How to Sign Documents in the UAE: Notarization, E-Signatures & Legal Enforcement

In the UAE, how you sign a document can completely change its legal power — especially if it ever needs to be enforced in court.

Whether you’re signing a loan agreement, nominee arrangement, POAs, shareholder documents or internal agreements (including board resolutions, employment contracts etc.), understanding the different signing options can save you time, money, and a potential headache later on.

First, determine what kind of document requires signing. There are three main types of documents:

• Internal Company Documents, including:

  • Board resolutions,

  • MOAs,

  • Shareholder agreements, etc.

  • Employment contracts

• Commercial Agreements between companies and individuals, including:

  • (Standard private) loan agreements (non-secured)

  • Purchase orders (SPAs)

  • Partnership agreements

  • Service contracts

  • Nominee agreements or trust agreements

  • Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)

• Enforceable Deeds - these are standardized documents that can be enforced directly without court involvement

  • Powers of attorney (POAs) for legal representation

  • Real estate transfers

  • Share pledges

  • Property pledges

  • Secured loan agreements (involving pledges, mortgage)

  • Declaration or affidavit with enforceable effect, applicable to:

    • Corporate obligations – e.g., directors or shareholders declaring consent to transactions.

    • Legal or financial undertakings – e.g., guarantees, commitments tied to contracts.

    • Loan acknowledgment / debt declaration (Iqrar bi-dayn)

      • Used in combination with a standard loan agreement, but leaves out loan terms

The three types of agreements above require different types of signing or notarization:

1. Private Signing (Standard / Witnessed Signature)

What: Sign a physical copy of the document with your signature (= wet copy).

• Optionally, use a company stamp in addition

• You may have witnesses present (who also sign; as witnesses)

• Signing a PDF copy with an electronic signature is also possible, but less safe/enforceable

Where: Anywhere in the UAE or abroad (remotely)

Used for: 

• Internal company documents: Common

• Commercial agreements: Common

• Enforceable Deeds: Not Accepted

Enforceability:

• Legally valid if signed by authorized parties; company stamps and witnesses provide additional protection.

• Not self-executing: must be proven in court if a dispute arises.

• Enforcement takes longer, as signatures may require verification (wet signature preferred over a digital signature unless DocuSign or similar apps are used).

  
  

2. Electronic Signature (e.g., DocuSign, UAE Pass)

What: Electronic apps that are used for e-signing and also verify the identity of the person signing. Supported by the Federal Law No. 46 of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services. Options include DocuSign and UAE Pass, among others.

Where:

Options include:

• DocuSign - available for anyone inside or outside the UAE

• UAE Pass - this is a UAE-government mobile app and requires an Emirates ID. DocuSign and other international apps work without Emirates ID.

Used for:

• Internal company documents: Common

• Commercial agreements: Common

• Enforceable Deeds: Not Accepted

Enforceability:

• Legally valid - added protection due to built-in identity verification.

• Not self-executing: must be proven in court if a dispute arises.

3. Notarization by Dubai Courts / Ministry of Justice (Official Notary)

What: The document is submitted to Dubai Courts (part of the Ministry of Justice), usually as a Word or PDF document. Signing is done online or in person (depending on the document).

Where: Dubai Courts Notary Public (in person) or MOJ online portal.

Used for:

• Internal company documents: Not Possible

• Commercial agreements: Not Possible

• Enforceable Deeds: Required or Highly Recommended

Enforceability:

• Immediately enforceable in court — no need for a lawsuit.

• Documents have to be legally translated into Arabic. The Arabic version is legally binding.

• Involves fees ranging from AED 800-1500+ depending on pages and matter.

4. DIFC and ADGM Notary / Registrar of Companies

What: Common-law notarization services which accept more document types than Dubai Courts / the Ministry of Justice

Where: Notary services at two common-law free zones in the UAE, DIFC and ADGM:

• DIFC Courts Notary Public Service

• ADGM Registration Authority

Used for:

• Internal company documents: Often Possible (but costly)

• Commercial agreements: Often Possible (but costly)

• Enforceable Deeds: Required or Highly Recommended

Enforceability:

• Legally valid for documents related to entities set up at DIFC or ADGM.

• Highly respected internationally (in common-law countries).

• For other document types (= non-DIFC or ADGM companies), Dubai courts still has to approve documents (in case of a dispute). Documents may also require translation/attestation.

5. Private Notary / Lawyer Attestation

What: Any UAE-based law firm may witness/verify the signing of a document, and apply its stamp. This is commonly called a "lawyer attestation". It is NOT equivalent to an official government notarization via the Ministry of Justice!

Where: Typically in-person at the law-firm's office

Used for: 

• Internal company documents: Possible

• Commercial agreements: Possible

• Enforceable Deeds: Not Accepted

Enforceability:

• Not self-executing: must be proven in court if a dispute arises.

• Adds credibility to the agreement (similar to witnesses or company stamps), may speed up court proceedings.

• This is an optional step - and not legally necessary.

6. Signing Abroad (Embassy or Apostille Route)

Used for: When one or more parties are outside the UAE.

Process:

1. Sign before a local notary public abroad (notarization = signature check)

2. Legalize via UAE Embassy in that country.

3. MOFA attestation in the UAE (attestation = government confirms document)

Notes:

• Required for official filings or powers of attorney.

• Can take several weeks to months depending on the country.

• In other countries, steps 2+3 are typically done via an apostille (attestation for international use; recognized by Hague Convention countries). However, the UAE is not part of the Hague Convention; thus, legalization at a UAE embassy and MOFA attestation in the UAE are necessary instead.