How to Check a Criminal Case in the UAE, Step‑by‑step (2026 Update)

Last updated: 3 August 2026

Knowing how to check a criminal case in the UAE is essential for anyone who suspects a case has been filed against them, needs to verify their status before travelling, or is trying to locate a detained family member. The UAE maintains three separate data systems for criminal matters, police records, Public Prosecution files, and court registers, each accessible through a different government portal using a different identifier. This guide maps each portal, explains which identifier to use at each stage, and sets out the practical steps to take once results appear. It reflects the 2025–26 e‑service enhancements rolled out by Dubai Police, the Dubai Public Prosecution (DXBPP), the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), and Dubai Courts.

Overview of the Criminal Case Status Process in the UAE

Criminal case data in the UAE sits across three distinct layers, and no single portal returns the full picture. Understanding the difference between these layers is the first step in any criminal case status inquiry.

• Police records. Held by the emirate‑level police authority (Dubai Police, Abu Dhabi Police, Sharjah Police, etc.). These records cover initial complaints, investigations, arrest or detention status, police reference numbers, and police‑imposed travel bans on financial cases.
• Public Prosecution files. Once police refer a matter, the Public Prosecution, such as the DXBPP in Dubai, records whether charges are filed or dropped, issues prosecution‑level travel bans, and assigns a prosecution case number. The prosecution portal shows charge status and upcoming hearing dates.
• Court registers. After charges are filed, the competent court, Dubai Courts, the ADJD courts in Abu Dhabi, or the Federal courts, logs session dates, judgments, fines, and enforcement orders. Court portals allow a case number lookup for session schedules and final rulings.

A police case online check may return “no record” while a prosecution or court case still exists, and vice versa. To get a complete criminal case status picture, all three layers should be queried.

Eligibility and Prerequisites for Checking a Criminal Case in the UAE

Not everyone can access every record. UAE privacy rules and portal design mean that the level of detail you can retrieve depends on who you are and which identifier you hold.

Who Can Access What

• Accused person. Can check all three portals using their own Emirates ID, case number, or police reference number. Full access to prosecution and court portals when using the correct case number.
• Authorised lawyer. Can query portals on behalf of a client and, with a notarised power of attorney, request certified copies of case files, prosecution notices, and court judgments.
• Family member or friend. Can run basic online checks (Emirates ID or reference number) but cannot obtain certified documents without a power of attorney or lawyer appointment.
• Embassy or consular staff. Can inquire on behalf of detained nationals, typically by coordinating with police or prosecution through official diplomatic channels.
• Employers. Can check case status only with the written consent of the employee concerned. Running a check without consent risks a privacy breach under UAE law.

Portals generally accept an Emirates ID number, a case number, or a police reference number as the primary identifier. Some portals also accept a passport number, which is particularly useful for visitors or residents whose Emirates ID has expired. If you only have a name and no reference number, the DXBPP case inquiry portal allows search by accused name in certain circumstances, though results may be ambiguous if the name is common.

How to Check a Criminal Case in the UAE, Step‑by‑Step Procedure

The procedure below maps each official portal to the type of information it returns. Work through the steps in order to build a complete picture, or jump directly to the portal relevant to the stage of the case you are investigating.

Step 1, Check Police or Detention Status via Dubai Police (or Emirate‑Level Police)

1. Navigate to the Dubai Police portal. Go to the official Dubai Police website and locate the “Application Status” or “Criminal Case Status Inquiry” service. For other emirates, use the relevant police authority’s e‑services page.
2. Enter your identifier. The service accepts an Emirates ID number, a passport number, or a police reference number. Enter whichever identifier you have. If checking via Emirates ID, enter the full 15‑digit number.
3. Review the result. The portal will indicate whether a police report or complaint has been registered, whether a travel ban is in place (particularly for financial offences), and whether the individual is recorded as detained or wanted. A result showing “No record found” means no complaint is lodged at the police level in that emirate, it does not rule out prosecution or court records.
4. If the result shows detention or a wanted status: contact an experienced UAE criminal lawyer immediately. If the person is a foreign national, notify the relevant embassy or consulate. Request a copy of the arrest report and confirm the detention location through the lawyer or the police call centre (901 for Dubai Police).

This step is critical for families trying to locate a detained person. Dubai Police’s online service can confirm whether someone is held in police custody and, if so, which station or facility is involved.

Step 2, Check Prosecution Records via Dubai Public Prosecution (DXBPP)

1. Go to the DXBPP Case Inquiry portal. The Dubai Public Prosecution website provides a dedicated “Case Inquiry” page.
2. Enter the case number. The prosecution case number is the most reliable identifier. If the case number is not known, some fields allow search by the accused’s name, though accuracy depends on exact name matching. Verify the case number, type, and year before submitting.
3. Interpret the result. The portal will show whether the case is under investigation, whether charges have been filed, whether a travel ban has been imposed by the prosecution, and the date of the next scheduled hearing. A prosecution record at this stage means the matter has progressed beyond the police investigation phase.
4. If a prosecution record exists: instruct a lawyer to request access to the full case file, including witness statements and evidence. The lawyer can also apply for conditional release or bail where the offence type permits it under Federal Decree‑Law No. 38/2022 on Criminal Procedure.

