Dubai: If you’re a Dubai resident, you know that paperless transactions and communications are the way to go. That’s why the emirate has made getting digital copies of all official documents a simple process.

Here’s how you can get digital versions of all your government-issued documents, right from your smartphone.

Why do I need digital copies of documents?

The shift to digital document management, rather than reliance on physical hard copies, is inevitable in a visionary city like Dubai.

The government of Dubai has been taking proactive steps to create a fully paperless government for years. Launched in 2018, the Dubai Paperless Strategy eliminated more than 336 million sheets of paper used for government transactions every year, saving time, resources and the environment.

Digital Dubai, the government entity that’s tasked with digitalising all aspects of life in Dubai, is leading the emirate’s shift toward a fully integrated, smart government.

In April this year, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, directed all government entities in the emirate to integrate services for individuals and businesses into a unified digital ecosystem within one year, with Digital Dubai overseeing its implementation.

As part of these initiatives, ensuring government-issued documents are available to all residents without the need for paper, is a key aspect of the city’s vision.

What kind of documents can I request, as digital copies?

According to Digital Dubai, your UAE PASS permits you access to a host of documents available in official digital formats. Here are just a few examples of documents you can own digitally:

  • Emirates ID
  • Passport for UAE citizens
  • Driving licence
  • Vehicle registration card (Mulkiya)
  • Attested academic certificates and records
  • People of determination card (Sanad)

How do I request digital copies?

You will require your UAE PASS, which is your national digital identity, to request a digital copy of a government-issued document. Follow these steps to make your request:

  • Download the UAE PASS app through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Log in with your biometric information.
  • At the bottom of the home screen, tap on ‘Documents’ in the menu bar. Tap on ‘Request a document’.
  • You will now be able to view a list of all official documents that can be requested, such as driver’s licence or academic qualifications equivalency certificate. Find your required document and click ‘Request’.
  • Your Emirates ID card information will be used to request the document. Select ‘Confirm request’. Wait for the process to complete.
  • Once the process is complete, you will receive a notification via the app. Click on ‘View document’. You will be to see the digital version on your app.
  • Click on the three dots beside the document to be able to view more details and access other facilities, such as saving the document as a PDF, seeing the date issued, and removing the document.

 Fee: The service is free of charge.