Witness Affidavit Template for the United Arab Emirates

A Witness Affidavit is a sworn written statement that allows you to provide formal testimony for legal proceedings in the United Arab Emirates. This document enables witnesses to present their knowledge of facts, events, or circumstances under oath, creating a legally binding record that can be used as evidence in court. Under UAE law, witness affidavits must meet strict formatting and authentication requirements to be admissible in legal proceedings.

When do you need this document?

You will need a Witness Affidavit when providing testimony for civil litigation, commercial disputes, family court proceedings, or criminal cases in the UAE. This document is essential when you cannot appear in person at court hearings, when preserving testimony for future proceedings, or when supporting legal applications such as visa applications, property transactions, or business registrations. Courts also require witness affidavits for establishing facts in divorce proceedings, inheritance disputes, and contract disagreements. Additionally, you may need this document when providing character references for legal matters or supporting evidence for insurance claims and employment disputes.

Key legal considerations

Your witness affidavit must contain accurate and truthful information, as providing false testimony constitutes perjury under UAE Federal Law No. 3 of 1987 (Penal Code), which carries severe penalties including imprisonment and fines. The document must clearly identify your relationship to the case and your personal knowledge of the facts being testified to, avoiding hearsay or speculation. You must have legal capacity to make sworn statements, meaning you are of sound mind and at least 18 years old. The affidavit should include specific dates, times, locations, and detailed descriptions of events witnessed. Be aware that once signed and notarized, you are legally bound by the statements made and may be required to appear for cross-examination in court proceedings.

Legal requirements in United Arab Emirates

Under UAE Federal Law No. 10 of 1992 and Federal Law No. 11 of 1992, your witness affidavit must be prepared in Arabic or accompanied by a certified Arabic translation from an approved translation office. The document requires notarization by a UAE Notary Public or authorized Commissioner for Oaths, with proper authentication stamps and seals. You must provide your Emirates ID number, full legal name, nationality, and complete contact information. The affidavit must include a declaration of your legal capacity and competency to testify, along with a clear statement of the document's purpose. All pages must be numbered and initialed, with your signature appearing on each page and a final sworn declaration before the notarizing authority. The completed affidavit must be submitted to the relevant court or receiving authority within specified timeframes as determined by the specific legal proceeding.