ADJD Wills FAQ: Everything Expats Ask About Video Notarisation
Video notarisation is one of the most searched parts of the ADJD wills process, and that is easy to understand. For many expats, it sounds convenient but also unfamiliar. People want to know whether it is formal enough, whether they must attend personally, whether English is possible, and what actually happens on the screen when the appointment begins. The short answer is that video notarisation is not a shortcut around the legal process. It is part of the legal process.
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department makes the sequence clear in its official FAQs. A non-Muslim will application is first submitted through the ADJD website, then reviewed by the competent employee, followed by payment of the prescribed fees, and only after that does the applicant book the video appointment. In other words, the video stage is not the first interaction with the authority. It is the point at which the reviewed application is brought forward for formal authentication. That distinction helps expats understand why the quality of the earlier drafting and submission work matters so much.
One of the most common questions is whether the appointment is optional. In practical terms, the answer is no if the registration path requires it. ADJD’s own guidance states that the customer books an appointment to notarise the will via video call or video conferencing. Separate service guidance also explains that, after this remote meeting with the notary public, the document is digitally attested. That means the video session is not merely informative. It is the procedural bridge between an approved application and an authenticated will.
Another frequent question is who may submit or handle the process. Here again, ADJD provides a straightforward answer. The application may be submitted by the testator personally or by a representative acting under a legal power of attorney. That flexibility is useful for people who travel often, live outside Abu Dhabi for part of the year, or simply prefer to have professional support. However, flexibility should not be confused with a lack of personal responsibility. A will is a deeply personal legal act, and the applicant should fully understand what is being confirmed before the video session takes place.
Expats also ask what happens during the appointment itself. Official service materials show that the remote notary step is tied to identity verification and digital attestation. In practical terms, applicants should expect the meeting to focus on confirming identity, ensuring that the contents are understood, and verifying that the will reflects the genuine wishes of the testator. The session is not designed to be dramatic or intimidating, but it is formal. This is why it is wise to review the final text in advance, make sure names and asset references are correct, and join the call from a quiet place with stable internet access.
Language is another major area of concern. Abu Dhabi’s legal materials state that the relevant forms and procedures are available in English and Arabic, which is one reason the process is more approachable for international residents than many assume. ADJD’s broader notary guidance also indicates that many transactions can be notarised in English where the wording is accurate, and that a certified legal translator may sometimes be required depending on the circumstances. For expats, the practical lesson is simple: clarity matters more than speed. If language support is needed, that should be addressed before the session rather than during it.
A very common question is whether the will can deal only with Abu Dhabi assets. The answer is broader than many expect. The ADJD wills FAQ states that it is possible to bequeath money and property located outside the country. That does not eliminate the need to think about cross-border enforcement, but it does show that video notarisation under the ADJD route can support broader estate planning than a narrow Abu Dhabi-only mindset would suggest.
People also worry about mistakes. This concern is justified. The more accurate the drafting, the smoother the video notarisation usually becomes. ADJD’s wider e-services and notary guidance suggests that when material errors exist, a new application or amendment path may be required. For that reason, it is wise to treat the appointment as a confirmation stage, not as the moment to improvise key decisions.
The real value of video notarisation is that it combines formality with accessibility. It allows expats to complete an official step remotely without stripping the process of legal seriousness. That balance is exactly why so many people are searching for it. EasyWill can be especially useful here, because the difference between feeling confused and feeling prepared often comes down to having the will drafted and organized properly before the appointment is ever booked.
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department makes the sequence clear in its official FAQs. A non-Muslim will application is first submitted through the ADJD website, then reviewed by the competent employee, followed by payment of the prescribed fees, and only after that does the applicant book the video appointment. In other words, the video stage is not the first interaction with the authority. It is the point at which the reviewed application is brought forward for formal authentication. That distinction helps expats understand why the quality of the earlier drafting and submission work matters so much.
One of the most common questions is whether the appointment is optional. In practical terms, the answer is no if the registration path requires it. ADJD’s own guidance states that the customer books an appointment to notarise the will via video call or video conferencing. Separate service guidance also explains that, after this remote meeting with the notary public, the document is digitally attested. That means the video session is not merely informative. It is the procedural bridge between an approved application and an authenticated will.
Another frequent question is who may submit or handle the process. Here again, ADJD provides a straightforward answer. The application may be submitted by the testator personally or by a representative acting under a legal power of attorney. That flexibility is useful for people who travel often, live outside Abu Dhabi for part of the year, or simply prefer to have professional support. However, flexibility should not be confused with a lack of personal responsibility. A will is a deeply personal legal act, and the applicant should fully understand what is being confirmed before the video session takes place.
Expats also ask what happens during the appointment itself. Official service materials show that the remote notary step is tied to identity verification and digital attestation. In practical terms, applicants should expect the meeting to focus on confirming identity, ensuring that the contents are understood, and verifying that the will reflects the genuine wishes of the testator. The session is not designed to be dramatic or intimidating, but it is formal. This is why it is wise to review the final text in advance, make sure names and asset references are correct, and join the call from a quiet place with stable internet access.
Language is another major area of concern. Abu Dhabi’s legal materials state that the relevant forms and procedures are available in English and Arabic, which is one reason the process is more approachable for international residents than many assume. ADJD’s broader notary guidance also indicates that many transactions can be notarised in English where the wording is accurate, and that a certified legal translator may sometimes be required depending on the circumstances. For expats, the practical lesson is simple: clarity matters more than speed. If language support is needed, that should be addressed before the session rather than during it.
A very common question is whether the will can deal only with Abu Dhabi assets. The answer is broader than many expect. The ADJD wills FAQ states that it is possible to bequeath money and property located outside the country. That does not eliminate the need to think about cross-border enforcement, but it does show that video notarisation under the ADJD route can support broader estate planning than a narrow Abu Dhabi-only mindset would suggest.
People also worry about mistakes. This concern is justified. The more accurate the drafting, the smoother the video notarisation usually becomes. ADJD’s wider e-services and notary guidance suggests that when material errors exist, a new application or amendment path may be required. For that reason, it is wise to treat the appointment as a confirmation stage, not as the moment to improvise key decisions.
The real value of video notarisation is that it combines formality with accessibility. It allows expats to complete an official step remotely without stripping the process of legal seriousness. That balance is exactly why so many people are searching for it. EasyWill can be especially useful here, because the difference between feeling confused and feeling prepared often comes down to having the will drafted and organized properly before the appointment is ever booked.
