Notary services
Declaration of residency: which notary signs it, and what to bring
A declaration of residency is a signed or sworn statement of where you live, and in Dubai the declaration of residency notary can be our in-house notary public at our Business Bay office, a notary on a home visit, or a Dubai Courts notary. Banks, schools, pension funds and authorities abroad ask for it when they need to know your address and country of residence, and want it confirmed by more than your own word.
The notary does not check where you live. The notary checks who you are and watches you sign or swear the statement. The statement itself, and its truth, are yours. This page explains which office to use, what to bring, and when the office asking you really wants a different document.
Notary Services in Dubai drafts your declaration of residency in Arabic and English, and you sign it before our in-house notary public in Business Bay, online through the official remote channels where accepted, or at a home visit.
- A declaration of residency is a personal statement, signed before a notary, about where you live.
- In Dubai it is signed at a Dubai Courts service centre or a private notary office. A statement for your home country may be signed at your consulate instead.
- It can be executed as an affidavit (federal fee AED 300) or as a signature authentication (federal fee AED 200 per party), depending on how it is drafted.
- Bring your original Emirates ID or passport, and the proof of address the receiving office asked for.
- We draft a declaration of residency from AED 600, with the government fee on top at cost.
Side by side
Who asks for it, and what they really want
Read the request carefully, because three different documents go by similar names.
| What the office asks for | What it is | Who issues it |
|---|---|---|
| Declaration of residency, statement of residence | Your own statement of your address, signed before a notary | You sign; a notary seals |
| Proof of address | An existing document showing your address, such as a tenancy contract or a utility bill | Your landlord, Ejari, or the utility |
| Tax residency certificate | An official certificate that you are tax resident in the UAE | The Federal Tax Authority, through EmaraTax (tax.gov.ae), not a notary |
If the request says "tax residency certificate", a notarised declaration will not do. If it says "proof of address", a certified copy of your tenancy contract or utility bill may be what they want. A declaration of residency is right when the office asks you to state your residence yourself and have it notarised.
Side by side
Which office signs it
| Where the declaration will be used | Where to sign |
|---|---|
| A bank or authority in the UAE | Our in-house notary public in Business Bay, a home visit, or a Dubai Courts service centre. See notary offices in Dubai. |
| An authority in your home country | Your consulate in the UAE, or a UAE notary followed by MOFAIC attestation. See notary for foreign documents. |
| A matter in the DIFC | The DIFC Courts notary service, which takes declarations for DIFC matters. |
If you live outside Dubai, the notary in your own emirate works the same way. See notary offices across the UAE.
The wording
What the declaration usually says
Declaration of residency
- Your full name as in your passport, your nationality and passport number.
- Your Emirates ID number and residence status.
- Your full address in the UAE, and since when you have lived there.
- The purpose, for example "for submission to [bank or authority]".
- A statement that the information is true, and your signature.
Some receiving offices supply their own form. If yours does, use it, and we will prepare the Arabic version the notary needs beside it.
If it is going abroad
A declaration notarised in Dubai for use in another country usually needs MOFAIC attestation after the notary. MOFAIC charges AED 150 for a personal document. Some countries then want their own embassy's stamp. The UAE does not use the apostille, because it is not a party to the Apostille Convention. Our page on the difference between notary and attestation explains the order.
Prices
How we help
We read the request and tell you whether a declaration, a certified copy or an official certificate is what the office wants. We draft the declaration in Arabic and English, you sign it before our in-house notary public, and we take care of attestation if it goes abroad.
| Service | Service price |
|---|---|
| Declaration of residency | From AED 600 |
| MOFA attestation, personal document (handling) | From AED 150 |
| Courier pickup and delivery | From AED 80 |
All service prices are starting prices and are negotiable. Government fees are paid on top, at cost, exactly as the authority charges them. We confirm your final price before you pay.
Government fees and their sources are on notary public charges. Other documents we prepare are on our services.
Does the notary check that I live at the address?
No. The notary checks your identity and watches you sign or swear. The statement is yours, and a false statement is your responsibility.
Is a declaration of residency the same as a tax residency certificate?
No. A tax residency certificate is an official document from the UAE tax authority. A declaration of residency is your own statement, sealed by a notary.
Can I sign a declaration of residency at my consulate?
Often yes, if it is for use in your home country and your consulate offers that service. Check the consulate's website first.
How much does it cost?
Our service starts from AED 600. The government fee is AED 300 if it is executed as an affidavit, or AED 200 per party as a signature authentication, on the federal schedule.
Contact
Talk to us
Send us the request you received and we will tell you which document it needs.
Phone and WhatsApp
Office
707 Burj Khalifa Blvd, Marasi Drive, Business Bay, Dubai, UAE
Hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (Dubai time)
Notary services
More in this section
Hub
Notarization services in Dubai: in-house notary public at our Business Bay office, online notary through the official channels, and home visits.
Sources for this page
- Cabinet Resolution No. 19 of 2024, items 8 and 12: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/2491
- Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022, Article 7: https://uaelegislation.gov.ae/en/legislations/1563
- DIFC Courts notary service: https://www.difccourts.ae/difc-courts/services/notary-service
- MOFAIC FAQ on attestation fees: https://www.mofa.gov.ae/en/faqs
- Federal Tax Authority, Issuance of Tax Residency Certificate: tax.gov.ae (EmaraTax)