Planning legal translation services in Dubai can feel complex, especially when your documents must be accepted by courts, ministries, free zones, or embassies. This in-depth guide explains how pricing works, what turnaround times to expect, and the acceptance criteria that matter across the UAE.
It draws on local expertise from Sim-trans Legal Translation & Interpretation Services, a UAE-based provider with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi offering certified, legal, and general translation and interpretation nationwide. For a foundational overview of practices, terminology, and provider selection, see the pillar article: Complete overview: “Legal Translation Services: The Complete Guide.”
What Legal Translation Means in Dubai and the UAE
In the UAE, “legal translation” refers to translations performed by professional translators who are duly approved for legal work and who issue certified translations that bear official stamps and statements. This is distinct from general translation. Certified legal translation is typically required for submission to public authorities, courts, or embassies, especially where accurate rendering of legal concepts and personal data is critical.
1) Certified Legal Translation vs. General Translation
- Certified legal translation: Produced by qualified legal translators and issued with certification and stamps according to UAE practice. Required for official use (e.g., courts, immigration, ministries).
- General translation: Suitable for internal/marketing use where certification is not required. Not accepted by authorities for legal or procedural purposes.
2) Documents Commonly Requiring Legal Translation
- Personal: passports, IDs, birth/marriage/divorce certificates, academic records, police clearance, driver’s licenses.
- Corporate: trade licenses, MOA/AOA, board resolutions, powers of attorney, contracts, NDAs, policies, tenders.
- Litigation and notary matters: pleadings, court judgments, witness statements, affidavits, and notarial deeds.
- Immigration and employment: experience letters, salary certificates, offer letters, visas, and immigration records.
Who Can Provide Legal Translation Services in Dubai? Licensing and Accreditation
To ensure acceptance by government entities in the UAE, legal translation services in Dubai should be executed and certified by a provider working with appropriately approved translators. Sim-trans Legal Translation & Interpretation Services collaborates with experienced legal translators and issues certified translations fit for official purposes across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider UAE.
Acceptance Considerations
- Courts and Notary Public: Certified translations are required; formatting, seals, and translator credentials must meet procedural rules.
- Government ministries and free zones: Translations often must be in or into Arabic (e.g., for mainland authorities), while some free zones (like DIFC/ADGM) may accept English depending on context.
- Embassies/consulates: Many diplomatic missions accept certified translations; some also require notarization or ministry attestation.
Source:
[1] Licensing guidelines. (n.d.). CBUAE Rulebook. Retrieved December 12, 2025, from https://rulebook.centralbank.ae/en/rulebook/part-i-%E2%80%93-licensing-requirements
Costs of Legal Translation in Dubai: How Pricing Works
Legal translation services in Dubai pricing typically reflects language pair, complexity, document length, formatting requirements, and urgency. Below are common cost drivers and realistic ranges that support budgeting. Sim-trans provides transparent, itemized quotes and package pricing on request.
1) Key Cost Drivers
- Language pair: Arabic to English tends to be most common and cost-effective; rarer languages can cost more.
- Complexity: Technical legal content (e.g., complex contracts, litigation materials) may cost more than straightforward civil documents.
- Volume and formatting: Larger word counts or complex formatting (tables, stamps, annexes) may influence price.
- Certification and extras: Certification is included in legal translation, but added services like notarization, MOFAIC attestation, or courier delivery are extra.
- Urgency: Expedited or same-day service may carry a rush fee.
2) Typical pricing ranges in the UAE
| Service/Language Pair | Typical Pricing (AED) | Notes
|
|---|---|---|
| Arabic ↔ English (per certified page) | 120–200 AED | Common legal documents; page defined by industry standard (often ~250 words) |
| Arabic ↔ Major European languages (per page) | 150–250 AED | French, German, Spanish, Italian, etc.; subject to complexity |
| Arabic ↔ Less-common languages (per page) | 200–350 AED | Availability of specialized legal linguists impacts rate |
| Notarization support (per document) | 150–300+ AED | Excluding government or notary fees |
| MOFAIC attestation handling (per document) | 150–250+ AED | Govt fees vary; service fee depends on travel and processing |
| Rush/expedited service | +20–50% | Applied for urgent deadlines or same-day issuance |
To control costs, share editable files (if available), provide clear scans, consolidate multiple documents into one order, and confirm any official formatting or transliteration requirements upfront. Sim-trans can advise you on whether you need Arabic or English for your specific authority and how to avoid rework.
Timelines and Turnaround: Standard vs. Expedited
Turnaround depends on volume, language pair, complexity, and the need for additional steps like notarization or attestation. For small personal documents, certified legal translation is often completed within 24 to 48 hours; larger or technical bundles may require several business days.
1) General timeline expectations
- Short personal documents (1 to 3 pages): Same day to 24 hours (expedited) or 1 to 2 business days (standard).
- Corporate/technical documents (10 to 30 pages): 2 to 5 business days, depending on complexity and formatting.
- Large sets (50+ pages): Phased delivery schedule, often 1 to 2 weeks with rolling handovers.
2) Typical process timeline
| Stage | What Happens | Typical Time
|
|---|---|---|
| Intake & Scoping | Document review, language direction, acceptance requirements | 1–4 hours (business hours) |
| Quote & