Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about legal translation, document attestation, notary public services, rental dispute cases, and newspaper announcements in Dubai — answered by Taw-Theeq’s team with 18+ years of experience.

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Legal Translation — Frequently Asked Questions

MOJ-certified translation, languages, pricing, turnaround

MOJ-certified translation is translation performed by a translator officially licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice. It is the only type of translation accepted by UAE courts, MOFA, government departments, embassies, and all official UAE institutions. Translations from online services, freelancers, or bilingual individuals — regardless of accuracy — are rejected. All translations at Taw-Theeq are done by in-house MOJ-licensed translators with no outsourcing.
Legal translation at Taw-Theeq starts from AED 60 per page for certificates and licences (birth, marriage, degree, driving licence). Corporate and court documents start from AED 100 per page. Urgent same-day service is available at a higher rate. All prices are confirmed upfront before you commit — free quote on WhatsApp to +971 54 526 6500 within 1 hour. See our full pricing page at taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/legal-translation/legal-translation-costs/
Standard single-page documents are completed within 4 to 6 hours. Multi-page or complex documents take 1 to 2 business days. Same-day urgent service is available — send your document by WhatsApp before 12PM for same-day delivery. See our full turnaround guide at taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/legal-translation/translation-processing-time/
Taw-Theeq provides MOJ-certified translation in 75+ languages. Most common: English ↔ Arabic, Urdu ↔ Arabic, Hindi ↔ Arabic, Filipino/Tagalog ↔ Arabic, Bengali ↔ Arabic, Nepali ↔ Arabic, Russian ↔ Arabic, Chinese ↔ Arabic, French ↔ Arabic, German ↔ Arabic, Spanish ↔ Arabic. All translations are done in-house by MOJ-licensed translators. See the full language list at taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/legal-translation/translation-by-language/
Taw-Theeq translates all legal document types — birth, marriage, death, divorce, and degree certificates; driving and trade licences; powers of attorney; court documents and judgments; contracts and agreements; memoranda of association; medical reports; tenancy contracts; affidavits; and all corporate and commercial documents. Each document type has its own dedicated service page on our website.
Always after attestation — never before. MOFA and UAE Embassy stamp the original document in its source language. If you translate first and submit the translated copy for attestation, it will be rejected. The correct sequence is: home country authentication → UAE Embassy attestation → MOFA attestation → MOJ-certified Arabic translation. Taw-Theeq always follows the correct order when handling both services.
For an initial quote, you can send a photo or PDF of your document via WhatsApp. For the official MOJ-certified hard copy with stamp — which most UAE authorities require — the original document should be brought to our Creek Tower office. Soft copy translations can be sent by WhatsApp in some cases. We confirm the exact requirement for your authority when you contact us.
Requirements vary by authority. GDRFA (visa) requires Arabic translation of all foreign certificates. KHDA (schools) requires Arabic-translated birth certificates. Dubai Courts require Arabic translation of all foreign documents submitted as evidence. MOFA requires translation after attestation. DHA, DED, and other authorities have their own requirements. See our full requirements guide at taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/legal-translation/translation-requirements/
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Document Attestation — Frequently Asked Questions

MOFA, UAE Embassy, certificate attestation, process and timelines

Document attestation is the official verification that a document is genuine and legally recognised by the relevant UAE authorities. UAE government departments, courts, visa authorities, and schools only accept attested documents — an unattested foreign document has no legal standing in the UAE, regardless of how authentic it is. Attestation confirms the issuing authority is legitimate and the document has not been altered.
UAE Embassy attestation is performed in the country that issued the document — by the UAE Embassy or Consulate located there — before the document enters the UAE. MOFA attestation is the final official step performed in Dubai after UAE Embassy attestation. For foreign documents used in the UAE, both are typically required in sequence: UAE Embassy first, then MOFA in Dubai. For UAE-issued documents used abroad, only MOFA attestation in Dubai is required.
The most commonly attested documents in Dubai are birth certificates (for UAE family visa, school enrollment), marriage certificates (for spouse visa, family court), degree certificates (for UAE employment visa, DHA/HAAD professional licence), death certificates (for inheritance, insurance), and commercial documents (for DED, free zone company registration, bank account opening). Each document type has a specific attestation chain.
The MOFA attestation step in Dubai typically takes 1 to 3 business days. UAE Embassy attestation in the home country varies: India 5 to 10 days, Pakistan 5 to 7 days, Philippines 3 to 5 days. The full chain from home country to MOFA-attested and translated typically takes 1 to 3 weeks depending on the country. Taw-Theeq confirms the exact timeline for your document and country when you contact us.
No. Each certificate type has a different attestation chain. A birth certificate from India requires state-level and MEA authentication before UAE Embassy. A degree certificate also needs HRD authentication. A medical certificate may not need UAE Embassy attestation at all. A commercial document needs notarization and a different authentication path. Taw-Theeq confirms the exact chain for your specific document type and country — free of charge. See taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/document-attestation/attestation-by-document-type/
Yes. Taw-Theeq handles the complete chain in-house — UAE Embassy coordination, MOFA attestation in Dubai, and MOJ-certified Arabic translation — in the correct sequence. You do not need to coordinate multiple providers or worry about the order. WhatsApp us your document to start.
Attestation costs vary by document type, country of origin, and whether UAE Embassy coordination is required. Taw-Theeq provides a transparent quote covering the full chain — MOFA fees, Embassy fees, and our service fee — before you commit. WhatsApp us your document and country for a free quote within 1 hour.
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Notary Public — Frequently Asked Questions

