Accredited Translation Services UAE — MOJ License #701
MOJ-Licensed, Court-Accepted, Ministry-Ready
MOJ-certified translator Khaled Mohamed Abdeltawab Aladl (License #701) · Digital draft in 60 minutes · Pre-screened against authority requirements
Accredited translation in the UAE has one operational meaning at the counter. A translator registered with the Ministry of Justice produces the translation. Every page carries that translator’s personal licence stamp and signature. Every translation on this page is signed by Khaled Mohamed Abdeltawab Aladl under MOJ Licence #701 and stamped by Arkan Legal Translation. Dubai Courts, ADJD, DIFC, GDRFA, MOHRE, and MOFA all verify that same accreditation mark on submission. Foreign embassies in the UAE apply the same check.
Accredited, Certified, Sworn, Notarised: What Actually Differs in the UAE
Four phrases travel together in translation procurement, and residents searching in English often use them interchangeably. At a UAE counter the distinction matters, because the accepting authority checks the stamp type before anything else.
| Translation tier | Who stamps it | Where it is accepted in the UAE |
|---|---|---|
| MOJ-accredited translation | A translator on the UAE Ministry of Justice register. Stamp carries licence number + translator name | Dubai Courts, ADJD, DIFC, ADGM, GDRFA, ICA, MOHRE, MOFA, DHA, KHDA, foreign embassies |
| Company-stamped certified translation | Translation agency under its trade licence | HR departments, many banks, private employers, internal case prep |
| Sworn translation (foreign) | A translator who has taken an oath before a foreign court or ministry | Home jurisdiction only. Generally not accepted at UAE counters until re-translated or re-certified under MOJ |
| Notarised translation | A notary witnesses the translator’s signature on the translation | Used for some cross-border filings. By itself it does not add UAE legal weight without the MOJ stamp |
A useful rule: phrases like “accredited translation”, “legal translation”, “MOJ translation”, or “certified by Ministry of Justice” all point to the top row. When the receiving party writes “certified translation” without qualifying it, ask them which they mean. Keep a company-stamped tier on the table for cost-sensitive files.
What MOJ Accreditation Actually Is
The Ministry of Justice licences individual translators, not companies. Each licence carries a unique registration number. A government clerk or court officer verifies that number when a translation is presented. Arkan Legal Translation is the licensed firm; Khaled holds the personal translator licence under number 701. The MOJ hotline (800 333333) confirms any translator licence over the phone. Many receiving authorities call to verify when a document is on the line for a case or a visa file.
Accreditation is renewed annually and depends on active compliance with Ministry rules. Those rules cover legal terminology standards, confidentiality obligations, accuracy liability, and personal attendance at MOJ review when called. A lapsed licence invalidates any translation issued under it. We display the active status on every stamped page. The UAE Ministry of Justice translator register is the public source of truth.
Where Accredited Translation Is Required
Every UAE authority that accepts foreign-language documents enforces the MOJ accreditation rule in some form. The matrix below shows the common submission routes.
| Authority | Document types it accepts | Typical tier requested |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Courts | Court filings, contracts, POAs, foreign judgments | MOJ-accredited Arabic translation, stamp on every page |
| Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) | Same as Dubai Courts, ADJD formatting rules | MOJ-accredited Arabic translation, ADJD layout |
| DIFC Courts / ADGM | Common-law filings, arbitration awards | MOJ-accredited English translation accepted |
| GDRFA (visa, residency) | Birth, marriage, police clearance, divorce | MOJ-accredited Arabic translation, full attestation usually required first |
| MOHRE (work permits) | Degrees, professional certifications, experience letters | MOJ-accredited Arabic translation, often with MOHESR equivalency |
| DHA / DOH / MOH | Medical degrees, good-standing letters | MOJ-accredited translation, home-country attestation first |
| MOFA | Any certificate that will travel abroad | MOJ-accredited translation in the target language |
| Foreign embassies in UAE | Visa-supporting documents | MOJ-accredited translation in the destination language |
For documents leaving the UAE, the chain runs in reverse: MOJ-accredited translation first, then MOFA attestation, then the destination-country embassy. For documents entering the UAE from outside, attestation at origin (notary, foreign ministry, UAE embassy) precedes MOJ-accredited translation in the UAE. We map the sequence for each file before the first page is translated.
The Accredited Translation Workflow
We keep the workflow on WhatsApp end-to-end because a court filing or visa window rarely waits for an office visit. Start by sending the source document to +971 50 862 0217 as a photo or PDF. Within minutes we confirm the document type, the receiving authority, any attestation steps still missing, and a fixed price. Approval is a one-word reply.
Translation happens next. Single-page certificates and straightforward contracts usually return the same business day. Litigation bundles, corporate restructurings, and medical records take 24–72 hours depending on length. The MOJ stamp, signature, and licence number appear on every page of the Arabic or English output. Delivery comes back to the same WhatsApp thread as a PDF, with physical stamped copies couriered inside Dubai and Abu Dhabi on request.
