What true copy attestation means
True copy attestation is a certification that a photocopy faithfully matches its original. In Dubai, a lawyer or notary inspects your original passport, compares it with the copy and then signs, dates and stamps the copy with a statement confirming the copy is accurate and complete. You can then submit the certified copy in place of your passport, which stays safely with you.
When you might need one
Organizations ask for certified copies when they need reliable proof of identity but cannot inspect your original in person. These are some of the most common reasons residents in the UAE are asked for one.
- Immigration or visa applications for countries such as Canada, Australia, the UK and the USA
- Forming a company in an offshore jurisdiction
- Buying or selling property
- Opening an account with a bank overseas
- Providing identity evidence in court proceedings
Check what the receiving body wants
The organization that will receive your copy decides what it accepts, so read its instructions before you visit a certifier. Some ask for specific wording, the certifier’s full name and professional details, or a signature on every page. Others want only the photo page, while some need every page including visas, and a few accept copies only if they were certified recently.
The process in Dubai, step by step
Once you know the requirements, the certification itself is usually simple and quick. Bring a valid passport, since an expired one may not be accepted for many purposes, and ask for a colour copy if the receiving body prefers one so that your photo is easy to recognize.
- Make a clear photocopy of the required passport pages on plain white paper
- Take the original passport and the copy to a lawyer or notary
- The certifier compares the original with the copy
- They add a certification statement, signature, official stamp and date
- Collect your original passport together with the certified copy
Can it be done without visiting an office?
Because the certifier must see your original passport, true copy attestation normally involves presenting it in person. Some document service providers can collect your passport and copy, arrange the certification and return both to you, which saves a trip. If you go this way, hand your passport only to a trusted, properly licensed provider and keep a record of when it leaves and comes back.
Using the copy outside the UAE
A copy certified in Dubai may need extra steps before a foreign authority will accept it. Depending on the destination, this can include attestation from the UAE’s foreign affairs ministry (MOFA), followed by authentication at the embassy of the country concerned. Processing times vary with the country and the number of stages involved, so start early and check the current requirements.
- Ask the receiving body exactly which legalization it expects
- Allow extra time if several authorities are involved
- Order more than one certified copy if you are making several applications
- Keep scans of each certified copy for your own records
Other documents certified the same way
The same true copy process works for many other personal and business papers, not just passports. If one application asks for several certified copies, it often makes sense to have them all done in a single visit, as long as you bring every original with you.
- Emirates ID cards
- Academic degrees, diplomas and transcripts
- Tenancy contracts and utility bills used as proof of address
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Company documents such as trade licences
How we can help
If you need a passport copy certified for an application or a legal matter, our team can arrange the true copy attestation and advise you on any further legalization. We will guide you through the next steps so your copy is ready for use.