01
Where can I find a translator?
You can search for Ministry of Justice licensed translators using the official registry on the
UAE Ministry of Justice website
.
Sworn translation standardVerified June 2026
United Arab Emirates Document Translation Requirements
Need your Emirati document translated for the U.S. — or a U.S. document accepted in the United Arab Emirates? Start with the direction: the translation, certification, and apostille rules are not the same.
USCIS accepted formatWES-ready package
Signed & stamped Certificate of AccuracyComplete, word-for-word translationExact structure preserved
Requirements reviewed by Tariq Al-Hassan
Middle Eastern Legal & Academic Translator · Last verified June 2026
Verified requirements summary
Reviewed June 2026 · Tariq Al-Hassan
United Arab Emirates document translation requirements — the short answer
The United Arab Emirates follows the sworn translation standard for official documents. Translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice. Foreign documents generally require legalisation before translation.
- 01Submitting in United Arab Emirates
- The United Arab Emirates follows the sworn translation standard. Translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice.
- 02Submitting in the United States
- Use a complete English translation with a signed Certificate of Accuracy for USCIS, universities, and credential evaluators. Cover every visible field, seal, stamp, signature, and note.
- 03Apostille
- Foreign documents generally require legalisation before translation
Confirm final requirements with the authority receiving the document.
Need a certified Arabic → English translation?
From $24.95/page · signed certification included
Quick reference
What are United Arab Emirates's document translation requirements?
Confirm final requirements with the authority receiving the document.
| Translation standard | Sworn translation (Sworn/Licensed) |
|---|---|
| Who can translate | Translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice |
| Apostille | Foreign documents generally require legalisation before translation |
| Accepted languages | Arabic (official language) |
| Responsible authority | Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (MOFAIC) |
Important: Only translators licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice (MOJ) may provide official
legal translations for use in Dubai and throughout the UAE.
Official-use requirements
How do document translation rules work in the United Arab Emirates?
The local certification system, who may translate, and what gives the finished document legal effect.
02
Who can translate documents for use in the United Arab Emirates?
In the UAE, legal and official translations must be completed by a translator who holds
a valid licence issued by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).
These licensed translators are authorised to produce translations for courts,
government departments, immigration authorities, free zones, and other official entities.
03
What makes a translation official in the United Arab Emirates?
An official translation must include:
The translator’s official stamp
Licence number issued by the Ministry of Justice
The translator’s signature
A statement confirming that the translation is accurate
Official translations are commonly produced in Arabic, though bilingual Arabic/English versions
may be provided depending on the requesting authority.
04
How does the United Arab Emirates treat documents from abroad?
Foreign public documents generally require legalisation before translation and official use in the UAE.
This usually involves:
Authentication in the country of origin (if applicable)
Legalisation by the UAE embassy/consulate
Final legalisation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation (MOFAIC)
After legalisation, the document must be translated by a licensed UAE translator to be accepted by
government authorities.
05
Notes
Unlike jurisdictions that accept certified translations from abroad, the UAE typically requires translations
to be produced or re-validated by a Ministry of Justice licensed translator for official acceptance.
Need the Arabic translation service rather than the rules?
Continue to the language hub or choose the exact document you have.
Two directions, two rulebooks
Which direction are your documents going?
Choose the destination first. It determines the language, certification, and whether an apostille belongs in the packet.
Arabic → English
Translating Arabic documents for the U.S.?
Emirati birth certificates, diplomas, transcripts, and other non-English records need a complete certified English translation for USCIS, U.S. universities, and credential evaluators.
- Every field, seal, stamp, and annotation
- Signed Certificate of Accuracy
- Most 1–3 page orders in 24 hours
U.S. → United Arab Emirates
Sending U.S. documents to the United Arab Emirates?
Requirements depend on the receiving country and authority. Confirm whether the original needs an apostille or consular legalization before it is translated.
Sequence matters: when the original needs an apostille, obtain it before translation so the complete packet can be translated together.
United Arab Emirates document guide
Which Emirati documents are covered by these requirements?
Choose the document you have for its format-specific translation guidance. These links cover the records most often submitted from United Arab Emirates to USCIS, universities, and credential evaluators.
