What Is True Copy Attestation?
A true copy — sometimes called a certified copy or certified true copy (CTC) — is a photocopy of an original document that has been reviewed and certified by an authorised person (typically a licensed lawyer, notary public, or designated government official) to confirm that the copy is an accurate, complete, and unaltered reproduction of the original document. The certifying authority stamps and signs the copy, making it legally equivalent to the original for the purposes of submission to the relevant institution.
In the UAE, true copy attestation is routinely required when institutions need to verify your documents but cannot or will not accept an original for retention purposes, when documents must be submitted to multiple authorities simultaneously, or when the original document must remain with you for other purposes.
MRP Business Services facilitates true copy attestation through licensed UAE lawyers, ensuring your certified copies meet the specific requirements of the institution you are submitting them to — whether a UAE bank, a government ministry, an immigration authority, or a foreign embassy.
Why Do Banks and Government Require True Copies?
Banks and government authorities in the UAE do not typically retain original documents permanently. However, they need to verify that the documents you submit are genuine. A true copy — certified by a licensed professional — gives them the legal assurance they need without requiring you to surrender irreplaceable originals such as passports, educational certificates, or property deeds.
Specific reasons include:
- Bank KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance: UAE banks are required by the Central Bank of the UAE to verify the identity and background of all customers. True copies of passports, Emirates IDs, and corporate documents are standard KYC submissions.
- Government applications: DED, Ministry of Human Resources, GDRFA, and other government departments accept true copies of supporting documents in lieu of originals for licensing, visa, and permit applications.
- Court submissions: UAE courts and the DIFC Courts accept certified true copies of evidence documents to be placed on the court record while originals are returned to the parties.
- Embassy submissions: Embassies and consulates in Dubai require true copies as part of visa and residency applications for foreign nationals.
- Simultaneous multi-authority submission: When you need to submit the same document to more than one authority at the same time, true copies allow multiple parallel submissions.
Who Can Certify a True Copy in Dubai?
In the UAE, the following professionals and authorities are authorised to certify documents as true copies:
- Licensed UAE Lawyers: Lawyers registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice are the most commonly used certifiers for true copies in Dubai. Their stamp is accepted by banks, government authorities, embassies, and courts.
- Authorised Notaries Public: UAE-licensed notaries can also certify true copies, providing notarial certification in addition to verification of authenticity. This is a higher level of certification and may be required for documents going through MOFA.
- Specific Government Authorities: In limited circumstances, certain government authorities can certify copies of documents they themselves issued — for example, DED can certify a copy of a trade license, and the Land Department can certify a copy of a title deed.
Documents Commonly Attested as True Copies
Personal Identity Documents
- Passport (all pages, or the personal data page)
- UAE Emirates ID (front and back)
- UAE Residence Visa
- National ID cards from home countries
- Driving licence (UAE and foreign)
Corporate and Business Documents
- UAE Trade License (issued by DED, freezone, or municipality)
- Memorandum of Association (MOA)
- Articles of Association
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Share certificates
- Board resolutions and shareholder resolutions
- Commercial registration extracts
- Chamber of Commerce certificates
- Bank statements and financial statements (in certain contexts)
Legal and Property Documents
- Power of Attorney
- Title deeds and property ownership documents
- Tenancy contracts
- Court judgments and orders
- Marriage certificates and family book (khulasat al qayd)
- Birth and death certificates
- Divorce certificates
Educational and Professional Certificates
- University degrees and diplomas
- Professional certifications and qualifications
- Transcripts and marksheets
- Medical licences and professional registration certificates
The True Copy Attestation Process — Step by Step
Step 1: Bring Original + Photocopies
Bring the original document to the MRP office along with a clear photocopy. If you have not made photocopies, we can prepare them for you. The quality of the photocopy matters — it must be clear, legible, and a complete reproduction (all pages, where applicable).
Step 2: Verification Against Original
The licensed lawyer compares the photocopy against the original document, page by page, to confirm it is a complete and accurate reproduction. They also verify that the original document is genuine and has not been tampered with, forged, or altered.
Step 3: Lawyer Stamps and Signs
On each page of the certified copy, the lawyer applies their official stamp (bearing their licence number) and countersigns with the date and the statement: "I certify this to be a true copy of the original document." This act legally certifies the copy.
Step 4: Delivery
The certified true copy is returned to you, ready for submission. Typical turnaround is on the same day for standard documents. MRP also offers bulk certification for businesses that regularly need large volumes of true copies — for example, for new employee onboarding or visa applications.
True Copy Requirements by Institution Type
UAE Bank Requirements
Banks in the UAE require true copies of passports and Emirates IDs for all account holders and authorized signatories. Corporate accounts additionally require certified true copies of the trade license, MOA, and board resolutions. Most UAE banks accept true copies certified by any UAE-licensed lawyer.
UAE Immigration (GDRFA) Requirements
For certain visa applications and residency procedures, GDRFA requires true copies of supporting documents — particularly when the original is from a foreign country and the original must be returned to the applicant. MRP coordinates with immigration-specialist lawyers to ensure copies meet GDRFA's specific format requirements.
Court and Legal Proceedings
UAE courts require true copies to be certified and, in some instances, notarized. For documents to be used as evidence in court proceedings, MRP recommends both lawyer attestation and notarization to ensure acceptance without challenge.
True Copy vs Certified Copy vs Notarized Copy
| Type | Who Certifies | Level of Authentication | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| True Copy (Lawyer Certified) | Licensed UAE Lawyer | Lawyer stamp + signature | Banks, government departments, embassies |
| Notarized Copy | Notary Public | Notarial seal + signature | Courts, MOFA chain, DED filings |
| Self-Certified Copy | The applicant themselves | No official authentication | Internal records only (not legally accepted) |
| Authority-Certified Copy | Issuing government authority | Official government stamp | Specific documents (e.g., DED-certified license copy) |
How Long Does It Take and What Does It Cost?
True copy attestation is one of the fastest document services MRP provides:
- Standard service: Same day (within 2–3 hours for straightforward documents)
- Urgent service: Within 1 hour (subject to appointment availability)
- Bulk service: 1–2 business days for batches of 20+ documents
Costs are per document set (i.e., per original document being certified). MRP provides a transparent price list — there are no hidden charges. Businesses requiring regular true copy certification can benefit from bulk or retainer pricing arrangements.
Tip: Bring Multiple Copies
If you know you will need certified true copies for multiple institutions (e.g., a bank and an embassy), bring extra photocopies of your documents. Each copy is certified separately, and the additional cost per copy is minimal compared to the time saved by not revisiting.