Legal translation into Arabic: when it is needed and who may do it

Arabic is the official language of UAE courts and many authorities. A document in another language (Persian, for example) usually needs a legal translation into Arabic when it is submitted to courts, the Ministry of Justice or notary public, the land department, or when an authority specifically asks for Arabic. For MOFA attestation and many visa services, Arabic or English is accepted; a Persian-only document needs a certified translation.

Who may translate: under Federal Law No. 6 of 2012 on the translation profession and its executive regulation (Cabinet Resolution No. 7 of 2014), legal translation may be done only by a translator registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice and licensed in the emirate. The translation carries the translator's stamp, signature and registration number. The Ministry of Justice runs the translator register (moj.gov.ae). The Ministry registers a legal translator after checking the qualification and experience, and issues a translator card.

Typical documents: marriage and divorce certificates, birth certificates, powers of attorney, court judgments, contracts and company documents, police clearances.

Practical points: - Translate the whole document, including stamps and attestation marks. - For foreign documents, complete the attestation chain first, then translate, unless the authority says otherwise. - Names must match the passport spelling exactly; give the translator your passport copy. - Keep the original; authorities check translations against it.

What to do: tell us which authority will receive the document; we confirm whether Arabic is required and arrange a licensed legal translator.