary can confirm their identity and witness the signature. If you are outside the UAE, ask about the Ministry of Justice's E-Notary system or a virtual notary appointment rather than assuming you must travel. ## Affidavits for use inside the UAE vs affidavits for use abroad An affidavit that stays inside the UAE, for example one submitted to a Dubai bank or a local authority, generally only needs notarisation. An affidavit going to a foreign court, embassy or immigration office usually needs the extra attestation step described above, and the destination country decides what it will accept, not an apostille, because the UAE is not a party to the Apostille Convention. Some destinations run their own consular process instead of a UAE notary appointment. A common example is the sponsor affidavit some Philippine visa applications require: it is executed at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate itself, not at a Dubai notary. Always check the receiving authority's exact instructions before booking, because a UAE notary cannot substitute for a document your own embassy has to issue. Our [affidavit of support](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-support-in-the-uae/) page sets out which route applies to which nationality. ## Common mistakes that get an affidavit rejected - Signing the affidavit before the notary appointment. The notary has to witness the signature, so sign in front of them, not before. - Assuming any affidavit can be apostilled. It cannot, because the UAE is not a party to the Apostille Convention; it only offers the attestation chain described above. - Using a translation that is not from a legal translator registered with the Ministry of Justice, when the receiving authority needs an official translation. - Getting the wrong type of affidavit. "Affidavit of support" and "affidavit of the same person" are not interchangeable; check the exact document name the authority asked for. - Missing a required original document at the appointment, which means rebooking. ## Get help with your affidavit Call or WhatsApp us on +971 54 380 1094, or email support@notaryservicesdubai.com, and tell us which authority is asking for the affidavit. We will confirm the wording, language and documents you need before you book an appointment. Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7. 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 and draft your affidavit in the correct wording and language, translate it where a legal translation is required, and tell you exactly what to bring. Our in-house notary public checks your ID, witnesses your signature and applies the seal. Where the affidavit needs to travel further, we take care of the MOFAIC attestation step and explain what the destination country will also ask for. You still sign the document yourself, in front of the notary, because that is what makes it a valid sworn statement. FAQ ## Frequently asked questions ### How do I get an affidavit in Dubai? You have it drafted in the correct wording and language, then sign it in person before a notary public, who checks your ID and witnesses the signature. If the document is going abroad, it then goes through MOFAIC attestation. ### Does an affidavit have to be notarised? Yes. An affidavit only has legal weight once it has been sworn and signed in front of a notary public, who confirms the signer's identity and witnesses the signature. ### How much does an affidavit cost in Dubai? The federal schedule sets executing and notarising an affidavit at AED 300. A private notary in Dubai adds its own professional fee on top, under a separate Dubai Courts fee decision. ### Where can I get my affidavit notarised? At our Business Bay office with our in-house notary public, online, or on a home visit. It can also be done at a Government notary public office under Dubai Courts, or at a private notary, which is a lawyer licensed by Dubai Courts to carry out the work of a notary. See our page on [notary public services in Dubai](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/notary-public-dubai/) for how the two compare. ### Can I apply for an affidavit online? Some affidavits can be started or completed remotely through the Ministry of Justice's E-Notary system or a virtual notary appointment, but this depends on the document and your situation. ### What is an affidavit of residency? A declaration of residency confirms where you live in the UAE for a foreign authority, employer or institution that needs proof of your address. See our [declaration of residency](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/declaration-of-residency-uae/) page for the full requirements. ### Does an affidavit need to be in Arabic? UAE notarial documents are generally drafted in Arabic, with bilingual Arabic-English versions common in practice. ### Where can I get an affidavit form? The wording depends on what you are swearing to and who is asking for it, so there is no single universal form. We draft the affidavit to match the exact requirement the receiving authority has given you. More answers, grouped by topic, are on our [questions and answers page](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/faq/). Reviews ## What clients say Read what people we have helped say about us on our Google profile, or read [about Notary Services Dubai](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/about-notary-services-in-dubai/). Keep reading ## Related services Affidavits and declarations ### [Affidavit of support](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-support-in-the-uae/) What an affidavit of support is, the documents you need, and how it works in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. We prepare, translate and book notarisation for you. Read more Affidavits and declarations ### [Affidavit of same person](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-same-person/) Names spelled differently on your documents? How an affidavit of one and the same person works, what to bring, and how we prepare it in Dubai. Read more Affidavits and declarations ### [Affidavit of single status](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-of-single-status/) Getting married or applying abroad? How an affidavit of single status works in Dubai, what it should say, and how we prepare notarisation. Read more More pages you may need - [Common law union declaration](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/statuary-declaration-of-common-law-union/) - [Declaration of residency](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/declaration-of-residency-uae/) - [Declaration of unemployment](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/declaration-of-unemployment-in-uae/) - [Gift deed](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/gift-deed-in-dubai/) - [Acknowledgement of debt](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/acknowledgment-of-debt/) - [Acknowledgement of cash receipt](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/acknowledgment-of-cash-receipt/) - [Wills](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/wills-in-uae-secure-your-legacy-in-the-emirates/) - [Commissioner of oaths](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/commissioner-of-oaths-in-dubai/) - [Power of attorney](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/power-of-attorney-in-dubai/) About this page Prepared by the Notary Services Dubai team in Business Bay, Dubai. Last reviewed . ### Official sources we checked (6) - 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) - Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013 concerning Notaries Public in the Emirate of Dubai: Dubai Legislation portal (dlp.dubai.gov.ae) - 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) - Hague Apostille Convention status table (UAE not a party): [https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41](https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=41) - UAE Ministry of Justice E-Notary System: [https://www.moj.gov.ae/en/services/esystems/e-notary.aspx](https://www.moj.gov.ae/en/services/esystems/e-notary.aspx) 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.