Key takeaways
- The Commercial Companies Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021) doesn't mention a company stamp or seal.
- Free zones can set their own rules, and DMCC says a company stamp is a mandatory requirement for its companies.
- The FTA asks for stamped documents in VAT registration, tax group registration, VAT deregistration and, for companies, foreign tax residency forms.
- Under Federal Decree-Law No. 46 of 2021, government authorities must accept electronic signatures and seals in their services, in line with TDRA standards.
- Your stamp should carry the company name exactly as it appears on your license.
Does UAE law require a company stamp?
The Commercial Companies Law, Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021, never uses the words stamp or seal. Article 13 instead requires every contract, document, letter and application form your company issues to show its name, legal form, registration number and address. A stamp doesn't replace those details, so put them on your letterhead.
Free zones differ. Under Article 5, the law doesn't apply to free zone companies where the zone's own rules say so. DMCC, for example, states that a company stamp is a mandatory requirement for its companies.
The Evidence Law (Federal Decree-Law No. 35 of 2022) treats a signature stamp like a signature: under Article 28, a private document is deemed issued by the person whose handwriting, signature, signature stamp or fingerprint it bears, unless they expressly deny it.
Where a company stamp is still asked for
These are the stamp requirements we found on official pages:
| Authority | Service | What must be stamped |
|---|---|---|
| FTA | VAT registration | Turnover declaration, stamped and signed by the authorised signatory; expected-revenue documents such as contracts, stamped and signed by both parties |
| FTA | Tax group registration | Turnover declaration, group structure document and a no objection letter from each member, signed and stamped |
| FTA | VAT deregistration | Several letters and declarations; a sole establishment's letter needs no stamp if the registration is for a natural person |
| FTA | Tax residency certificate | Another country's form you ask the FTA to stamp: a juridical person adds its stamp to the authorised signatory's signature |
| GDRFA Dubai | Tourist establishment quotas | Application and documents, stamped and signed |
| DMCC | Licensed companies | A company stamp is a mandatory requirement |
Other services we checked rely on authorised signatories instead: ICP's establishment card asks for a signature authorisation letter, and MOHRE records specimen signatures of owners and signatories. Meydan Free Zone notes stamps are widely expected in UAE business processes, particularly banking.
For the full FTA files, see how to deregister for VAT, our VAT registration service and the tax residency certificate guide.
Digital signatures, UAE PASS and e-seals
Electronic tools can already do a stamp's job. Under Article 8 of Federal Decree-Law No. 46 of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services, where a law requires a signature or seal, an electronic method can meet it if it identifies the person, shows their intent and is reliable for the purpose. Government authorities must accept electronic signatures, seals and documents in their services, in line with TDRA standards (Article 28).
- UAE PASS. You can upload and sign documents digitally in the app or on the website, and verify documents others have signed.
- Company MOA. The Commercial Companies Law allows MOA authentication by electronic signature (Article 14).
- MOFA invoice attestation. eDAS 2.0 attests invoices digitally; a physical MOFA seal is optional, at no extra fee.
- FTA certificates. The FTA's sample tax residency certificate is "electronically certified without stamp and signature".
Two limits apply. The same law says nobody has to use or accept electronic dealing (Article 28), so a bank or counterparty can still ask for a physical stamp. And where a form asks for a stamp, follow the form.
What to put on a company stamp
No federal rule sets the design, so follow your licensing authority. DMCC's guideline is the most detailed official guidance we found:
| Element | DMCC guidance |
|---|---|
| Company name | In English, exactly as on the DMCC license; DMCC-made stamps add Arabic |
| Location | "Dubai, U.A.E." on DMCC-made stamps; a minimum for branches, with a "DMCC BRANCH" suffix |
| Optional details | Address, contact number or P.O. Box |
| Logo | Optional, uploaded as a PDF |
| Shape | Circle, oval, rectangle or square; names over 40 characters are rectangular only |
Meydan Free Zone's stamps show the name in English and Arabic plus the registered address. Copy the name character for character from your license: DMCC won't exchange a stamp unless the name has a spelling error or it arrives damaged.
How to get a company stamp made
- 1. Check your license. Note the exact company name in English and Arabic and the license number.
- 2. Use your free zone's channel. DMCC companies order through the DMCC portal. Meydan Free Zone charges AED 200 per stamp through Meydan+ mCore at the time of writing, typically delivered one business day after payment. UAQ Free Trade Zone quotes on request.
- 3. Mainland companies use a stamp maker. Hand over a trade license copy so the name is copied exactly.
- 4. Check the proof. Read the spelling, Arabic text and numbers before production.
- 5. Keep it secure. Lock it away, log who uses it and replace it when your name or legal form changes.
Misuse is your risk. DMCC says it isn't liable for third-party misuse of a stamp, and under Article 39 of the Evidence Law, if you accept a stamp is yours but deny placing it on a document, you must raise a forgery claim and prove it.
Global Sky PRO doesn't make stamps. We set up companies, draft letters and declarations in the format each office asks for, and check names and numbers against your license before you sign and stamp. Start with business setup in Dubai or our letter drafting service.
Sources
- UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 32 of 2021 on Commercial Companies
- UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 46 of 2021 on Electronic Transactions and Trust Services
- UAE Legislation: Federal Decree-Law No. 35 of 2022 on Evidence in Civil and Commercial Transactions
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT registration
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT deregistration
- DMCC: company stamp guideline
- Meydan Free Zone: company stamp
Official sources checked on 10 November 2026. This guide explains published rules in plain English and is not legal or tax advice. Rules change; we check the current position for your case before you act.