USCIS accepted formatWES requirements includedSigned & stamped certificate
Birth certificate
arشهادة الميلاد
Arabic birth certificate translation is among the highest-volume requests for USCIS filings, especially in family petitions and adjustment of status cases.
Signed & stamped Certificate of Accuracy
Word-for-word · exact structure preserved
شهادة التخرج · الشهادة الجامعية
Diploma and degree certificate
Arabic diploma translation is often required for admissions, licensing, and employment verification.
Signed & stamped Certificate of Accuracy
Word-for-word · exact structure preserved
كشف الدرجات
Academic transcript
Transcripts require line-level accuracy for course names, grading scale language, and signatures.
Signed & stamped Certificate of Accuracy
Word-for-word · exact structure preserved
Other Arabic Documents — $24.95 / page
Marriage certificate
عقد الزواج
Divorce document
وثائق الطلاق · حكم الطلاق
Passport and identity records
جواز السفر · بطاقة الهوية
Court and civil status documents
وثائق المحكمة
Medical Records
→
Arabic records reviewed by Tariq Al-Hassan — Arabic & French translator
Real casework
Real Arabic translation cases we've handled
Anonymized Arabic-to-English orders. Each case shows the exact translation problem and how we solved it for the receiving authority.
- Jun 2026Country-Specific Document ConventionsEgypt
When the Number on an Egyptian Birth Record IS the National ID
An Egyptian Copy of Birth Record (صورة قيد الميلاد) carried a prominent 14-digit number under the title that is easily misread as a reference code. It is the bearer's Egyptian National ID (الرقم القومي), and its digits structurally encode her date of birth, governorate of registration, and gender. We labeled the field correctly and added a Translator's Note explaining the encoding for the client's USCIS filing.
Handled by Tariq Al-Hassan, Middle Eastern Legal & Academic TranslatorUSCISRead case → - Jun 2026Document LegibilitySaudi Arabia
When a Handwritten Saudi Birth Certificate Is Too Degraded to Certify
A handwritten Saudi Arabian birth certificate (شهادة ميلاد) from the Ministry of Health was submitted as a low-contrast multi-generation photocopy in which the mother's name, both parents' civil-register and passport numbers, the place of birth, the parents' occupations, the registration date written in Arabic words, and the issuing office could not be reliably read. After a clarification request did not produce either a higher-quality original or written confirmation of the unreadable values, we declined the order, refunded the client in full, and directed them to request a freshly issued certified extract from the Saudi civil-status office before resubmitting for USCIS.
Handled by Tariq Al-Hassan, Middle Eastern Legal & Academic TranslatorUSCISRead case → 
May 2026Multi-Language & Bilingual DocumentsLebanonWhen a Lebanese School Report Lists Disciplines in Both Arabic and French
A Lebanese school report card from Collège de La Sagesse (Baabda) listed disciplines in two scripts on the same grade table: Arabic-script entries for Arabic Language, Civic Education, History, and Geography (taught under the Lebanese national curriculum), alongside French-script entries for French, English, Mathematics, the sciences, and Physical Education (taught under the French curriculum). Each subject had its own coefficient and grade. We translated every discipline into English, kept the Arabic original in brackets after each Arabic-script subject name, and preserved the French grade-level designations as credentials of the French educational system.
Handled by Tariq Al-Hassan, Middle Eastern Legal & Academic TranslatorCredential evaluator (NACES member)Read case →
Questions people ask before submitting
What should I know about United Arab Emirates document translation requirements?
What type of translation does the United Arab Emirates require?
The United Arab Emirates follows the sworn translation standard for official documents. Translations should be completed by: translator licensed by the uae ministry of justice.
Is an apostille required for foreign documents in the United Arab Emirates?
Foreign documents generally require legalisation before translation
What languages do Emirati authorities accept?
Official authorities in United Arab Emirates accept documents in: Arabic (official language). Documents in any other language need a sworn translation before submission.
Can CertTranslate help with documents for the United Arab Emirates?
If you are submitting Emirati documents to U.S. authorities (USCIS, universities, credential evaluators), yes — our certified translations are accepted nationwide. For official use inside United Arab Emirates, authorities usually require a translator sworn or registered locally — use the official registry linked on this page. We can also advise on apostille requirements for U.S.-issued documents.
Official sources
- UAE Ministry of Justice – Licensed TranslatorsOfficial guidelines
Information verified against official sources. Last verified June 2026.