Why Arabic matters
Arabic is the official language of the UAE, and courts, notaries, ministries and most government departments work in it, with the English-language courts of the DIFC and ADGM financial free zones being the main exception. If your contract, certificate or power of attorney is written in another language, these authorities will usually accept it only with a legal translation into Arabic. A legal translation is more than a good translation: it is prepared, stamped and signed by a translator holding a Ministry of Justice licence, and it carries legal weight.
When an Arabic translation is required
You will normally need a certified Arabic version whenever a foreign-language document goes to a UAE authority or is relied on in a legal process. Common examples include the following.
- Court cases, including contracts, evidence and foreign judgments
- Powers of attorney signed abroad or drafted only in English
- Civil records from overseas, such as birth, marriage or death certificates
- Degree certificates and transcripts for equivalency or employment
- Company papers for setting up a business or branch, such as articles and board resolutions
- Tenancy and other civil contracts presented to a government office
When you need English instead
Translation also runs the other way. Because UAE documents are issued in Arabic, you may need an English version when you deal with banks, free zones or international companies that work in English, or when you send papers abroad. Foreign universities, employers, embassies and immigration offices often ask for a certified English translation, sometimes with extra attestation, and a UAE bank may want one for an Arabic court ruling or contract.
What makes a translation legally valid
Authorities look for more than accurate wording. A translation without the right credentials is usually treated as unofficial and turned away.
- Prepared by a legal translator listed on the Ministry of Justice’s register
- Stamped and signed by that translator or the licensed office
- Faithful to the original, with nothing added, dropped or reinterpreted
- Uses the correct legal terms recognized in UAE law
- Covers every part of the document, including stamps and handwritten notes
- Handled in confidence, since legal papers often hold sensitive data
How the process works
Getting a legal translation is usually simple once you have the right papers. The time needed depends on the length and complexity of the documents, and faster options are often available. Hand over the complete document, as missing pages or annexes can leave you with a translation that an authority refuses.
- Give the original, or a clear copy, to a licensed legal translation office
- The translator prepares the Arabic or English version
- The text is checked for language and legal accuracy
- The translator stamps and signs the finished translation
- You collect a printed copy or receive it electronically
Translation and attestation together
A document issued outside the UAE usually has to be attested in its home country, legalized by the UAE embassy there and attested again by the foreign affairs ministry in the UAE before it can be used here. Translation is commonly done once attestation is finished, so that the stamps and endorsements appear in the Arabic version too. For papers leaving the UAE, the receiving country may in turn want foreign affairs attestation and embassy legalization, so check what the destination expects.
Tips to avoid rejection
Most problems with translations are easy to prevent. Before you submit anything, run through these checks.
- Verify the translator’s licence through the Ministry of Justice’s online system
- Make sure names are spelt exactly as in your passport
- Ask whether the receiving authority wants a printed or electronic copy
- Complete any attestation before translating
- Submit the original and the translation together
- Avoid informal or machine translations for official use
How we can help
If your POA or supporting documents need translating, our team can arrange a certified legal translation. We will also make sure it fits the notarization or attestation steps that follow.