If you are planning to set up or start a Company incorporation in the United Arab Emirates, attesting the Memorandum of Association (MOA) and and its amendments is a crucial legal step to ensure the legitimacy and recognition of your business entity by official authorities. Whether you’re incorporating in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or any other emirate, MOA certification by a notary public or the Department of Economic Development (DED) is a legal requirement to obtain your commercial license or start operating.
In this article, we provide a comprehensive guide on how to attest an MOA in the UAE and the steps to notarize MOA amendments when making changes to company incorporation, partners, or capital, in accordance with Federal Companies Law No. 32 of 2021.
What is a Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Why is Attestation Important?
The Memorandum of Association is a legal document that outlines a company’s structure, shareholders, share percentages, and management procedures. Certification (notarization) ensures that this contract is legally binding and officially recognized.
According to Article 10 of the UAE Federal Companies Law No. 32 of 2021:
“The company’s memorandum and its appendices must be attested by a notary public or via an approved electronic system.”
Without proper certification, your company will not gain legal status or commercial legitimacy.
Authorities That attest Memorandum of Association in the UAE
- Department of Economic Development (DED) in each emirate.
- Notary Public.
- Licensed Legal Firms (e.g., AlYA Salem Al Nuaimi Law firm in Abu Dhabi).
- Ministry of Economy.
- UAE Embassies & Consulates (for foreign companies).
- Chambers of Commerce in Dubai / Abu Dhabi (for agency agreements).
Steps to ATTEST a Company’s Memorandum of Association in the UAE
- Draft the MOA through legal experts (e.g., at Alia Salem Al Nuaimi Law Firm).
- Get the MOA signed by all partners.
- Prepare supporting documents (e.g., trade name reservation, Emirates ID or passport copies).
- Pay the required attestation fees.
- Attend a virtual or physical appointment with a certified notary or legal attester.
- Receive the attested MOA to proceed with company incorporation and license issuance.
When Do You Need to Attest an Memorandum of Association Amendment?
- Change in share distribution.
- Addition or removal of a partner.
- Appointing or removing the manager.
- Change in capital (increase or decrease).
- Modification of trade name.
- Changing the company activity (add/remove business lines).
- Changing the legal form (e.g., from sole proprietorship to LLC).
All amendments must be documented in an Appendix to the MOA and go through the same attestation process.
Cost of Attesting a Company MOA in the UAE
Costs vary by emirate and by service provider. On average:
- MOA attestation fees typically start at AED 1,500.
- The average cost ranges from AED 1,500 to 5,000, depending on the emirate and document type.
- Additional fees may apply for legal translation or urgent service.
At Alya Salem Al Nuaimi Law Firm, we offer:
- Fast-track attestation services.
- After-hours and weekend appointments.
- Remote MOA attestation options.
Required Documents for Attesting MOA and Its Amendments
- Signed copy of the MOA.
- Previous MOA Appendices (if any).
- Emirates ID or Passport of all parties.
- Trade license (if available).
- Trade name reservation receipt.
- Newspaper announcement (if applicable).
- Legal translation (if required).
👉 If any party does not speak Arabic, an official legal translation of the MOA or appendix is required, along with a copy of the translator’s ID.
In Abu Dhabi, the DED requires that legal translations be issued by a licensed office within Abu Dhabi, with a valid DED trade license.
At Alya Salem Al Nuaimi Law Firm, we offer
- MOA and appendix certification
- Board resolution and shareholder meeting notarization
- Precise legal drafting in accordance with UAE law
- Immediate and remote certification services
- Specialized corporate legal consultations
Contact us today to book your appointment with our certification & notary team.
FAQs – Memorandum of Association and Amendment Certification in the UAE
What does it mean to attest a company’s MOA?
It means getting the Memorandum of Association legally approved by a licensed entity such as the Notary Public, DED, or an authorized legal firm like Alya Salem Al Nuaimi Law Firm.
Is MOA attestation required by law?
Yes. As per Article 10 of the UAE Companies Law, the MOA and its amendments must be attested to give the company legal standing.
What happens if the MOA is not attested?
- The company is not legally recognized.
- It cannot operate or be registered.
- It cannot be enforced in court.
- It has no legal identity.
Do all changes to a company require a certified amendment?
Yes. Every change, such as partner updates or capital changes, must be documented in a certified appendix.
When should MOA amendments be attested?
Any structural change (like change of partners, capital, or manager) must be documented and attested in an appendix.
Can certification happen electronically?
Yes. UAE law allows online certification through approved platforms. Offices like Alia Salem Al Nuaimi Law Office in Abu Dhabi are licensed to perform both in-person and remote notarization.
Do I need an attested MOA to get a trade license?
Yes. The company cannot be registered or licensed without a properly attested MOA and amendments.
Can I attest the MOA remotely?
Yes, our office provides remote MOA and appendix attestation 24/7 with competitive rates and fast service.
Certifying your company’s MOA and amendments is a vital legal step in the business formation process in the UAE. We strongly recommend working with a licensed law firm to ensure full legal compliance.
For anyone who wants to learn more about legal procedures, case follow-ups, or official regulations related to the Memorandum of Association, the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department provides a comprehensive online portal. Through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department website, clients can check case statuses, access legal resources, and better understand court requirements. This platform helps clients stay informed and reduces uncertainty when dealing with legal costs and services.
