Company documents
Memorandum of Association in Dubai: MOA Drafting and Notarisation
A memorandum of association Dubai companies use is the written agreement between the owners. It says who they are, what the company does, how much each puts in and how decisions are made. We draft it, check it and take it to our in-house notary public for signing.
We have in-house, in person notary public services, online notary public services and home visit private notary services. Our legal translator prepares the Arabic text.
In short
- Price: from AED 600, plus government fees at cost.
- Who signs: every owner who is a party to the MOA, or an agent holding a notarised power of attorney.
- What to bring: original passport and Emirates ID of each partner, the planned company name and activities, and the capital split.
- Where: in person, at your office or online.
- Next step: the licensing authority registers the company. The notary does not do that.
Three ways to get it notarised
In person with our in-house notary public
The notary public checks each signer's original ID, reads the document, watches the partners sign and applies the seal.
Home or office visit
We come to your home, hospital or office. Price on request, plus the Dubai private notary government fee of AED 1,000 per trip outside the place of work.
Online
A partner who is abroad can sign online. UAE law lets a notary use IT tools in place of personal appearance (Federal Decree-Law No. 20 of 2022, Article 18). Our e-notary guide lists the official channels.
What goes into a memorandum of association
In the UAE the company's founding document is the MOA. A clear one covers:
- The company: its name and its legal form.
- The partners: full names as in passports, nationalities and Emirates ID details.
- The activities: what the company may do, as the licensing authority will list them.
- The capital: the total, and each partner's share.
- Management: who manages, who may sign for the company and whether signatures must be joint.
- Profit and decisions: how profit is shared and how partners decide.
- Changes and exit: what happens if a partner leaves or new capital comes in.
The licensing authority may ask for its own wording or form. Ask it before you sign, and tell us. We will write to match.
Checklist
Documents to bring
- Original passport and Emirates ID of every partner.
- The planned company name and activity.
- The capital and each partner's share.
- For a partner that is a company: its trade licence, MOA and the resolution naming who signs.
- A notarised power of attorney, if an agent signs for a partner.
Step by step
The steps
1
Send us the partner details and the points above by WhatsApp or email.
2
We draft the MOA and check it with you. We also order the Arabic text, which a Dubai notary expects (Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013, Article 27).
3
The partners sign in front of the notary, in person, at your location or online. The notary checks each signer's ID, reads the document, watches the signing and applies the seal.
4
You take the notarised MOA to the licensing authority.
Mistakes to avoid
Mistakes that get it refused
- A partner's name is spelled differently from the passport.
- The shares do not add up to the stated capital.
- A partner signs for a company with no written authority.
- The activities do not match what the licensing authority will list.
Prices
Price
| Item | Our service price | Government fee, paid on top at cost |
|---|---|---|
| MOA (memorandum of association) | From AED 600 | By value: under AED 50,000 AED 200 per party; AED 50,000 to 100,000 AED 300 per signature; above AED 100,000 0.5 percent of value, max AED 15,000 execution or AED 30,000 notarisation (federal items 1 to 7) |
| Dubai private notary route | From AED 600 (same service) | AED 100 per party registration plus AED 100 per signature |
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. See the notary fees page.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Does the notary register my company?
No. The notary public notarises the document. The licensing authority registers the company. A notary cannot act on matters reserved to another authority (Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013, Article 21).
Can one partner sign for another?
Yes, with a notarised power of attorney that names the act. See company power of attorney and special power of attorney.
Can partners abroad sign online?
Yes. A notary can use IT tools in place of personal appearance. We arrange the online sitting.
Do you also change an MOA later?
Yes. See MOA amendment in Dubai and MOA annulment.
Is the MOA the same as the articles of association?
Some authorities use different names for the founding papers. Tell us which document yours asks for and we will draft that one.
More in company documents
Powers of attorney, the MOA, resolutions and contracts for a company.
Contact
Book your notary appointment
- Phone and WhatsApp: +971 52 947 5935
- Email: support@privatenotarydubai.com
- Hours: Office open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (Dubai time). WhatsApp and online requests answered 24/7.
Other company papers are on the private notary services page.
- Phone+971 52 947 5935
- WhatsApp+971 52 947 5935
- Emailsupport@privatenotarydubai.com
- AddressJebel Ali, Main Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai, UAE