What Is Certified Legal Translation?
Certified (or "official") legal translation is the translation of legal, government, and commercial documents by a translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice. The translated document carries the translator's official stamp and signature, making it legally recognized by:
- All UAE government ministries and authorities (MOHRE, DHA, KHDA, DED, courts)
- UAE federal and local courts
- Notary publics and legal offices
- UAE and foreign embassies
- Free zone authorities (DMCC, JAFZA, DAFZA, etc.)
- Banks and financial institutions
Standard translation services (freelance or online) are NOT accepted by UAE government authorities. Only Ministry of Justice-licensed translators are recognized for official submissions.
Documents We Translate
Legal & Court Documents
- Power of attorney (Arabic ↔ English)
- Court judgments and orders
- Legal affidavits and statutory declarations
- Contracts and agreements
- Wills, trust deeds, and inheritance documents
- Divorce decrees and custody orders
Government & Immigration Documents
- Passports and travel documents
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- UAE residence visas and Emirates ID information
- Police clearance certificates
- National identity documents
Business & Commercial Documents
- Memorandum of Association (MOA) and Articles of Association (AOA)
- Board resolutions and shareholder agreements
- Trade license translations
- Commercial contracts and purchase orders
- Financial statements and audit reports
- Tax registration certificates (TRN, VAT, CT)
Educational & Professional Documents
- University degrees and diplomas
- Transcripts and academic records
- Professional certifications and licences
- Medical and clinical reports
- Employment contracts and letters
Personal Documents
- Personal identity documents
- Family books and marriage contracts
- Medical records and prescriptions
- Insurance policies
- Bank statements (for visa applications)
Translation Turnaround Times
| Volume | Standard | Express |
|---|---|---|
| 1–5 pages | 48 hours | 24 hours |
| 6–20 pages | 3–4 days | 48 hours |
| 21–50 pages | 5–7 days | 3 days |
| 50+ pages | Custom quote | Available |
Express service is available at an additional fee. Contact us for same-day availability.
Language Pairs
Our primary specialization is Arabic–English (both directions), which covers the vast majority of UAE legal translation requirements.
We also handle:
- Arabic–Urdu / Urdu–Arabic
- Arabic–Hindi / Hindi–Arabic
- English–French / French–English (legal)
- Arabic–French (embassy submissions)
For other language pairs, contact us — we have a partner network of licensed specialist translators.
Bilingual Document Preparation
For documents that need to be simultaneously issued in both Arabic and English (MOA, employment contracts, court submissions), we offer bilingual drafting — preparing the document in both languages in parallel, ensuring legal consistency rather than word-for-word translation that may not capture the Arabic legal nuance.
Frequently Asked Questions
My document has already been translated abroad — can I use that translation in the UAE? Not for official UAE government purposes. A UAE Ministry of Justice-licensed translator must produce the translation (or certify an existing translation). We can review existing translations and certify/re-issue if appropriate.
Do you translate handwritten documents? Yes — handwritten Arabic and English documents are a significant portion of what we translate (family books, old certificates, court notes). Quality depends on legibility; we advise if text is too degraded to translate accurately.
Is the translation confidential? Yes — all documents are treated with strict confidentiality. We do not share, copy, or store your documents beyond what is required for the translation and any required attestation.
Can you translate and attest the same document? Yes — we offer a combined translation + attestation package. Many UAE visa and licensing applications require both: first translate the document, then attest both the original and the translation. We manage both steps seamlessly.
My MOA needs to be notarized in Arabic — can you draft the Arabic version? Yes — for Memoranda of Association, employment contracts, and similar legal documents, we draft the Arabic version in compliance with UAE legal standards, not just translate from English. This ensures the Arabic document is valid on its own terms.
Office 225, Oud Metha Offices, Dubai Healthcare City +971 50 380 7565 | support@hashmibusinessconsultant.com