Legal Translation Requirements in Dubai, UAE
If you are submitting foreign-issued, non-Arabic documents to UAE authorities, such as Dubai Courts, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), notaries, or immigration services, you will need a certified legal translation into Arabic.
Likewise, if you are planning to use a UAE-issued document abroad, most foreign authorities will also require it to be legally translated into the target language.
Certified legal translation in the UAE must be completed by a translator licensed and authorised by the UAE Ministry of Justice. This involves translating the document into Arabic (or from Arabic into another language, if for use abroad), and affixing the translator’s official stamp and signature to certify its accuracy.
In Dubai, specific authorities may impose additional requirements:
- Dubai Courts require legal translations to be submitted by MOJ-approved translators for use in legal proceedings.
- The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) mandates that all legal translators operating in the UAE be licensed under Cabinet Resolution No. 7 of 2014.
- Public notaries may request legal translations when notarising non-Arabic documents or witnessing declarations.
- Immigration authorities require all supporting documents to be in Arabic and translations completed by a certified translator.
At Translayte, we work exclusively with translators who are licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice and approved to provide certified legal translations in Dubai, UAE. If you need to translate your birth certificate for UAE immigration or a commercial licence for use abroad, we ensure your documents meet the exact legal requirements for acceptance.
Documents Issued Abroad For Use in Dubai, UAE
Documents issued outside of the UAE will need to go through the following processes to be acceptable and used within the UAE:
- Apostille / Legalisation: the document will require an Apostille (for countries that are party to The Hague Convention) or Attestation from the issuing government or authority. To obtain an Apostille, you may first need to have it notarised by a Notary Public.
- UAE Embassy Attestation: Submit the document, with its Apostille, to the UAE Embassy in that country to obtain an embassy attestation.
- MOFA Attestation: The document, containing the UAE embassy attestation, can then be presented to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the UAE for an attestation.
- Legal Translation: For non-Arabic documents that have been attested, you will require a legal translation into Arabic by a Ministry of Justice approved translator.
- MOJ Certification: To validate the legal translation, the translator will have their signature attested by the Ministry of Justice.
Translayte works with Notaries Public in several countries and can assist in organising all of the above steps for documents issued in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, the USA, Canada, the Netherlands, and Australia.
Documents Issued in Dubai, UAE, For Use Abroad
Documents issued in the UAE, such as birth or marriage certificates, power of attorneys, or other legal contracts, can be certified/attested in the UAE before being used abroad.
- MOFA Attestation: The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for attesting all UAE-issued documents, including personal and business certificates, and legal documents. You may first need to visit a Notary Public and the Ministry of Justice before the document can be attested.
- Certified Translation: once the document has been attested by MOFA, you may then have it translated into the language of the target country, using locally acceptable certified translations.
Translayte can help produce certified and sworn translations acceptable in 26 countries (including the UK, USA, France, Germany, Canada, and Australia), and legalised translations acceptable in all countries party to The Hague Convention.
Who Needs Legal Translation Dubai Services?
You may need legal translation services in Dubai if you're;
- Moving to the UAE: For visa applications, or translating birth, marriage, or academic certificates.
- Setting up a business: Whether in a Free Zone or on the mainland, you'll need translated trade licences, Articles of Association, and other legal paperwork.
- Involved in a legal case: Court documents and legal correspondence must be accurately translated for Dubai Courts or law firms.
- Working with authorities or embassies: Legal translations are often required when submitting documents to UAE ministries, notaries, or foreign embassies.
- Handling sensitive documents: In sectors like real estate, finance, or healthcare, where contracts, policies, or patient records must be legally translated.
- Requiring website localisation: Especially for legal or corporate websites needing compliance with UAE regulations.
- Needing financial translation: For audits, annual reports, mergers, or investment documentation.
Our Legal Translation Process in Dubai
We’ve streamlined our legal translation process to make it fast, secure, and fully compliant with UAE regulations. Here’s how it works:
- Submit your documents: Navigate to “CHECK PRICES & PLACE ORDER” on the top right side of this page to upload scanned copies or clear photos of your documents. We accept a wide range of formats and document types.
- Get a quote and confirm your order: Choose the source and target languages, e.g., English to Arabic or vice versa. We’ll review your document and selection and send you a free quote with a timeline. Once confirmed, we begin right away.
- Translation by an MOJ-certified legal translator: Your documents are translated by a legal translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice (MOJ), ensuring accuracy and compliance with local requirements.
- Review and quality assurance: Each translation is carefully reviewed and proofread to ensure it meets official standards and is ready for submission.
- Receive your translation: Get your final translation in digital format (PDF with stamp), or request physical copies delivered to your location.
