Guide · updated 16.10.2026 · 7 min read · Lucent Legal team

Document forgery in the UAE: what counts as forgery and what it carries

Key points

  • Forgery means changing a document's genuineness in a way that causes harm, so it can be used as genuine (Art. 251). The law lists seven methods, from editing figures to obtaining a signature by deceit.
  • Forging an official document carries up to 10 years in prison. A private document carries 1 month to 3 years (Arts. 252 and 70).
  • Knowingly using a forged document carries the same penalty as forging it. So does using someone else's genuine document in their name (Art. 258).
  • The forgery articles aren't on the list where criminal settlement is allowed (Art. 349 of Law No. 38/2022). The victim's forgiveness doesn't end the case.
  • A foreigner sentenced to prison for forging an official document must be deported (Art. 126).

An edited salary certificate for a bank, a doctored statement, someone else's signature on a contract: in the UAE each of these is document forgery under Articles 251 to 258 of Federal Decree-Law No. 31 of 2021. The penalty depends on whether the document is official or private. Anyone who knowingly uses a forged document faces the same penalty as the forger.

What the law treats as forgery

Article 251 lists seven methods:

  1. changing an existing document by adding, deleting or altering text, figures, marks or photos;
  2. putting a forged signature or seal on it, or altering a genuine signature, seal or fingerprint;
  3. obtaining a signature, seal or fingerprint by surprise or deceit, without the person knowing the content or consenting;
  4. fabricating a document and attributing it to someone else;
  5. filling in a blank signed paper without the signer's consent;
  6. impersonating someone in a document meant to verify identity;
  7. altering the truth in a document made to record that truth.

Harm is a required element. An alteration that harms no one and isn't meant to be used as genuine doesn't meet the definition.

Official or private document

An official document is one that a public servant, or a person entrusted with a public service, has the authority to prepare, take part in preparing, or make official (Art. 254). Every other document is private.

Act Article Penalty
Forging an official document 252 Up to 10 years (felony)
Forging a private document 252 1 month to 3 years (misdemeanour)
Forging and using a copy of an official document 253 Up to 5 years
The same with a copy of a private document 253 1 month to 3 years
A doctor's false certificate on pregnancy, illness, death and similar 255 Up to 5 years
False personal information in an investigation or to a public servant 257 Up to 2 years or a fine of up to AED 50,000
Knowingly using a forged document 258 Same as the forgery
Using someone else's genuine document in their name 258 Same as the forgery

"Imprisonment" in Articles 252, 253 and 255 means at least 3 years by default (Art. 69). Misdemeanour "incarceration" runs from 1 month to 3 years (Art. 70).

Counterfeiting money, securities, seals and stamps falls under separate articles (239 to 250). Where a special law covers a type of forgery, that law applies (Art. 259).

Typical situations

The law keeps no statistics by document type, but Articles 251 to 258 cover cases such as:

  • an edited salary certificate, employment contract or statement submitted to a bank for a loan or account;
  • a fake diploma or certificate submitted for attestation or a visa;
  • someone else's signature on a contract, receipt or power of attorney: see fake powers of attorney;
  • a document where someone poses as another person, for example using another person's ID.

Intent matters: the prosecution has to show you knew the document was forged when you used it. Article 258 refers to using a document "knowingly".

Why settlement doesn't close the case

Article 349 of Law No. 38/2022 lists the Penal Code articles where criminal settlement is allowed. Articles 251 to 258 aren't on it. The settlement procedure in Articles 348 to 357 doesn't apply to forgery, so a statement from the bank or employer that it has no claims doesn't end the case by itself.

A victim's waiver can still matter at sentencing. The court decides how much, so discuss it with your lawyer. For misdemeanours, the court may suspend a sentence of up to 1 year if it believes the person won't reoffend (Art. 84).

If you're the one accused

  1. Don't explain where the document came from without a lawyer and an interpreter. An admission in the record is hard to undo.
  2. Gather everything that shows where you got it: who supplied it, messages, payments to an intermediary.
  3. If an intermediary (a visa agent, a "helper" with the bank) prepared the document, keep their contacts and messages. They bear on the question of intent.
  4. Check for a travel ban: the prosecutor can impose one while the case runs (Art. 99 of Law No. 38/2022).

If someone forged your document or signature

  1. File a police report: see filing a police report in Dubai.
  2. Ask your lawyer to request a handwriting examination if a signature is in dispute.
  3. If a deal already went through on a forged power of attorney or contract, challenge it in the civil courts as well.

When you need a lawyer

  • The document involves a bank, a visa or a government body.
  • You face a charge of forging an official document (up to 10 years).
  • You used a document an intermediary made and didn't know it was forged.
  • Someone forged your signature and money or property has already moved.

Lucent Legal is a management consultancy (DET licence No. 1192929). We review the documents, piece together what happened and prepare your position. At the prosecution and in court, a partner advocate licensed in the UAE represents you. No one can promise the outcome, including us. Other charges are in UAE criminal law.

FAQ

What happens if I submit a fake salary certificate to a UAE bank?

An employer's certificate is usually a private document: forging or knowingly using it carries 1 month to 3 years (Arts. 252 and 258). If a government body issued it, the penalty goes up to 10 years.

Is someone who only used a forged document liable?

Yes, if they knew it was forged. Article 258 punishes knowing use the same way as the forgery itself.

Can a forgery case be settled?

No. Articles 251 to 258 aren't on the Article 349 list in Law No. 38/2022, so the victim's forgiveness doesn't end the case.

Will I be deported for forgery?

For forging an official document (a felony) with a prison sentence, deportation is mandatory. For a private document (a misdemeanour), the court decides (Art. 126).

What counts as an official document in the UAE?

A document that a public servant, or a person entrusted with a public service, prepares, takes part in preparing or makes official (Art. 254).

Sources

Topic: UAE Criminal Law 2026

Get a lawyer's help: Criminal lawyer

This material is for information only and is not legal advice. UAE law changes — a lawyer will assess how it applies to your situation.