Will Translation for ADJD — Non-Muslim Wills

MOJ-certified will translation in dual English-Arabic format for upload on the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department system. Covers non-Muslim will registration, amendments, and probate.

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The ADJD Non-Muslim Will Registration

Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 introduced a civil personal status framework for non-Muslims in the UAE. Under this law, non-Muslim residents can register wills through the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department that follow civil law principles rather than Sharia inheritance rules.

The ADJD system requires wills in dual format — English and Arabic on facing pages. Both versions must be consistent in content, terminology, and structure. The Arabic version requires MOJ certification before the system accepts the upload.

This matters because without a registered will, assets of non-Muslim expatriates may default to distribution rules they did not intend. Registering a will at ADJD protects your family, assets, and guardianship wishes.

Three Will Registries in the UAE

Aspect ADJD DIFC Wills ADGM Wills
Jurisdiction Abu Dhabi emirate Dubai Abu Dhabi (Al Maryah)
Legal system UAE civil law English common law English common law
Language required Arabic + English (dual) English English
MOJ translation needed Yes (Arabic side) No (English system) No (English system)
Non-Muslim eligibility Yes (Decree-Law 41/2022) Yes Yes
Covers guardianship Yes Yes Yes

If your assets are in Abu Dhabi, ADJD registration under the new civil personal status law is the most direct route. For Dubai assets, DIFC Wills remain the standard. We translate for all three registries.

What We Deliver

Dual-Format Translation

English and Arabic on facing pages, clause by clause, ready for ADJD upload

MOJ Certification

Arabic version carries MOJ stamp, signature, and License #701 from Arkan Legal Translation

Name Verification

Testator and beneficiary names cross-checked against passport and Emirates ID

Digital + Hard Copy

Certified PDF for immediate upload, plus printed originals for physical filing

Estate Terminology

Correct Arabic legal terms for testator, executor, beneficiary, guardian, and asset provisions

Confidential Handling

Senior translators only, encrypted file transfer, deletion on request

How It Works

1

Send Your Will

WhatsApp a photo or PDF of the will. We accept wills in any language.

2

Review and Quote

We confirm page count, language pair, and timeline. Fixed price, no surprises.

3

Translate and Certify

Dual-format translation with MOJ stamp on the Arabic version.

4

Deliver for Upload

Receive the formatted files ready for the ADJD online system.

What the Non-Muslim Will Covers

Under Decree-Law 41/2022, a non-Muslim will registered at ADJD can address:

  • • Distribution of UAE assets (property, bank accounts, investments)
  • • Nomination of an executor to administer the estate
  • • Guardianship provisions for minor children
  • • Business succession (company shares, trade licenses)
  • • Specific bequests to named beneficiaries
  • • Revocation of previous wills covering the same assets

Every provision must translate precisely into Arabic legal terminology. Ambiguous translations can lead to disputes between beneficiaries or rejection by the court at enforcement.

Common Scenarios

New will registration at ADJD

You draft a new will (or have a lawyer draft one) for your Abu Dhabi assets. We translate it into the required dual English-Arabic format and certify the Arabic side with our MOJ stamp. You upload both files to the ADJD portal.

Translating an existing foreign will

You already have a will from your home country (UK, India, Philippines, etc.) covering UAE assets. We translate it into Arabic for ADJD filing or probate proceedings. If the original is not in English, we produce both English and Arabic versions.

Probate after a death

A family member has passed away with assets in Abu Dhabi. The death certificate, existing will, and probate grant all need Arabic translation for ADJD court proceedings. We translate the full estate package.

Property and bank account inheritance

The Abu Dhabi Land Department and UAE banks require translated wills and probate documents before transferring property or releasing accounts. The dual-format translation we provide meets these requirements.

Related Services

Legal Translation

Contracts, court documents, corporate filings

Contract Translation

Lease, MOU, NDA, SPA

Court Documents

Judgments, arbitration awards

Death Certificate

For inheritance and probate

Marriage Certificate

To establish spouse rights

Birth Certificate

To establish heir relationships

Attestation Services

MOFA and embassy legalization

Translation Pricing

Fixed prices for certificates
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our translation services.

What is the ADJD non-Muslim will registration system?
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) operates a wills registry under Federal Decree-Law No. 41 of 2022 on Civil Personal Status for non-Muslims. Non-Muslim residents in Abu Dhabi can register wills that follow civil law principles, giving them testamentary freedom over their UAE assets. The will must be uploaded to the ADJD system in both Arabic and English.
Does the ADJD system require bilingual (English and Arabic) wills?
Yes. The ADJD online portal requires wills in dual format — English and Arabic side by side. The Arabic version must be MOJ-certified. We produce both versions formatted for direct upload to the ADJD system, ensuring consistent terminology across languages.
How is an ADJD will different from a DIFC or ADGM will?
ADJD wills cover Abu Dhabi emirate assets under UAE federal civil law. ADJD operates in Arabic. DIFC Wills follow English common law and cover Dubai assets. ADGM Wills follow English common law and cover Abu Dhabi assets. Each registry has different formatting, language, and filing requirements.
What documents do I need to register a non-Muslim will at ADJD?
You typically need: (1) the will in English and Arabic dual format, (2) valid Emirates ID, (3) passport copy, (4) marriage certificate translation if spouse is a beneficiary, (5) property ownership documents if applicable. ADJD may request additional documents depending on your estate.
Can you translate an existing will from another language for ADJD upload?
Yes. If you have an existing will in English, French, Hindi, Urdu, or any other language, we translate it into the required Arabic format. If the original is not in English, we produce both English and Arabic versions. All translations carry our MOJ stamp (License #701).
What does the dual-format will look like?
The dual-format will has English on one side and Arabic on the other, mirroring each clause. Testator details, beneficiary names, asset descriptions, executor appointments, and guardianship provisions are matched paragraph by paragraph. This format allows ADJD clerks to verify both versions at filing.
How long does will translation take?
Standard wills (5-15 pages) are completed within 24-48 hours. Complex wills with trusts, multiple schedules, or extensive asset lists take 3-5 business days. We confirm the exact timeline after reviewing your document via WhatsApp.
Is my will kept confidential?
Yes. Wills contain personal information about family relationships, asset details, and final wishes. Senior translators handle estate documents directly. Files use encrypted channels. We delete files upon request after delivery.
What happens if a beneficiary name is transliterated differently across documents?
Name consistency is critical. ADJD will reject filings where the testator or beneficiary name in the will does not match passport records exactly. We check transliterated names against your passport and Emirates ID to prevent mismatches that cause filing rejections.
Do you translate guardianship provisions for minor children?
Yes. Under the non-Muslim personal status law, you can nominate guardians for minor children in your will. We translate guardianship clauses with the correct Arabic legal terminology recognized by Abu Dhabi family courts. This is one of the most important provisions for expatriate parents.
Can I update a previously registered will at ADJD?
Yes. ADJD allows amendments and revocations. If you update your will, the new version must be translated into the same dual format and re-uploaded. We translate both the amendment and the restated will, with each carrying separate MOJ certification.
What are the related estate documents I might need translated?
Common companion documents include: death certificates (for probate), marriage certificates, birth certificates (to establish heir relationships), corporate documents (for business succession), and attestation of foreign documents.
Get Started

Need a Will Translated for ADJD?

Send your will via WhatsApp. We confirm the format, language pair, and timeline within 30 minutes during business hours.

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