POA, contracts, affidavits, what to bring, process

A notary public in Dubai is an officially appointed legal officer who verifies the identity of document signatories, witnesses the signing of legal documents, and certifies that the documents are genuine and legally executed. Notarized documents carry official legal standing before UAE courts, government departments, MOFA, embassies, and international institutions. Notarization is different from translation — it certifies the execution of a document, not its language.
Taw-Theeq notarizes powers of attorney (general and special), contracts and agreements (business, employment, lease, sale and purchase), affidavits and statutory declarations, commercial documents (MOA, shareholder agreements, board resolutions), property-related documents for DLD, personal and family documents (consent letters, guardianship, declarations), and court-required sworn statements.
No. Documents must not be signed before your visit. Signing must take place in the physical presence of the notary — this is what gives the notarization its legal validity. Arriving with a pre-signed document means it cannot be notarized and must be re-executed. WhatsApp us before your visit and we confirm exactly how to prepare.
All signing parties must bring: the original document (unsigned), and a valid Emirates ID or passport. Additional documents may be required depending on document type — trade licence for commercial POAs, title deed for property POAs, birth certificate for child consent letters, marriage certificate for spousal declarations. WhatsApp us your document type before visiting and we confirm exactly what to bring to complete in a single visit.
For documents intended for use abroad — particularly powers of attorney — MOFA attestation after notarization is required. If the document is in a language other than Arabic and will be submitted to UAE courts or government authorities, an MOJ-certified Arabic translation is also required. Taw-Theeq provides both in-house — notarization, MOFA attestation, and MOJ translation in the correct sequence, same visit. See taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/notary-public/
Most document notarizations are completed on the same day. Simple documents such as consent letters and standard POAs can often be completed within a few hours. Complex multi-party commercial agreements may require preparation time. WhatsApp us your document type before visiting and we confirm the exact time and whether an appointment is needed.
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Rental Dispute Center (RDC) — Frequently Asked Questions

Case filing, costs, timelines, landlord and tenant rights in Dubai

The Rental Disputes Center (RDC) is the official judicial authority in Dubai responsible for resolving disputes between landlords and tenants. It operates under the Dubai Land Department (DLD). The RDC handles cases involving non-payment of rent, illegal eviction, unlawful rent increases, security deposit disputes, tenancy contract termination, and lease breaches. All rental disputes in Dubai must be filed with the RDC — they cannot be taken directly to a civil court.
To file a rental dispute case at the RDC: first serve a formal legal notice on the other party (30 days notice for non-payment cases), then file your case through the RDC online portal or in person at the RDC centre with all supporting documents — tenancy contract, RERA/Ejari registration, correspondence, and evidence. Taw-Theeq prepares your complete case file, legal notices, and manages the RDC process on your behalf. See taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/rdc/case-filing/
RDC filing fees are calculated as a percentage of the annual rent value — typically 3.5% of the annual rent, with a minimum fee of AED 500 and a maximum of AED 20,000. Additional fees apply for expert valuations, appeal filings, and execution proceedings. Taw-Theeq provides a full cost estimate including our service fee before you commit. See taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/rdc/fees-and-costs/
The RDC begins with a conciliation stage — in Q2 2025, the average settlement time was 6 days. If conciliation fails, the case proceeds to adjudication which typically takes 1 to 3 months depending on complexity and whether the judgment is appealed. Non-payment and eviction cases with strong documentation are often resolved faster. Taw-Theeq advises on realistic timelines for your specific case.
No. In Dubai, a landlord cannot evict a tenant without an official eviction order from the RDC. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, cutting utilities — is illegal under Dubai tenancy law and the landlord can be held liable. A formal eviction notice must first be served, then an RDC case filed if the tenant does not vacate. Taw-Theeq handles eviction case filing and RDC proceedings for landlords. See taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/rdc/landlord/eviction-case/
No. Rent increases in Dubai are governed by the RERA Smart Rental Index (replaced the static calculator in January 2025). A landlord can only increase rent if the current rent is below the RERA index benchmark for the property, and only by the percentage permitted by the index. Rent increases also require 90 days written notice before the lease renewal date. If a landlord demands an illegal rent increase, the tenant can file a dispute at the RDC. See taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/rdc/tenant-rights/rent-increase-dispute/
Standard documents required for RDC case filing include: signed tenancy contract, RERA/Ejari registration certificate, Emirates ID or passport copies of both parties, evidence of the dispute (bounced cheques, correspondence, rent receipts), proof of legal notice served, and property title deed (for landlords). Additional documents may be required depending on case type. See the full list at taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/rdc/documents-required/
If a tenant fails to pay rent, the landlord must first serve a 30-day formal legal notice demanding payment. If the tenant does not pay within 30 days, the landlord can file a case at the RDC for non-payment of rent and/or eviction. The RDC can issue a judgment for the unpaid rent amount and an eviction order. Taw-Theeq handles the legal notice drafting, RDC filing, and full case management. See taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/rdc/landlord/non-payment-rent/
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Newspaper Legal Announcements — Frequently Asked Questions

