There is no single national search for cases, so check the official channel of each system that could hold one. In Dubai, use Dubai Police services and the Dubai Courts case inquiry. In Abu Dhabi, use the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) criminal case inquiry and Estafser. For the federal courts, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) offers a Public Prosecution enquiry and a court certificate that shows whether a lawsuit exists against you. Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah run their own judicial systems.
Who this guide is for
- Residents who received an SMS, call or letter about a case and want to confirm it through an official channel.
- People leaving the UAE, changing jobs or applying for a visa who want to know whether anything is open against them.
- Complainants following up on a report they filed.
This guide complements our travel ban guide, which covers checks for travel bans. If you want to report a crime, see how to file a police complaint.
Which channel shows what?
| Where | Official channel | What you need | What it shows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Dubai Police "Application Status" | Reference number | Status of an application you made; free and instant |
| Dubai | Dubai Police "Circulars and travel bans" | UAE Pass | Circulars for financial cases and travel bans against you; free and instant |
| Dubai | Dubai Courts case inquiry | Case number, or case category | Details of settlement, claim, temporary or summary order, judgment challenge, execution or judicial committee files |
| Abu Dhabi | ADJD "Criminal Cases Status Inquiry" | Criminal case number, year, type and prosecution unit, or a police number | Status of a criminal case at the prosecution |
| Abu Dhabi | ADJD Estafser | Unified ID (UID) number | Enquiry by identity |
| Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain (federal) | MOJ Public Prosecution "Enquiry application" | UAE Pass | Details and status of a criminal case |
| Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain (federal) | MOJ "To whom it may concern certificate in courts" | UAE Pass; fee | Whether a lawsuit exists against you |
| Sharjah | Sharjah Judicial Department e-services (sjd.ae) | Sign-in on the portal | Services for cases in Sharjah courts |
| Ras Al Khaimah | RAK Courts e-services (courts.rak.ae) | See the portal | Services for cases in RAK courts |
As of September 2026, the MOJ certificate page lists a fee of 50 and a service time of two days, and describes the certificate as proving "the existence or absence of a lawsuit" against the applicant. The Public Prosecution enquiry page lists no fee.
Sharjah is no longer on the federal system. In October 2024 the Ruler of Sharjah issued decrees creating a Sharjah Judicial Council, Judicial Department and Public Prosecution, and the Sharjah Judicial Department now supervises Sharjah's courts. Some federal pages still list Sharjah as using federal courts, so for Sharjah cases start with the Sharjah Judicial Department and check with the MOJ if an older federal case may exist.
Police record, prosecution file or court case?
A case moves through different systems, so it can appear in one place and not another.
- Police report. Registered at the police. It may not show in court systems until it is referred.
- Prosecution case. The Public Prosecution investigates and decides whether to close the file or refer it to court.
- Court case. A civil or criminal case registered at a court, with its own number.
- Execution file. Opened after a judgment, payment order or bounced cheque to enforce payment; see our judgment execution guide.
Police clearance certificate. Dubai Police issues a certificate proving that a person has no criminal record in the UAE. As of September 2026, its page lists AED 100 for citizens, AED 200 for residents and AED 300 (or USD 88) from outside the UAE, plus AED 20 in knowledge and innovation fees and AED 100 more if you apply in person at a service centre, with a service time of five working days. A clearance certificate is about criminal records. It is not a full list of open civil cases, so do not treat it as one.
Step by step
- Set up UAE Pass. Most official checks need it, or your Emirates ID or Unified ID (UID) number.
- Work out where a case could be. Think about where you live, work, bank and sign contracts, and which emirate any dispute relates to.
- Check the police channels. In Dubai, use "Circulars and travel bans"; to follow an application you made, use "Application Status" with its reference number.
- Check the courts. Use the Dubai Courts case inquiry, ADJD services, the Sharjah or RAK court e-services, or MOJ services for the federal courts.
- Check the prosecution. For federal cases, use the MOJ "Enquiry application"; in Abu Dhabi, use the ADJD criminal case inquiry.
- Ask for a certificate if you need proof. The MOJ court certificate or a police clearance certificate can be used as a document.
- Record what you find. Note the case number, authority, type of case, dates and any amount.
- Act on it. Attend hearings, respond to notices, pay or settle, or take advice.
Documents checklist
- Emirates ID and passport
- Unified ID (UID) number
- Active UAE Pass account on your own phone
- Any SMS, email or letter mentioning a case, with its number
- Police report or complaint reference numbers
- Company trade licence, if you are checking for a business
- Power of attorney, if a lawyer checks for you
Common mistakes
- Trusting an SMS or call without checking. Confirm through the official app or website yourself, not a link in a message.
- Checking only one emirate. A case in another emirate or court system may not show.
- Using unofficial "case check" websites. Do not enter your Emirates ID, passport or UAE Pass codes on third-party sites.
- Treating a clearance certificate as a full check. It covers criminal records, not every open civil case.
- Ignoring a case you find. Missing a hearing can lead to a judgment in your absence and enforcement steps.
- Assuming Sharjah cases are at the MOJ. Sharjah now runs its own judicial department.
When to speak to a licensed lawyer
Speak to a licensed lawyer if you find a case you did not know about, if a hearing date is close, if a judgment was issued in your absence, or if there are cases in more than one emirate. A lawyer with a valid power of attorney can also follow the file for you. Not sure which authority handles your matter? Try the UAE authority navigator. The free case check can help you set out the facts first, and CaseDaleel can introduce an independent licensed professional only if you choose.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if there is a case against me in the UAE?
Check the official channel of each system: Dubai Police and Dubai Courts, ADJD in Abu Dhabi, the Sharjah Judicial Department, RAK Courts, and MOJ services for the federal courts.
Can I check for a case with my Emirates ID only?
Some services use your UID or UAE Pass, such as ADJD Estafser and MOJ services, while others need a case or reference number.
What is the difference between a police case and a court case?
A police report is handled first by the police and then the Public Prosecution, and only becomes a court case if the prosecution refers it to court.
Does a police clearance certificate show pending civil cases?
No, it proves that you have no criminal record in the UAE; civil claims and execution files are checked through the courts.
Which MOJ service proves that there is no lawsuit against me?
The "To whom it may concern certificate in courts" service, which the MOJ describes as proving the existence or absence of a lawsuit against the applicant.
Can someone check for me?
Most checks use your own UAE Pass or details, but a lawyer with a valid power of attorney may be able to follow cases for you.
I found a travel ban. What now?
Identify the case behind it and follow the steps in our travel ban guide.
Official sources
- Dubai Police — Application Status
- Dubai Courts — Case inquiry
- Abu Dhabi Judicial Department — Criminal Cases Status Inquiry
- Ministry of Justice — Application for To whom it may concern certificate in courts
- Ministry of Justice — Enquiry application (Public Prosecution)
General information, not legal advice. CaseDaleel is not a law firm.