If your degree, diploma, or school certificate shows a name that no longer matches your passport, a date of birth that was entered wrong, or a nationality that has changed, you are looking at a real problem. Employers, immigration officers, and universities compare the personal details on your academic records with your official IDs, and mismatches cause rejections. Learning how to update personal details on academic records in the UAE the right way saves you from wasted applications, attestation headaches, and delays at the worst possible moment.
The good news is that the process is straightforward once you know which office handles your records. In the UAE, updates are handled either by the institution that issued the certificate, by the Ministry of Education (MoE), by the KHDA in Dubai, or by the ADEK in Abu Dhabi, depending on where and when you studied. Below is a complete, practical guide.
Quick Answer
To update personal details on your academic records in the UAE, contact the school or university that issued the certificate first, since only the issuing institution can change its own records. Submit an application with proof of the correct details (passport, Emirates ID, or a court order for name changes), and the institution reissues or amends the record. For school certificates, the update usually goes through KHDA (Dubai private schools), ADEK (Abu Dhabi), or the Ministry of Education (public schools and other emirates). Expect the process to take a few days to a few weeks, and remember that any attested copies of the old certificate become outdated after the change.
What “Personal Details” Means on Academic Records
Academic records include more than the certificate hanging on your wall. Your personal details appear on:
- The degree or diploma certificate itself
- Transcripts and mark sheets for each year of study
- The institution’s student database and registration records
- Attested copies issued by education authorities
- Equivalency certificates (if your foreign qualification was already recognized)
The details that most often need updating are your full name (spelling corrections or full legal name changes), your date of birth, your nationality, and your passport number. Smaller things like your address or phone number usually only sit in the institution’s contact database, not on the certificate, so they are far less critical.
Why Correct Details Matter So Much
Three everyday situations make this an urgent issue. First, employment: most UAE employers ask for an attested degree and compare the name and date of birth against your passport. Second, immigration: visa applications and Golden Visa processes reject documents with name mismatches. Third, further study: universities abroad check your application against your transcripts, and even a one-letter difference in your name can trigger extra verification.
It is worth checking your records before you need them. A quick review now beats discovering a mismatch the week before a job offer deadline. If you are unsure what your record currently shows, see our guide on how to check academic record details.
Who Handles Your Update Request
The authority you deal with depends on who issued the certificate:
- The issuing institution itself (school, college, or university). This is always your first stop. No authority can change a certificate issued by someone else.
- KHDA for records from Dubai private schools and universities regulated in Dubai. KHDA maintains student records in its system and handles updates through its smart services.
- ADEK (Department of Education and Knowledge) for schools in Abu Dhabi.
- The Ministry of Education (MoE) for public schools across the UAE, private schools following the MoE curriculum, and higher education institutions under its supervision.
If you studied abroad and your records were issued by a foreign institution, the change must be made by that foreign institution first; UAE authorities cannot amend a certificate issued by another country’s school. In that case, check the Ministry of Education’s certificate services for what UAE-side documents can be reissued once the foreign record is fixed.
How to Update Personal Details on Academic Records
Follow these steps in order. Skipping straight to the authority before visiting the issuing institution is the most common cause of rejected requests.
Step 1: Gather your proof documents
Assemble everything that proves the correct details before you apply. Typical requirements include:
- Your passport (current and, if relevant, the old one showing the previous name)
- Emirates ID showing the correct details
- The original certificate or a copy of it
- Supporting evidence for the change: birth certificate for date-of-birth fixes, marriage or divorce certificate for post-marriage name changes, or a court order for legal name changes
- A written application explaining the requested change
If any of your proof documents are in a language other than Arabic or English, you will also need a certified translation. The requirements mirror what employers and authorities generally ask for; see our guide on UAE legal translation requirements.
Step 2: Apply to the issuing institution
Contact the registrar, student affairs office, or admissions office of the school or university that issued the certificate. Many UAE institutions accept applications online through their student portal, while others require an in-person visit. Be specific in your application: state exactly which details are wrong, what the correct details are, and attach the proof documents.
Institutions typically verify your request against their archived enrollment records, the records you signed when you enrolled. If the institution’s archive agrees with your proof, they amend the record and issue an updated certificate or an official correction letter.
