MOJ vs Certified Translation: Which One Do You Need?
| Type | What It Means in the UAE | Typically Accepted By | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOJ Legal Translation | Stamp + signature of an MOJ-approved legal translator | Government, courts, ministries, strict entities | Official documents, immigration requiring MOJ, legal contracts for filing |
| Company-Stamped Certified | Stamp of a translation company (agency certification) | HR, banks, private companies, internal workflows | Cost-sensitive cases where MOJ is not required |
Why the Difference Matters (Cost + Acceptance)
Choosing the right translation service matters for two reasons:
1. Price
In many cases, company-stamped certified translation is 40–50% cheaper than MOJ legal translation.
2. Acceptance
A "certified translation" might be perfect for one place and rejected by another—because the receiving party decides what they accept.
Which One Should You Pick?
Use this simple rule:
Choose Company-Stamped Certified If:
- You're submitting to HR departments or general company compliance
- A bank, employer, or private organization wants a certified translation but does not specifically say "MOJ"
- You need a fast, professional document translation for practical use inside the UAE
- You want a lower-cost option and acceptance requirements are flexible
Choose MOJ Legal Translation If:
- The receiving party explicitly requests legal translation, MOJ translation, or Ministry of Justice approved
- You need MOJ attestation/verification steps after translation
- The matter involves notary public requirements or strict government processes
- Some educational entities (especially in Abu Dhabi) insist on MOJ-stamped translation
If you're unsure, the safest move is simple: ask the receiving party which stamp they require (MOJ translator stamp or translation company stamp). That one question saves time and avoids rejection.
What People Usually Mean by Different Terms
Clients often hear different terms depending on the country, embassy, or clerk:
When someone says "certified," your follow-up should be: "Do you need an MOJ translator stamp, or is a translation company stamp enough?"
Documents That Usually Need Official Translation
If it's an important document used for legal, immigration, or government processes, it often requires official translation—especially when the source and target language differ.
Personal Documents
- Marriage certificates
- Birth certificates
- Divorce certificates
- Diplomas & transcripts
- Training certificates
Where "Attestation" Fits
Two things get mixed up all the time:
Translation
Converting the content into the target language accurately and completely.
Attestation / Legalization
Confirming the original document is authentic for official use (often through MOFA, embassy, or other steps).
Sometimes you need only translation. Sometimes you need attestation first, then translation, then additional authentication steps—depending on the document type, where it was issued, and the government agency / embassy / portal you're submitting to.
The UAE is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Documents from Hague member countries still require the full attestation chain (embassy + MOFA) for use in UAE.