How to Issue Share Certificates for Your UAE Free Zone Company 2026
Share certificates are key ownership documents for UAE free zone companies. Here is the complete 2026 guide to issuing and managing share certificates.
In this guide:
What Is a Share Certificate?
- Document: Official document confirming that a named person (or entity) owns a specified number of shares in the company
- Required for: Banking, visa applications, proving ownership, investor relations
- Issued by: The company; signed by director; company stamp (if applicable)
When Are Share Certificates Issued?
- At incorporation: Free zone issues initial share certificate with company registration
- After share transfer: New certificates issued to new shareholders
- After capital increase: New or updated certificates if capital increased
Share Certificate Information Required
- Company name and registration number
- Shareholder name (exactly as on passport)
- Shareholder nationality and passport number
- Number of shares held
- Class of shares (usually ordinary shares)
- Share value (nominal value per share)
- Date of issue
- Director signature
Requesting a Replacement Share Certificate
- Lost or damaged: Apply to free zone authority for replacement
- Process: Written request; statutory declaration (if lost); fee (AED 200-1,000)
- Timeline: 3-7 working days typically
Why Banks Want Share Certificates
- KYC: Bank verifies ultimate ownership; share certificate confirms who owns the company
- UBO: Share certificate combined with passport confirms UBO identity
- Always keep current: Ensure share certificate matches current ownership structure