Step 3: Have the authority record updated (if needed)
For school-level certificates in Dubai, once the school amends its records, the school updates the student’s record in the KHDA system, which may involve the student record amendment service. For Abu Dhabi schools, ADEK’s systems are updated the same way. For MoE-issued documents, the institution or you request the updated record through the Ministry of Education portal. Keep the reference number of your request so you can track it.
Step 4: Get the new certificate issued
Once the records are corrected, request a fresh copy of the certificate showing the updated details. Some institutions reprint the certificate; others issue a correction letter that must be attached to the original. Ask explicitly for whichever version your employer or authority will accept.
Step 5: Deal with old attested copies
Any attestation you previously obtained on the old version is now tied to incorrect details. You will need to re-attest the new certificate. Read our guide to academic certificate attestation before you start, and for the full UAE process see our guide on the UAE document attestation process.
Name Changes After Marriage, Divorce, or Court Order
Name changes are the most common reason for record updates, and they need the strongest documentation. A spelling correction might only need your passport and birth certificate, but a full legal name change requires the underlying legal document: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order approving the name change.
Important points:
- The name on your certificate must match the name on your passport, not the other way round. Fix the academic record to match the passport.
- If your name changed in your home country after you graduated, change it with the foreign institution first, then re-attest and re-apply for equivalency if needed.
- For date-of-birth corrections, a court affidavit alone is often not enough; your birth certificate or passport showing the original correct date is what institutions ask for.
For detailed steps on spelling errors specifically, see how to correct an error on an academic certificate, which covers typos and misprints.
Costs and Timelines
There is no single official fee because charges vary by institution and authority. In practice, expect the following:
| Stage | Typical cost | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Institution record update | Often free; some universities charge an administrative fee | 3 to 15 working days |
| Reprinting or replacement certificate | Varies by institution | 1 to 4 weeks |
| KHDA school-related services | Around AED 120 per service | 1 to 5 working days |
| Re-attestation of the new certificate | Authority fees apply at each stage | Several working days |
These are indicative ranges, not official figures. Always confirm the current fee with the institution or authority before paying. Delays usually come from incomplete proof documents, so submit everything in one go.
Common Problems and How to Avoid Them
- Closed institutions: if your school or university no longer exists, the relevant education authority (KHDA, ADEK, or MoE) may hold archived records and can issue replacements or amendments. Approach them with your original certificate and proof documents.
- Records from before digital archives: older records may exist only on paper. Allow extra time, and bring whatever originals you have.
- Disputed changes: if the institution insists its record is correct, escalate to the authority that regulates it, with your proof documents.
- Updating only one document: people often fix the degree but forget the transcript. Update every document that carries the wrong details, or mismatches will keep appearing.
We have collected more of these scenarios in our guide to common academic document problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I update my academic records if I no longer live in the UAE?
Yes, in most cases. Many institutions accept applications through their online portals or by email, and authorities like MoE and KHDA offer online services. You may need to authorize a representative with a power of attorney for steps that require an in-person visit, such as collecting the reprinted certificate.
How long does it take to update personal details on an academic record?
Simple spelling corrections at the institution often take a few working days. Full name changes that need verification against archived records, plus any authority-level updates and re-attestation, can take several weeks. Start the process well before any visa, job, or admission deadline.
Do I need to re-attest my certificate after updating the details?
Yes. Attestation confirms the exact document presented, so an attestation on the old version does not cover the new one. Get the updated certificate re-attested through the normal chain, usually the education authority, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the embassy of the destination country.
What if the institution refuses to change my records?
Ask for the refusal in writing and find out exactly what is missing, usually it is a specific proof document. If you have supplied everything and the institution still refuses, escalate to the authority that licenses it (KHDA, ADEK, or MoE) with copies of your evidence.
Can I change my name on my certificate to a name that is not on my passport?
No. Institutions update records to match your official identity documents, not to introduce a new name. If you want a new name, complete the legal name change (and update your passport) first, then ask for the academic record update.
Will the updated certificate show that it was changed?
It depends on the institution. Some reprint a clean certificate with the corrected details; others add a note or issue a separate correction letter. Either version is acceptable to most authorities as long as it comes from the issuing institution.
The Bottom Line
Updating personal details on academic records comes down to one rule: start with the institution that issued the certificate, bring strong proof, and follow the change through every document that carries the wrong details. Check the records before a deadline forces your hand, and budget a few weeks plus the cost of re-attestation. For the wider picture of managing your certificates, our our complete academic records guide walks through every related process in one place.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.