How to sign government documents online through UAE Pass

Dubai: Need to sign a contract but want to avoid the hassle of printing, signing, and scanning? With the UAE Pass app, you can sign documents securely and officially using your phone.

The UAE Pass is the national digital identity for citizens, residents, and visitors in the UAE. It provides access to thousands of government and private sector services and allows you to sign documents digitally. You can also use it to request digital versions of official government documents such as your Emirates ID, driving licence, and labour card.

If you wish to use the app to sign official documents, you’ll first need to set up your digital signature. Here’s how to do it.

How to create a digital signature

First, ensure you have downloaded the UAE Pass app, available for both Apple and Android devices and that you have an active account.

Step 1: Create a ‘Signing Password’

1. Open the app and tap on the ‘Profile’ section in the menu tab at the bottom of your mobile screen.

2. Select ‘Reset Signing Password’. You’ll then be able to create your signing credentials through either face verification or by visiting a UAE Pass kiosk. Choose face verification.

3. Tap ‘Continue’ to give the app permission to scan your face for biometric verification.

4. You’ll be prompted to create a password for your signature keys. Enter and confirm your password, then tap ‘Send’.

5. Once your password is successfully created, a confirmation message will appear. Tap ‘Done’ to finish.

Step 2: Go to the app’s homepage and tap ‘Sign Documents’. Upload the document you wish to sign – it must be a PDF file stored on your phone.

1. Tap anywhere on the document to place your signature.

2. A box will appear on the PDF. Move it to your preferred position for the signature, then tap the green tick to confirm placement.

3. Tick the box stating ‘I have read the document’, then tap ‘Sign’.

4. Enter the signing password you created in Step 1 and tap ‘Send’.

5. After a few seconds, you’ll receive a notification confirming that your document has been signed and verified through UAE Pass.

Step 3: Share the signed document

To view or share your signed document:

• Go to the ‘Documents’ section and tap on ‘Uploaded’.

• Locate your signed document and use the share option at the bottom of the screen to download or send it.

It’s important to note that your digital signature will expire after three years.

How to verify a digital signature

If you receive a document that has been digitally signed through UAE Pass, you can easily verify its authenticity using the app. Simply:

• Tap on the ‘Verify Signature’ option on the homepage.

• The app will confirm whether the document has been verified by UAE Pass.

This verification feature allows users to submit digitally signed documents confidently to government departments across the UAE.

According to UAE Pass, you can also verify a digitally signed document using Adobe Acrobat Reader. The verification function within UAE Pass works the same way as Adobe Acrobat’s validation tool. Therefore, if a document has been digitally signed and verified via UAE Pass, Adobe Acrobat will also recognise the signature as valid.

The article was published on October 20, 2023 and has been updated since.