UAE companies have specific company secretarial requirements. This is particularly true in DIFC, ADGM, and for mainland LLCs. Here is a complete guide to UAE company secretary obligations in 2025.
UAE Mainland LLC Company Secretary
UAE mainland LLCs are not strictly required to appoint a company secretary in the UK/Singapore sense. However, they must maintain: a registered office address (where official correspondence is received), up-to-date share register, minute books for shareholder and manager meetings, and compliance filings with the DED (annual licence renewal, any structural changes via MOA amendment). These responsibilities are typically handled by the company’s manager/director or an external management company. When does a mainland company need a company secretary firm? When shareholders are all abroad (someone needs to handle UAE filings locally), when the company grows to 50+ employees and compliance becomes complex, or when preparing for foreign investment (investors expect proper governance records).
DIFC Company Secretary Requirements
All DIFC companies must have a registered office within DIFC (or an appointed DIFC registered address provider). DIFC Companies Law does not mandate a company secretary for most entity types, but companies must keep statutory registers (shareholders, directors, meeting minutes) available at the registered office or with the DIFC Registrar, and directors are responsible for ensuring filings are made to the DIFC Registrar on time. In practice: most DIFC companies use a DIFC-licensed company service provider (CSP) for registered office services and compliance support. These firms serve the company secretary function even without holding that title formally.
ADGM Company Secretary
ADGM: similar to DIFC. All companies must have a registered address in ADGM. ADGM Registration Authority (RA) maintains statutory records. Directors are responsible for timely filings. Many ADGM companies use ADGM-licensed registered agents who provide company secretarial services.