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There is more to legal translation in Dubai than just translating words. To qualify for governments, courts, and other institutions to legally acknowledge official documents, they must be correctly translated by qualified translators licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice (MOJ).
Legal translation for personal documents is often essential for families, students, and foreign nationals in Dubai. Whether you are applying for a residency visa, getting married or divorced, enrolling a child in school, or handling inheritance matters, your personal documents must be accurately translated into Arabic and officially certified to meet legal requirements in Dubai.
Translation is only one step in the process in Dubai. Any foreign document must be translated, stamped, and properly submitted in order for authorities to accept it. It verifies that the document is legitimate, authentic, and actionable.
This article will lead you through every step of the process, whether you’re seeking certified legal translation for personal documents or translation in Dubai.
For a comprehensive overview, please refer to our Complete Guide to Legal Translation in Dubai.
Why Certified Legal Translation is Required in Dubai
The multinational United Arab Emirates welcomes people from all over the world. However, all the government departments and courts apply Arabic as their official language.
[Source: https://u.ae/en/about-the-uae/the-uae-government]
As a result, every document that was not actually written in Arabic needs to be validated and properly translated.
What Makes a Translation “Legal”?
In the United Arab Emirates, a translation that has been approved by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is considered legal.
[Source: https://www.moj.gov.ae/en/about-moj/about-moj.aspx]
These translations are legally genuine because they contain the professional translator’s official seal and signature.
When Translations Need to Be Certified?
Several of Dubai’s authorities require certified translations, including:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
- Ministry of Justice (MOJ)
- Immigration and ICA offices
- Family and personal courts
Each of these departments will only accept documents translated by MOJ-approved translators. It applies to everything from Arabic legal translation in Dubai to attested document translation for visa and court use.
Types of Personal Documents Requiring Certified Translation
Certain personal documents almost always require a certified translation before they can be submitted in Dubai. Here’s a detailed look at the most common ones.
1. Visa & Immigration Documents
Dubai’s visa and immigration procedures require several official documents, including passports, criminal record certificates, and educational qualifications.
Before submitting these papers to employers or immigration authorities, they must be translated and certified. As an example, your documents will require both translation and attestation when you apply for a work permit, resident visa, or visa application.
Workflow:
- Translate the document into Arabic through an MOJ-certified translator.
- Notarize it if necessary.
- Have it attested by MOFA or the relevant embassy.
- Please submit it to the immigration or ICA office.
It ensures your paperwork is fully compliant and accepted without delay.
2. Marriage Certificates
Your marriage certificate must be legally translated into Arabic if you were married outside of Dubai.
It is especially necessary for:
- Family visa applications
- Name change requests
- Court proceedings or divorce filings
After translation, your marriage certificate often needs notarization and MOFA attestation to be valid. A certified translator in Dubai can translate your marriage certificate into Arabic to prevent rejections or processing delays.
3. Divorce Certificates
Your divorce decree needs to be correctly translated into Arabic whether you are requesting custody, remarriage, or a monetary settlement. Family courts in Dubai will accept only legal translation for personal documents that accurately express all legal terms and conditions. Since divorce records are extremely sensitive, accuracy and confidentiality are crucial. To avoid issues during your legal procedures, always choose a competent translator who specializes in legal translation for personal documents.
4. Birth Certificates
A birth certificate translation is one of the most frequently required services for families in Dubai. It is needed for:
- Newborn registration
- School admissions
- Funding of family visas
Birth certificates are issued in various sizes in different countries; therefore, the translator must be knowledgeable about these differences to correctly translate them for application in Dubai. In Dubai, a certified translation of a birth certificate guarantees that all information, including names, dates, and locations, is accurate.
5. Death Certificate
A death certificate must be translated and legalized if you are handling inheritance problems, insurance claims, or diplomatic formalities. This procedure entails translation, notarization, and attestation by MOFA or the appropriate embassy. A certified authenticated translation in Dubai or Abu Dhabi guarantees the document’s formal recognition for financial or legal purposes.
