Lost Affidavit Template for the United Arab Emirates

When you lose important documents, certificates, or valuable items in the United Arab Emirates, a Lost Affidavit serves as your formal legal declaration to authorities. This sworn statement creates an official record of the loss and provides crucial protection against potential misuse while you obtain replacement documents or items.

When do you need this document?

You need a Lost Affidavit whenever you lose documents that require official replacement procedures in the UAE. This includes losing your passport, Emirates ID, educational certificates, employment contracts, property deeds, bank documents, or insurance policies. Government authorities, embassies, financial institutions, and educational bodies typically require this affidavit before issuing replacements. The document is also essential if you lose valuable items that were insured, as insurance companies need formal proof of loss before processing claims. Additionally, if you suspect your lost documents might be misused for fraudulent purposes, filing a Lost Affidavit creates legal protection and establishes a timeline of when the loss occurred.

Key legal considerations

Your Lost Affidavit must contain accurate and truthful information, as providing false statements constitutes a criminal offense under UAE Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 (Penal Code). Include comprehensive details about the lost item, such as reference numbers, issuing authority, dates of issuance, and physical descriptions. Clearly explain the circumstances of loss, including when, where, and how the loss occurred. The affidavit must be signed in the presence of a licensed notary public and include your complete identification information, including Emirates ID number and passport details. Consider filing a police report alongside your affidavit, especially for valuable items or if you suspect theft. Keep multiple notarized copies of your affidavit, as different authorities may require original documents during the replacement process.

Legal requirements in United Arab Emirates

UAE Federal Law No. 4 of 2013 (Notary Public Law) mandates that Lost Affidavits be notarized by a licensed UAE notary public to be legally valid. The document must comply with UAE Federal Law No. 11 of 1992 (Civil Procedure Law) regarding legal declarations and follow evidence requirements under UAE Federal Law No. 10 of 1992 (Evidence Law). Your affidavit must be written in Arabic or officially translated if prepared in another language. Some authorities may require additional attestation by the UAE Ministry of Justice or relevant government departments. If the lost document was issued by a foreign authority, you may need to present your affidavit to the relevant embassy or consulate. Financial institutions may have specific formatting requirements under UAE banking regulations, so verify requirements with the institution where you're submitting the affidavit.