Search and document delivery at a glance
- Search online
- ADGM offers a public Company Search. Document requests use the relevant registry’s separate process. [3] [4] [5]
- Search language
- The current ADGM and DIFC register interfaces display their search fields in English. [12] [13]
- Digital documents
- ADGM issues Good Standing and Incumbency certificates and certified constitutional documents electronically. Ordering through “Corporate Services” requires an account with authority over the entity. Other uploaded company documents are emailed as certified copies after review. For a DIFC extract, confirm the delivery route with the Registrar. [15] [11]
- Document language
- Not specified
- Paper and collection
- Not specified [14]
- International delivery
- Not specified
- Fees at a glance
- ADGM company search is free. ADGM extract USD 100; DIFC extract USD 100 plus AED 20 additional fees.
- Access
- Public ADGM search; applications and document orders follow the relevant licensing or registration authority’s rules.
Choose the right register
The National Economic Registry, known as Growth, consolidates commercial-licence data across the seven emirates. Use it to identify the responsible authority. Corporate files and official documents belong to the relevant registrar’s services. [1] [3] [10]
For a register extract, constitutional document or status certificate, use the identified registration or licensing authority. ADGM and DIFC have separate registers and document services. National licence-data integration connects federal and local bodies. [2] [3] [10] [11]
Names and abbreviations explained
- Growth / NERNational Economic Registry
- The national service consolidating business and commercial-licence data. [1]
- MainlandAreas outside the relevant free zones
- Distinguish local licensing authorities from separate free-zone registries. ADGM and DIFC are examples of these separate registry jurisdictions. [3] [10]
- ADGMAbu Dhabi Global Market
- A financial free zone with its own Registration Authority and financial regulator. Its register is not the register of every company in Abu Dhabi emirate. [3] [4]
- DIFCDubai International Financial Centre
- Dubai financial free zone with its own Registrar of Companies and corporate-document services. [6] [10] [11]
- RARegistration Authority
- ADGM’s company registration and licensing authority, distinct from its financial regulator. [3]
- FSRAFinancial Services Regulatory Authority
- ADGM’s financial regulator. Its public register helps check financial-services permissions. [3]
- RSCRestricted Scope Company
- An ADGM company form with limited public disclosure. Its public profile may intentionally contain less information. [9]
Search step by step
Find the responsible authority
Obtain licence particulars
Prepare the legal name, licence or registration number and issuing authority. ADGM and DIFC operate separate registers within those emirates. [3] [10]
Use Growth as the national entry point
Open Growth and associate licence information with the responsible authority. A free-zone licence leads to that zone’s registry. ADGM and DIFC results belong to different jurisdictions. [1] [3] [6] [10] [11]
For ADGM, choose Company Search
Open ADGM Public Registers and follow the company registry route. The Registration Authority describes Company Search for registered and deregistered entities, including companies and registered branches. This search is free. [3] [4]
Choose the required evidence
Distinguish basic profile information, a register extract, a certified document copy and a status certificate. ADGM and DIFC list separate services and fees. A free search result is not a certified copy. [5] [6] [10] [11]
Check financial businesses and restricted profiles
Separate incorporation from financial permission
ADGM provides a company registry and a separate FSRA register. Check the entity in the former and the claimed financial service in the latter. [3]
Check disclosure limits for the entity type
Restricted Scope Companies have limited public disclosure. ADGM expressly identifies this feature. Request additional evidence from the entity or through the permitted registry route. [9]
Documents and fees
| Document / information | Contents and purpose | Fee | How to get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADGM Company Search [3] [4] | Public identification of registered and deregistered ADGM entities, including branches. | Free. | Via ADGM Public Registers and Company Search. |
| ADGM Register Extract [5] [16] | Official extract of register information. | USD 100; the stated paper-form surcharge is 15%. | Authorised users receive a separately ordered ADGM Business Extract for USD 100 through the selected delivery method and in the company’s portal profile. |
| ADGM Certified Copy / Search Certificate [5] [15] | Certified document copy, Search Certificate or Information Request. | USD 100 each; paper copies may attract the 15% surcharge. | Authorised users order certified constitutional documents electronically under “Corporate Services”. For other company documents, upload the document, await review and receive the certified copy by email. Search Certificates follow their separate application route. |
| DIFC Public Register Extract / Document Extract [6] [10] [11] | Extract from the DIFC Public Register or a registered document. | USD 100 each plus AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation Fees. | Order through the company’s Client Portal. The account administrator must grant access to additional users. Contact the registry if you do not have access to that account. |
| DIFC Certificate of Good Standing / Incumbency [6] [10] [11] | Separate status or officer certificate. | USD 100 each plus AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation Fees. | Handbook route: Client Portal through an existing entity account. Additional users require access granted by its Super User. Contact the Registrar for a request without that account. |
Federal, emirate and free-zone services
The national licence database spans the seven emirates. Corporate documents depend on the responsible registry. Company registration and financial-services supervision can belong to different bodies; ADGM provides separate registers for those functions. [1] [3]
ADGM and DIFC operate their own registers. Do not search solely there for a company licensed outside those financial free zones. [1] [3] [6] [10] [11]
Specific ADGM and DIFC document fees
ADGM’s fee overview charges USD 100 each for a register extract, a certified document copy and a Search Certificate or Information Request. It specifies a 15% surcharge for document copies or extracts in paper form. These are ADGM service charges. [5]