If the receiving authority flags any issue on first submission, we reopen the file and reformat against the rejection slip at no charge. Files stay archived on our side so a re-issue six months later takes minutes, not a fresh translation fee.
Common Cases We Handle Under MOJ Accreditation
Immigration and residency. Family visa applicants send birth and marriage certificates. Spouse-sponsorship files bring divorce decrees from prior marriages. Employment visa applicants submit police clearance certificates. All three categories require MOJ-accredited Arabic translation for GDRFA. For the attestation side, see our attestation guide. Many routes also need MOHESR equivalency on the original degree.
Employment and licensing. MOHRE accepts only MOJ-accredited Arabic translation of foreign academic credentials and experience letters. Healthcare professionals submitting to DHA or DOH need the same tier on medical degrees and good-standing letters. Our medical translation service handles DHA Dataflow files at the MOJ tier.
Court filings and legal matters. UAE civil procedure requires MOJ-accredited Arabic translation of any foreign-language evidence, contract, or judgment before a court will admit it. We support Dubai Courts, ADJD, DIFC, and ADGM filings with the correct per-tribunal formatting. For the full legal silo, see legal translation Dubai. Related sub-services include powers of attorney, memoranda of association, and arbitration awards.
Corporate and commercial. Trade licences, shareholder resolutions, employment contracts, and NDAs all need MOJ-accredited Arabic translation for DED, DMCC, JAFZA, and free-zone filings. Our corporate translation hub covers the full workflow for company setup and licensing files.
Education. KHDA and ADEK expect MOJ-accredited Arabic translation of school transcripts, transfer certificates, and vaccination records at enrolment. Our certificate translation hub handles standard school-file bundles.
Accredited Translation for Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates
Accreditation travels with the translator, not the emirate. A translation under Licence #701 is accepted in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. What changes between emirates is the submission format. ADJD uses a per-page MOJ stamp placement different from Dubai Courts. Ras Al Khaimah courts accept bundled submissions where Dubai does not. Before we stamp, we confirm the exact counter and layout for Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, RAK Courts, or Sharjah Courts. See our Abu Dhabi location page for the ADJD-specific checklist.
Accredited Translation When the Document Is Coming From Abroad
Foreign documents arrive in the UAE along one of two routes. From a Hague Apostille country, the document carries an apostille sticker from the origin state. Because the UAE is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, the apostille is not enough on its own. A UAE Embassy attestation in the origin country and a MOFA attestation in the UAE still sit between the apostille and the translator. See our apostille guide for the current list of Hague countries and the UAE embassy step.
From a non-Hague country, the chain is longer. The sequence runs origin notary, origin foreign ministry, UAE Embassy in the origin country, MOFA in the UAE, then MOJ-accredited translation. Embassy attestation covers the diplomatic step in detail.
We commonly see files from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, the UK, the US, Canada, and Egypt. Each country has a specific combination of home-country attestation steps. The missing step is almost always the reason a file is bounced at GDRFA or MOFA. We verify the chain before translating.
What We Verify Before the Stamp Goes On
- Names match the applicant’s passport and Emirates ID exactly, including transliteration
- Dates, case numbers, and statutory references are carried over verbatim
- Terminology fits the receiving system: civil-law Arabic for mainland, common-law English for DIFC and ADGM
- Attestation status is checked so MOFA steps are not missed after translation
- Every page carries the MOJ stamp, translator signature, and Licence #701
The translation leaves our desk only after that checklist clears. When a document is time-critical for a hearing or a visa window, we flag the pre-submission items the client still needs to complete. We also confirm the counter’s current opening hours so nothing misses the window.
When a Company Stamp Is Enough and When It Is Not
Not every translation needs the MOJ-accredited tier. HR departments, private banks, and most non-governmental counterparties accept a company-stamped certified translation. That tier is 40–50% less expensive. Our authenticated translation guide walks through the decision. If the receiving party has not written “MOJ”, “legal translation”, “accredited”, or “Ministry of Justice”, a company stamp is commonly the right tier. If any of those words appear, MOJ accreditation is the only path that will clear the counter.
Why the Right Accreditation Prevents Rejection
The most common reason a UAE authority rejects a translation is an accreditation mismatch. We see three patterns repeatedly. A foreign sworn translation used in a Dubai Courts filing. A company-stamped translation submitted where MOFA asked for MOJ. An expired licence number on the translator’s stamp. Each rejection means a return trip, a fresh translation fee, and a lost court date or visa slot. Checking the required tier before the first page is translated avoids all three.
For deeper context, see our MOJ vs certified translation resource. For the translator-licensing background, see what it means to be a certified translator in the UAE.
Start an Accredited Translation File
Send the source document to our WhatsApp line at +971 50 862 0217. We confirm the accreditation tier, map the attestation chain, and send a fixed price within minutes, before any payment. For urgent court or visa windows, ask for the same-day express tier.
For a walk-through of how we work across document types, see how we work. For questions about the translator under Licence #701, see our translator page.
