SIGNATURE WITNESSING, UAE
Signature Witnessing in Dubai
Signature witnessing confirms who signed a document, that they signed it willingly and when it happened, without the fuller check a full notarisation involves. Our in-house notary public witnesses it at our Business Bay office, online or at your home, from AED 900.
In-house notary public at our Business Bay office. Online and home visit notary services across the UAE.
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In-house notary public
We witness your signature at our Business Bay office
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From AED 900
Our published fee for witnessing, in English
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A narrower service
Confirms who signed, not the content of the document
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In person, online or at home
Sign where it suits you
What signature witnessing is
Signature witnessing confirms that a named person signed a document, in front of our notary public, of their own will, on a stated date. It is narrower than full notarisation or attestation, which can also certify the content or authenticity of the document itself. Witnessing is used where a receiving party only needs proof of who signed and when, such as a personal letter, a simple agreement between two parties, or a form that asks for a witnessed signature rather than a notarised one. If the receiving party needs more than that, such as confirmation the document itself is genuine, a fuller notarisation or attestation is the better fit, and we tell you which one applies before you book.
When signature witnessing is used
A personal letter or statement
Confirming who signed and when, without certifying its content.
A simple agreement between parties
Where both sides want proof of signature, not full notarisation.
A form asking for a witness
A document that specifically requests a witnessed, rather than notarised, signature.
One signature in a larger file
Witnessing one page as part of a wider set of documents.
What we check before witnessing
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Identity
Passport or Emirates ID for the person signing.
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Willingness
That the signature is being given freely, in front of our notary public.
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The document itself
That it is clear what is being signed, even though its content is not certified.
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The language
Whether the document is in English or needs a different fee for another language.
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The date
Recorded at the time of witnessing.
Witnessing is not the same as notarisation
A witnessed signature and a notarised document answer different questions. Witnessing confirms who signed and when. Notarisation can go further, certifying the document itself or the authority behind it. Before you book, tell us what the receiving party actually asked for, so you are not paying for more than you need, or turning up with less than what is required.
How your signature is witnessed
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Contact us
Send a WhatsApp message or book online.
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Bring the document
In its final form, ready to sign.
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We confirm identity
Passport or Emirates ID, checked against the signatory.
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Sign and witness
In person at our Business Bay office, online or at your home.
What it costs
| Document | Fee | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Witnessing of signature (English) | AED 900 | Passport or Emirates ID, the document in its final form |
Fees may vary with the document; we confirm the figure before you sign.
What to bring
Passport or Emirates ID, and the document in English, ready to sign in front of our notary public.
Witnessing
Signature witnessing
Confirms who signed and when, for a document that only needs that.
Notarisation
Full notarisation
Can also certify the document’s content, for a document that needs more.
Who asks for a witnessed signature
Some receiving parties, such as a counterpart to a simple agreement or a form from an employer or institution, specifically ask for a witnessed signature rather than a notarised document. We check what is actually being asked for, since the two words are sometimes used loosely even though the service behind them differs.
- Confirm what the receiving party asked for, in their own words
- Check whether the document is in English or needs another arrangement
- Bring the document in its final form, not a draft
Who signs, and what we check
The person whose signature is being witnessed
Passport or Emirates ID
The document, in its final form
The language it is written in
The date of signing
Where signature witnessing is not enough
Witnessing does not certify that the document’s content is true, correct or legally sound, only that the named person signed it. If a bank, court or authority has asked for the document itself to be notarised or attested, a witnessed signature on its own will usually be sent back. We tell you upfront if what you are asking for is witnessing, when the receiving party actually needs more.
Common problems, and the fix
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The receiving party actually wanted full notarisation
Fix: check their exact wording before booking, not after.
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The document is not in its final form
Fix: finish the document before attending, since changes cannot be made after signing.
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The document is not in English
Fix: tell us the language in advance, since the fee differs.
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The signatory has no valid ID on hand
Fix: bring a passport or Emirates ID that is current.
After witnessing
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Keep the witnessed original
For your own file or to send to the receiving party.
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Present it where it was requested
To the counterpart, employer or institution that asked for it.
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Ask if a copy is needed
We can provide one where requested.
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Come back for a fuller service, if needed
If the receiving party later asks for notarisation or attestation instead.
When you need more than a witness
If the receiving party asks for the document itself to be certified, not just the signature, a full notarisation or attestation is the right service instead.
Bring the document, ready to sign. We witness it from AED 900.
Documents we notarise are presented to authorities, free zones and banks across the UAE.
Related documents
Contract notarisation
For a document that needs its content certified, not just the signature.
Marriage contract attestation
A different kind of attestation, for an existing personal document.
Three ways to get it notarised
Questions about signature witnessing
What is the difference between witnessing and notarisation?
Witnessing confirms who signed and when. Notarisation can also certify the document’s content. We tell you which one a receiving party actually needs.
How much does signature witnessing cost?
AED 900 for a document in English. Tell us if it is in another language, since the fee differs.
Do I need to bring a witness of my own?
No. Our in-house notary public acts as the witness.
Can I have my signature witnessed online?
Yes, through our online notary public service, subject to what the receiving party accepts.
Will a witnessed signature be accepted by every authority?
It depends on what the authority asked for. If they asked for notarisation or attestation, witnessing alone may not be enough.
Can you witness more than one signature in the same visit?
Yes, tell us how many documents you are bringing when you book.
We have it.
Your reference is . Quote it if you call.
We reply by email within 30 minutes.
What the reply will contain: whether the document is fit for what you need it to do, what would have to change, who would need to attend, and what it would cost.
What has not happened: nothing is booked, nothing is filed, no retainer exists, and this is not legal advice.
Where to find us
Address
Empire Heights Tower B, Fountain Street, Business Bay, Dubai
Hours
Office and calls: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Dubai time. WhatsApp: 24/7, reply within 10 minutes. Email: 24/7, reply within 30 minutes.
Phone
+971 56 282 2994
info@dubainotaryservices.ae
Get your signature witnessed
Bring the document in its final form and we confirm the fee before you sign.