Last updated: 11 August 2026
You need MOJ-certified translation whenever a document written in a language other than Arabic has to be read, relied on or filed by a UAE court, ministry, notary, embassy or licensing authority. If the receiving party is a UAE government body, assume certification is required until they tell you otherwise.
Rule of thumb: private use — no certification needed. Official use — certification required. The dividing line is not the document type; it is who receives it.
The situations that always require it
1. Anything filed at a court
Arabic is the official language of UAE courts under Federal Decree-Law No. 42 of 2022. Claims, evidence bundles, contracts relied on as proof, foreign judgments and affidavits all need certified Arabic. See court document translation.
2. Rental disputes at the RDC
Tenancy contracts, notices, payment records and correspondence submitted to the Rental Disputes Center must be in Arabic. A contract signed only in English is still enforceable, but it cannot be filed as-is.
3. Company formation and licensing
Memoranda of association, shareholder resolutions, board decisions and parent-company documents for DED, DMCC, JAFZA and other authorities. See corporate and commercial translation.
4. Residency, family and personal status
Birth, marriage, divorce, death and police clearance certificates issued abroad. See certificate translation.
5. Notarisation
A UAE notary will normally require an Arabic version before attesting a foreign-language power of attorney, declaration or agreement.
6. Professional and academic licensing
Degree certificates and transcripts for DHA, KHDA, MOHRE and professional bodies. Each authority has its own acceptance rules — tell your translator which one is receiving the file.
When you probably do not need it
- Internal company documents circulated only inside your own business.
- Marketing material, websites and correspondence with private counterparties.
- Documents going to a foreign authority that has its own certification rules — check theirs first.
The order of operations most people get wrong
For a document issued outside the UAE the usual sequence is: notarisation in the issuing country → authentication by that country’s foreign ministry → UAE embassy attestation → MOFA attestation in the UAE → certified Arabic translation.
Why the order matters: attestation stamps added after translation are not covered by the translation. The document then goes back for a second translation, at your cost.
What to tell your translator
| Tell them | Why it changes the work |
|---|---|
| The receiving authority | Terminology and formatting differ between courts, DHA and free zones |
| Your passport name spelling | The translation must match the passport, not the phonetic spelling |
| Your deadline | Determines whether same-day handling is needed |
| Whether it is already attested | Decides whether translation happens now or after attestation |
Not sure whether your document needs certification?
Send us a photo and tell us which authority will receive it. We will tell you what is required — and if you do not need certification, we will say so.
Related reading: what certified legal translation means under UAE law · documents and requirements · certified legal translation in Dubai.
