Questions about translation and attestation in the UAE

Yes. Translations intended for court use are produced by translators licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice and carry the licence number, signature and stamp that registries check for.

No. Arabic is the language UAE authorities require, but we work in both directions and across more than 60 languages, including Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, Russian, Chinese, French and German.

Short documents such as a power of attorney are usually same or next day. Bundles of a hundred pages or more need a schedule, which we confirm in writing before starting.

Yes. We reproduce tables, clause numbering, stamps and signature blocks so the Arabic can be read against the source line by line.

A signed certificate of accuracy attached to the translation, naming the translator or agency and confirming the translation is complete and faithful to the original. We add the stamps and licence details the receiving authority expects.

For most certified translations a clear scan is enough. Legalisation and attestation are different — those usually require the physical original or a certified true copy.

Usually, though some countries add their own requirement such as a sworn translator registered locally. Tell us the destination country and we will confirm before you pay.

Yes. We retain your file and can issue additional certified copies without re-translating.

A stamp from the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation confirming that the preceding embassy or ministry signature on your document is genuine. It is the step that makes a foreign document usable inside the UAE.

No. The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so documents for use here go through full consular legalisation and MOFAIC attestation rather than a single apostille certificate.

The MOFAIC step itself is usually a matter of days. The earlier links in the chain — home-country authentication and UAE embassy legalisation abroad — are what determine the overall timeline, and they vary widely by country.

Yes, attestation is applied to the physical document. We issue a receipt, track the file and return it by courier or in person.

We routinely submit to the missions represented in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and use partner offices for UAE embassies overseas. Tell us the country and we will confirm current requirements and lead time.

Usually not. A number of missions do require the signatory to appear, particularly for powers of attorney. We tell you at the quoting stage whether your file is one of them.

In practice the words are used interchangeably in the UAE. Legalisation generally refers to the embassy or consulate stamp; attestation to the ministry stamps either side of it. A complete file usually needs both.

Consular fees are set by each mission and vary enormously by country and document type. We quote the government fee and our handling fee separately so you can see both.

No. The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so UAE-issued documents cannot be apostilled. They are legalised instead, through MOFAIC and then the destination country's embassy in the UAE.

Almost certainly, yes. It is a common misunderstanding. Documents for use in the UAE follow the consular legalisation route. Send us a scan and we will tell you the correct chain for your document and issuing country.

Around 130 contracting parties, and the list changes as states accede. Because accession and entry into force are separate dates, we check the current HCCH status table for your specific country rather than working from a stored list.

Yes. Through our international offices and partner network we obtain apostilles in the country of issue and courier the finished document wherever it is needed.

UAE immigration and labour authorities use attestation to confirm the qualification is genuine and was awarded by a recognised institution. Skilled-category work permits are generally not issued without it.

Often yes, through the successor institution, the national education ministry or a state archive. It takes longer, and we will tell you what evidence is available before you commit.

It depends on your profession and the licensing body involved. Equivalency is a separate application from attestation and we can handle both together.

Yes. Much of the chain happens in the issuing country anyway. We can begin before you arrive and complete the MOFAIC step once the document is here.

Most of Europe, the Americas, South and South East Asia, the Middle East and much of Africa, through our own offices and a partner network. Send us the details and we will confirm feasibility and timing before you commit.

Some registries require one, some accept a signed authorisation letter, and some will release records to any applicant. We tell you which at the outset and prepare the document if one is needed.

From a few days where a registry has an online service, to several months where records are held in paper archives. We give a realistic range up front rather than an optimistic one.

Yes, and it is usually cheaper and faster to instruct both together than to handle them as separate jobs.

More than 60, with Arabic, English, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, Russian, Chinese, French, German and Farsi available at short notice across the UAE.

Two to three working days for common language pairs, longer for conference work with equipment or for rarer languages. Urgent same-day requests are often possible — call rather than email.

Yes. Booths, consoles, receivers and an on-site technician can be supplied with the interpreting team as one booking.

Court and notary appointments generally require an interpreter licensed for that setting. Tell us the venue and we will assign someone who can appear.