Step-by-Step Process: Translation, Attestation & Submission
Getting your personal documents accepted by the Dubai authorities involves a few straightforward steps. Here’s how the process typically works:
1. Accredited Translation
Hire a translator who is licensed by the UAE MOJ to stamp your document into Arabic.
2. Notarization
After translation, some documents may need to be notarized by a public notary.
3. Verification
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) or the consulate of your nation must confirm the document once it has been properly translated.
4. Submission
Lastly, they offer the translated and certified document to the proper officials (the ministry, the court, the ICA, or the MOJ).
Legal translation for personal documents becomes legally acceptable worldwide, including in Dubai, through a straightforward process of translation, attestation, and submission.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Legal Translation for Personal Documents
Due to a few simple mistakes, many people experience delays or rejections. Here are a few typical errors to be aware of:
- Making Use of Unlicensed Translators: Authorities only accept translations from MOJ-licensed translators in Dubai.
- Skipping MOFA Attestation: Even after translation, documents must be attested for official use.
- Mismatch in Names or Spellings: Ensure that your translated names and dates exactly match the original document.
- No Backup Copies: Always keep both hard and soft copies of your translated and attested documents.
You may save time, money, and needless stress by avoiding these translation errors in Dubai.
Selecting a Certified Legal Translation Service in Dubai
Choosing the best certified legal translation service in Dubai can significantly influence the success of your document procedure. Translating words into another language is only one component of legal translation. It involves making certain that each translated document is both legally acceptable and formally approved by the government.
When selecting a certified legal translation service in Dubai, here are some key points to consider:
1. MOJ Certification
Ensure the translator or translation company holds a license from Dubai’s Ministry of Justice (MOJ). Government agencies, courts, and embassies will accept the translated papers thanks to this certification.
2. Experience
Choose translators who have experience working with legal translation for personal documents, such as birth certificates, marriage contracts, divorce papers, educational degrees, or immigration files. Experienced professionals understand the legal terms and formatting requirements needed for approval.
3. Validity and Security
Your personal documents frequently contain sensitive information. Make sure the translation service adheres to stringent confidentiality and data protection guidelines to secure your information at all times.
4. Turnaround Time
Effectiveness is important. Seek services that allow you to submit and get translations both online and in person. Delivering precise results quickly without sacrificing quality should be possible for a licensed service in Dubai.
Licensed legal translators in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are trained to provide precise, reliable, and government-approved translations. Whether you are submitting papers for immigration, employment, or personal use, choosing a trusted translation service ensures that your documents meet official requirements and saves you time in the approval process.
How Much Does Certified Legal Translation Cost in Dubai?
In Dubai, the price of a certified legal translation varies based on several factors:
- Certificate Type: The complicated nature of birth, marriage, and educational certificates varies.
- Language Pair: Translation between Arabic and English is typically much cheaper than translation between less commonly spoken languages.
- Urgency: Same-day or urgent translations could be pricier.
Prices typically range from AED 60 to AED 150 per page; however, it’s preferable to obtain a quote before starting the attestation or submission process.
Final thoughts
It does not have to be challenging to get your legal translation for personal documents certified in Dubai. You may be sure that your documents, whether for visas, marriage, divorce, birth, or death, are correctly recognized by Dubai authorities by partnering with MOJ-approved translators.
Understand that translation alone is not sufficient. Let’s say you need a legal translation in Dubai. In that scenario, our group of certified translators in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is prepared to offer prompt, expert, and legally recognized translation services.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A certified translation is one completed by a Ministry of Justice-approved translator in Arabic and bearing the official stamp and signature.
You must first have it translated by an MOJ-certified translator, then have it notarized and attested by MOFA before submitting it for a visa or legal use.
No. UAE government only accepts translations done by licensed translators officially recognized by the Ministry of Justice.
Depending on the document type and language, translation usually takes 1 to 2 working days, while attestation may add another 2 to 3 days.
