# Photo Certification in Dubai for Visa Applications > Visa or passport form asking for a certified photo? See what the wording means; our in-house notary public certifies photos in Business Bay. Source: https://notaryservicesdubai.com/photo-certification-in-dubai/ Last updated: 29 September 2026 Publisher: Notary Services Dubai, Business Bay, Dubai (+971 54 380 1094) Photo certification in Dubai means having someone confirm, in writing on the photo itself, that it is a true likeness of you, usually by comparing it against your passport or Emirates ID and then signing, stamping and dating the back of it. Our in-house notary public certifies photos at our Business Bay office or on a home visit. Visa applications, passport renewals and some residency forms ask for this when a plain passport photo is not enough on its own. This page explains what the wording on your form needs, and when a notary in Dubai is the right person to do it. Quick answer ## At a glance - Photo certification is a signed and stamped confirmation, usually on the back of the photo, that it is a true likeness of the applicant. - Visa, passport and some residency forms ask for it; the exact wording they want on the back varies by form. - Some forms name a specific countersignatory (a professional in a named category); others accept any notary or lawyer. - A certified true copy and a certified photocopy are not quite the same thing, and forms rarely explain which they mean. - Cost depends on the number of photos and copies needed. - Our in-house notary public carries out the certification at our Business Bay office or on a home visit; we prepare your paperwork first. ## What photo certification means and which forms ask for it Most passport, visa and residency applications ask for a recent photo, and some go further and ask for that photo to be "certified" or "endorsed". This means a suitable person looks at the photo, compares it to your face and to your passport or Emirates ID, and then writes and signs a short statement on the back confirming it is a true likeness of you. The wording asked for on the back differs from form to form, some want a signature and date only, others want a specific sentence naming the document holder. This step exists because a passport-sized photo on its own carries no proof of whose face it is. The certification is what turns it from an ordinary photo into a photo endorsement the receiving authority can rely on. ## When a notary is accepted, and when the form names someone else Some countries' visa and passport forms simply ask for the photo to be certified by "a person of standing" or similar, without naming a profession. In those cases, a notary public is generally an accepted countersignatory. Other forms are stricter and list specific categories of countersignatory (certain professionals, officials or, in some systems, someone who has known you personally for a set period). If your form names a specific type of countersignatory rather than accepting any notary, check the form's own instructions before booking, since a notary will not be accepted on every form. ## Certified true copy vs certified photocopy These two terms sound alike and get used loosely, which causes confusion when a form asks for one or the other. A **certified true copy** is a copy of a document that a notary has compared against the original and confirmed is an accurate copy, with a stamp, signature and date. A **certified photocopy** usually means the same thing in practice, a photocopy that has been certified as accurate against the original, though the term is sometimes used more casually to mean any stamped copy. Where the distinction matters is what is being certified: a certified true copy of a passport is about the document matching the original, while photo certification is about the photograph matching the person. If your form is unclear about which it wants, check with the receiving authority directly. ## Steps to get a photo certified in Dubai 1. **Get your photo taken to the specification the form asks for.** Size and background requirements vary by form. 2. **Check the wording the form wants on the back.** Some forms specify exact wording for the certifier to write; others leave it open. 3. **Bring your original passport or Emirates ID.** The notary compares your photo against your original ID to confirm the likeness. 4. **The notary certifies the photo.** This means writing the required statement on the back, then signing, stamping and dating it. 5. **Collect your certified photo or photos.** You leave with the number of certified photos your form requires. We prepare your paperwork and check the form's requirements against what you have brought, and our in-house notary public carries out the identity check and the certification itself. Fees ## Cost and timing Cost depends on how many photos need certifying and how many copies you need. Call or WhatsApp +971 54 380 1094 to check the turnaround for your document. How we help ## How we help There are three ways to get it done with us: in person at our Business Bay office with our in-house notary public, on a home visit, or through our online notary public services for documents that qualify. We prepare your paperwork and check your form's photo and wording requirements, and our in-house notary public checks your identity and carries out the certification itself. If your form also needs a [certified true copy of your passport](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/passport-copy-attestation-in-dubai/), we can prepare that at the same time. For the wider certified true copy service, see our [certified true copy attestation in Dubai](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/certified-true-copy-attestation-in-dubai/) page, and read more about the role of a [notary public in Dubai](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/notary-public-dubai/) if you want to understand who carries out the certification. Call or WhatsApp +971 54 380 1094, or email support@notaryservicesdubai.com, and tell us what your form asks for and how many photos need certifying. Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7. FAQ ## Frequently asked questions ### What is photo certification for a visa? It is a written confirmation, usually signed, stamped and dated on the back of the photo, that the photo is a true likeness of the applicant. Many visa and passport forms ask for this alongside the photo itself. ### How do I get a photo certified in Dubai for a visa application? Bring your passport or Emirates ID and the photo that meets your form's specification to our Business Bay office, or ask for a home visit. Our in-house notary public compares the photo against your ID and writes, signs and stamps the certification on the back, and we prepare the paperwork for you. ### Can a photo be certified online? The certification itself needs the notary to compare your photo against your original identification in person. ### How much does photo certification cost in Dubai? Cost depends on the number of photos and copies you need certified. ### What is the difference between a certified true copy and a certified photocopy? A certified true copy is a copy of a document confirmed by a notary to match the original. A certified photocopy generally means the same thing, though the term is used loosely. Photo certification for a visa is different again: it confirms the photo is a true likeness of you, not that a document copy matches an original. More answers, grouped by topic, are on our [questions and answers page](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/faq/). Keep reading ## Related services Services ### [Certified true copies](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/certified-true-copy-attestation-in-dubai/) Need a certified true copy in Dubai? Learn who can certify a copy, what to bring, and how we handle true copy attestation for you. Read more Certified true copies ### [Passport copy attestation](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/passport-copy-attestation-in-dubai/) Need a certified true copy of your passport in Dubai for a bank, company or embassy? Bring the original and we prepare the certified copy for you. Read more Certified true copies ### [Bank statement copy](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/certified-copy-of-a-bank-statement-in-dubai/) Need a certified true copy of a bank statement for a visa or embassy? See when a bank stamp is enough and when a notarised copy is required. Read more More in certified true copies - [Proof of address](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/proof-of-address-certification-in-dubai/) - [True copy in Abu Dhabi](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/certified-true-copy-attestation-in-abu-dhabi/) - [True copy in Sharjah](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/certified-true-copy-attestation-in-sharjah/) - [Power of attorney](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/power-of-attorney-in-dubai/) - [Documents attestation](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/documents-attestation-in-dubai/) - [Affidavits and declarations](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/affidavit-in-dubai-how-to-get-affidavit-in-dubai/) - [Child travel and NOC](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/child-travel-consent-in-the-uae/) - [Company documents](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/corporate-notary-services/) - [Legal notices](https://notaryservicesdubai.com/legal-notices-in-dubai/) 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/). About this page Prepared by the Notary Services Dubai team in Business Bay, Dubai. Last reviewed . ### Official sources we checked (2) - Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013 concerning Notaries Public in the Emirate of Dubai (Dubai Legislation portal, dlp.dubai.gov.ae) - 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.