Sources
- UAE Ministry of Justice — Legal Translation Services
- Hague Conference on Private International Law — UAE status (UAE is a Member State of the HCCH but is not a party to the Apostille Convention of 1961)
- UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Attestation Services
Last updated: 19 April 2026. Translation issued by Arkan Legal Translation under MOJ Licence #701, translator Khaled Mohamed Abdeltawab Aladl.
How It Works
Send your document
Photo or PDF via WhatsApp. We confirm the receiving authority and whether attestation is needed first.
Scope and fixed quote
We review the document, confirm the translation tier (MOJ-accredited vs company-stamped), and send a final price.
Accredited translation
MOJ-licensed translator produces the Arabic or English version under License #701 with page-by-page stamp and signature.
Delivery and records
PDF to your WhatsApp thread. Hard copies couriered on request. We keep the file archived in case the authority asks for a re-issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our translation services.
What does accredited translation mean in the UAE?
Accredited translation in the UAE refers to a translation produced by a translator who holds an active licence from the UAE Ministry of Justice. The stamp on the translation carries the translator's full name, MOJ licence number, and signature on every page. Without that accreditation, the document has no legal weight in front of UAE courts, ministries, embassies, or MOHRE.
Is accredited translation the same as certified translation?
In UAE practice the two phrases usually point to the same output, but the underlying accreditation matters. A translation agency can call its output 'certified' using only a company stamp, which is accepted by some private parties. An accredited translation, in the UAE sense, carries the MOJ translator's personal licence stamp and is the version required by Dubai Courts, ADJD, GDRFA, and MOFA. If the receiving authority says 'accredited' or 'legal translation', they mean the MOJ-stamped version.
How is accredited translation different from sworn translation?
'Sworn translation' is the European term for a translator who has taken an oath before a court or ministry and signs under that oath. In the UAE, the nearest equivalent is the MOJ-accredited translator: they are registered with the Ministry of Justice, file annual compliance paperwork, and take legal responsibility for the accuracy of every translation they stamp. A foreign sworn translation is not automatically accepted at a UAE counter. UAE authorities verify the stamp against the MOJ register.
Who accepts your accredited translations?
Dubai Courts, Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD), DIFC Courts, ADGM Courts, GDRFA, ICA, MOHRE, MOFA, DHA, KHDA, DLD, and foreign embassies in the UAE. The MOJ stamp under Licence #701 is verified against the Ministry register when documents reach a government counter.
Do foreign documents need attestation before accredited translation?
Usually yes. The UAE is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so most foreign documents pass through the origin-country notary, the foreign ministry of that country, the UAE Embassy there, and finally MOFA in the UAE before translation. We verify attestation status during the document review and flag any missing step before quoting, which prevents the most common reason authorities reject a file.
What documents do you translate under MOJ accreditation?
Birth, marriage, and divorce certificates, degrees and transcripts, police clearance certificates, powers of attorney, trade licences, memoranda of association, board resolutions, court judgments, contracts, medical records, and insurance policies. Any document that needs to be read by a UAE government authority or court in the opposite language belongs in the MOJ-accredited tier.
Can a translation from outside the UAE be used in Dubai?
Generally no. A sworn translation prepared in Spain, the UK, or India is not accepted by UAE courts or ministries, even when the foreign translator is licensed in their own country. The fix is re-translation under an MOJ licence, or in some cases a re-certification where the MOJ translator reviews the foreign version and issues a fresh Arabic text with the UAE accreditation stamp. We quote the cheaper of the two paths after seeing the document.
How long does accredited translation take?
Single-page certificates in 4–6 hours, standard contracts within 24 hours, longer litigation bundles inside 48–72 hours. A same-day express tier is available when a court hearing or visa window is set. We confirm the timeline on WhatsApp before you pay.
How is accredited translation priced?
Per document, based on word count (1 page equals 200 source words), language pair (EN↔AR is the lowest-cost pair), and urgency. The price quoted on WhatsApp is the final price and covers translation, MOJ accreditation, and PDF delivery. Physical copies by courier are a small add-on.
Do you cover Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates?
Yes. Accredited translations issued under License #701 are accepted across all seven emirates. For clients in Abu Dhabi we flag anything that needs ADJD-specific formatting, and for the Northern Emirates we coordinate MOFA attestation steps remotely so the file does not need to travel twice.
What happens if the authority rejects the translation?
If a UAE authority rejects the translation due to an error on our side, we correct and redeliver at no charge. The rejection slip from the counter is the starting point, we use it to see exactly which line, stamp position, or formatting rule needs to change, and we re-issue within the same day in most cases.
Can you handle Arabic translation for an Abu Dhabi court filing?
Yes. Abu Dhabi court filings use ADJD submission rules, which differ in small but important ways from Dubai Courts: the MOJ stamp must land in a specific corner of the first page, multi-page bundles use a different binding pattern, and witness statement formatting follows the ADJD template. We format for ADJD on request and confirm the variant before stamping.
Not Sure What Your Documents Need?
Send your document. We check the requirements, tell you what is needed, and confirm the right path before you spend anything.