The DXBPP portal is the primary tool for checking whether a Dubai Police case inquiry has been escalated to formal charges. For cases outside Dubai, contact the relevant emirate’s prosecution office directly.

Step 3, Check Court Case Status via Dubai Courts or ADJD

1. Select the correct court portal. Use the Dubai Courts “Inquiry by Case Number” service for cases in the Dubai court system, or the ADJD CaseStudyEnquiry page for Abu Dhabi criminal cases. Federal‑level cases may require querying the Federal court system separately.
2. Enter the court case number and year. The court case number is distinct from the prosecution case number, although they are sometimes cross‑referenced. Enter the exact case number and the year it was registered.
3. Review the output. The court portal returns session dates, whether a judgment has been issued, the nature of the judgment (conviction, acquittal, fine), and any enforcement notes. The ADJD portal additionally provides information on whether the case is classified as a felony or misdemeanour.
4. If a judgment has been recorded: check the appeal window immediately. Under UAE criminal procedure, the appeal window is typically 15–30 days from the date of judgment, depending on the court and case type. Missing this deadline can permanently forfeit the right to challenge the ruling.

Court case status UAE inquiries are only possible once the prosecution has formally filed charges and the matter has been assigned to a court. If the court portal returns no result, the case may still be at the police or prosecution stage.

Step 4, Choosing the Right Identifier: Emirates ID, Passport, or Case Number

Not all portals accept all identifiers. The table below clarifies which identifier works on which portal, helping you run the most efficient check.

Employers conducting pre‑employment or ongoing checks must obtain signed written consent from the individual before using any identifier to query these portals. Running an unauthorised check can expose the employer to liability under UAE data‑protection and privacy regulations.

Step 5, If You Find a Case: Immediate Legal Triage

If any portal returns an active criminal record, take the following steps without delay:

1. Instruct an experienced UAE criminal lawyer. Do not attend a police station or court hearing without legal representation.
2. If you are a foreign national, contact your embassy or consulate and request consular assistance.
3. Through your lawyer, request a certified copy of the police report, prosecution notice, or court file.
4. Do not attempt to leave the UAE. A travel ban, whether police‑ or court‑imposed, will be flagged at immigration, and attempting to depart may escalate the matter.
5. Prepare all identity documents, powers of attorney, and any evidence relevant to bail or defence applications.

Documents Needed to Check a Criminal Case in the UAE

Before running any inquiry, gather the following documents and information. Having the correct identifier ready prevents wasted time and ensures accurate results from each portal.

Criminal Case Timeline and Key Deadlines in the UAE

Understanding the criminal case timeline helps determine which portal to check and how urgently legal representation is needed. The time frames below reflect typical practice under Federal Decree‑Law No. 38/2022 on Criminal Procedure, though actual durations vary by case complexity and emirate.

The appeal window is the most critical deadline. Once it expires, the judgment becomes final and enforceable. Counsel should be instructed well before the window closes to preserve all options. Travel ban resolution depends on whether the ban was imposed by police (typically for financial cases) or by the court; a court‑imposed ban generally requires a formal court order to lift.

Costs and Fees for Checking a Criminal Case in the UAE

All fee ranges above are indicative and should be confirmed with the relevant authority or legal provider before committing to a course of action.

What Changes in 2026 for Criminal Case Checks in the UAE

The 2025–26 period has seen a significant expansion of the UAE’s digital criminal‑justice infrastructure, directly affecting how to check a criminal case in the UAE:

• DXBPP case inquiry portal. The Dubai Public Prosecution’s online case inquiry service has been enhanced to support search by case number, case type, and year, with clearer result screens showing prosecution status and travel‑ban flags.
• ADJD CaseStudyEnquiry. The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department now provides more detailed session dates, judgment summaries, and case classification (felony or misdemeanour) through its CaseStudyEnquiry e‑service.
• Dubai Police, Application Status. The service now flags financial‑case travel bans more prominently and allows status checks using both Emirates ID and passport numbers.
• Fragmentation risk. Early indications suggest that while more information is available online, it remains fragmented across police, prosecution, and court systems. Querying only one portal may give an incomplete or misleading picture. Industry observers expect further integration, but for now all three portals should be checked.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Using the wrong identifier or misspelling a name. Arabic name transliteration varies. A single character difference can return “no record” even when a case exists. Always use a case number or Emirates ID number where possible.
• Relying on one portal only. A clean police record does not mean there is no prosecution file. Check all three layers, police, prosecution, and court, for a complete picture.
• Interpreting “no record” as clearance. An online “no record” result may simply mean the data has not yet been uploaded, or the case is registered in a different emirate. In‑person arrests and same‑day detentions may not appear on portals immediately.
• Attempting to travel with an unresolved case. Travel bans are enforced at immigration exit points. Attempting to depart with an active ban will result in being stopped and may lead to further complications.
• Employers running unauthorised checks. Querying an employee’s criminal status without written consent can expose the employer to privacy‑related liability.
• Delaying certified document requests. Certified case extracts can take 3–14 days. Waiting until the appeal deadline is imminent can make it impossible to file on time.

Sources

1. Dubai Police, Application Status / e‑Services
2. Dubai Public Prosecution (DXBPP), Case Inquiry
3. Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), CaseStudyEnquiry
4. Dubai Courts, Inquiry by Case Number
5. UAE Official Government Portal, Preliminary Checks
6. UAE Ministry of Justice