Liquidation notices, lost documents, name changes, court notices

A legal newspaper announcement is an official public notice published in a UAE-licensed newspaper or the official gazette as required by UAE law. It gives affected third parties — such as creditors, business partners, or interested individuals — the opportunity to raise objections before a legal process is finalised. Common types include company liquidation notices, lost document declarations, name change announcements, and court-ordered public notices. Without publication, the underlying legal process is not complete.
A newspaper announcement is required in the UAE for: company liquidation and dissolution (DED mainland and free zones), lost or damaged Emirates ID or passport declarations, personal or company name changes, lost share certificate notices, court-ordered service of process when a party cannot be located, and certain inheritance and estate proceedings. Each situation has specific requirements regarding publication type, language, and number of runs.
The required newspaper depends on your announcement type and the relevant authority. DED mainland companies typically require the UAE Official Gazette plus an Arabic daily newspaper. DMCC and other free zones specify their own approved newspapers. Court-ordered notices specify the required publication in the court order. Taw-Theeq confirms the exact correct publication for your situation before any cost is incurred — WhatsApp us the announcement type and authority. See taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/newspaper-announcement/
Publication run requirements vary. Lost document declarations typically require one publication. DED mainland company liquidation notices often require two consecutive publications. DMCC typically requires two publications. Court-ordered notices specify the number of runs in the court order. Taw-Theeq confirms the exact number of runs required for your specific case.
Most announcements are published within 1 to 3 business days after the draft is approved and fees are paid. After publication, Taw-Theeq provides the official published newspaper clipping with the publication date and edition details. This is the proof of notice required by the relevant authority — DED, free zone, court, or ICA — to complete your legal process.
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General & Office — Frequently Asked Questions

Location, hours, contact, payments, about Taw-Theeq

Taw-Theeq Corporate Services and Legal Translation LLC is located at Creek Tower, Floor G, Office 012, Riggat Al Buteen, Deira, Dubai. We are conveniently located near the Rental Disputes Center (RDC) and easily accessible from all areas of Dubai. See our full contact details and map at taw-theeq.com/contact-us/
Taw-Theeq is open Monday to Friday, 8:30AM to 5:00PM. We are closed on weekends and UAE public holidays. For quotes and enquiries outside office hours, you can WhatsApp us at +971 54 526 6500 — we respond to WhatsApp messages as promptly as possible.
The fastest way to get a quote is to WhatsApp a photo or description of your document to +971 54 526 6500. Tell us what the document is, what language it needs to be translated to, and what authority you are submitting it to. We respond with a confirmed price and turnaround within 1 business hour — Monday to Friday, 8:30AM to 5PM. You can also call us or email info@taw-theeq.com.
Taw-Theeq provides five core legal services in Dubai: (1) MOJ-certified legal translation in 75+ languages, (2) document attestation — MOFA and UAE Embassy, (3) notary public services, (4) rental dispute center (RDC) case filing and management, and (5) official newspaper legal announcements. All services are available in-house at our Creek Tower office. See the full service overview at taw-theeq.com/legal-services-dubai/
Taw-Theeq Corporate Services and Legal Translation LLC has been established in Dubai since 2008 — over 18 years of experience serving all 200+ nationalities across every community in Dubai. We have handled 1,000+ legal translation assignments and 1,000+ rental dispute cases, maintaining a zero rejection record on MOJ-certified translations.
Yes. This is one of Taw-Theeq’s key advantages. We handle the complete document chain in-house — notarization, UAE Embassy coordination, MOFA attestation, and MOJ-certified translation — in the correct order, under one roof. You do not need to coordinate multiple providers or worry about sequencing. WhatsApp us your document and situation and we manage the complete process.

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Legal translation • Document attestation • Notary public • RDC rental dispute • Newspaper announcements — all in-house at Creek Tower, Deira, Dubai.

📍 Creek Tower, Floor G, Office 012 — Riggat Al Buteen, Dubai  •  Mon–Fri 8:30AM–5PM