The DIFC handbook dated 9 September 2026 lists USD 100 plus AED 20 Knowledge and Innovation Fees for a Public Register Extract or a document extract. The handbook’s ordering route uses the DIFC Client Portal through the entity’s existing account. The separate fee tariff lists the same base fee and surcharge for a Certificate of Good Standing and a Certificate of Incumbency. These are DIFC charges. [6] [10] [11]
Electronic certificates from ADGM
ADGM issues Certificates of Incumbency and Certificates of Good Standing electronically. An Incumbency Certificate contains registry information about the entity, such as its registered office and listed directors. Apply through “Corporate Services” in the registry portal. You need an account with authority over the entity. As an outside researcher, ask an authorised representative of the company to place the order. [15]
Certified copies of constitutional documents held by ADGM are also issued electronically. For other company-related documents, authorised users upload the document with their request. ADGM checks its connection to the company and emails the certified document to the applicant and the email address they nominate. [15]
Financial statements and public access
ADGM generally requires companies and limited liability partnerships to file annual accounts. Restricted Scope Companies are exempt unless the Registrar requires them to file. ADGM’s guidance also distinguishes different preparation and audit requirements. [8]
Request the required accounts from the responsible registrar and specify the financial year. Filing obligations, public disclosure and available copies depend on the entity type and registry jurisdiction. Growth helps identify the licence record. [2] [5] [8]
Access to beneficial ownership information
Article 16 of Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023 protects the beneficial-owner and partner or shareholder data within its scope. Disclosure to third parties is generally prohibited unless the specified consent or an exception applies. Article 17 deals particularly with cooperation between competent authorities. [7]
The decision expressly excludes financial free zones. Do not apply its access provisions automatically to DIFC or ADGM; their own free-zone rules apply. [7] [9]
What an overseas researcher can do
ADGM’s Registration Authority explicitly encourages the public to use its free Company Search. Use that route for initial identification. Separate document requests require attention to the document type, eligible applicant and delivery arrangements of the responsible authority. [4] [5]
The DIFC handbook requires an existing entity account established when the entity is set up. A Super User, meaning the account administrator, grants access to additional users. This process does not describe guest ordering by an unrelated third party. [11]
Separately, section 5.5.4 of the DIFC Operating Regulations provides for an extract upon application and payment of the prescribed fee. If you are an external researcher without entity-account access, ask the Registrar of Companies how to submit that request. A public profile does not provide access to the entity’s account. [10] [11]
ADGM Business Extract in the company profile
Authorised users receive a separately ordered ADGM Business Extract for USD 100 through the selected delivery method and in the company’s portal profile. [16]
Since 28 August 2026, a certified Business Extract has been included in new companies’ welcome packs at no extra charge. Certain change filings can include a request for an updated extract. This appears in the company profile after approval, without a separate email. These services are for authorised company users. [16]
Avoid common mistakes
- A national licence entry is not a complete public corporate file. [1] [2]
- Limited details for a Restricted Scope Company may follow its disclosure regime. [9]
- The federal beneficial-owner decision excludes financial free zones. A uniform access claim across UAE registers would therefore be unreliable. [7]
Frequently asked questions
Is there one register containing every document of every UAE company?
Growth is the national entry point for licence information. For corporate documents, continue to the responsible registration or licensing authority. ADGM and DIFC have their own registers and document services. [1] [2] [3]
Does the ADGM company search cost money?
The public Company Search is free. A separately ordered register extract costs USD 100 under ADGM’s tariff. [4] [5]
Which register should I use for a Dubai company?
Identify the licence issuer first. A DIFC company belongs to the DIFC register; other Dubai entities may fall under a local authority or another free zone. [1] [6] [10] [11]
Can I receive ADGM certificates electronically?
Yes. ADGM describes electronic delivery of Good Standing and Incumbency certificates and certified constitutional documents. Requests under “Corporate Services” require authority over the entity. Select the document type, complete the application and pay the fee. The guidance provides for immediate electronic issue after payment. [15]
Original sources
Sources reviewed: 14 September 2026. The guidance is based on the linked information published by registers and public authorities.
- Ministry of Economy signs MoU with ADNOC to integrate data, enhance digital transformation of National Economic Register Emirates News Agency (WAM)
- Economic Integration Committee propels national business climate Emirates News Agency (WAM)
- ADGM Public Registers Abu Dhabi Global Market
- Warning on non-ADGM companies and public register checks ADGM Registration Authority
- ADGM Registration Authority: Overview of Fees 2025 ADGM Registration Authority
- DIFC Registrar of Companies: Table of Fees Dubai International Financial Centre
- Cabinet Decision No. 109 of 2023: Beneficial Owner Procedures UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism
- ADGM Annual Accounts ADGM Registration Authority
- ADGM Special Purpose Vehicles Abu Dhabi Global Market
- DIFC Operating Regulations, revised 2025 Dubai International Financial Centre
- DIFC Corporate Actions Handbook, revision 27 Dubai International Financial Centre
- ADGM: aktuelle englische Registersuchmaske Abu Dhabi Global Market
- DIFC: aktuelle englische Gastregistermaske Dubai International Financial Centre
- ADGM Terms and Conditions Abu Dhabi Global Market
- ADGM: Guidance on Corporate Services ADGM Registration Authority
- ADGM: Changes to Business Extract Issuance and Service Fees ADGM Registration Authority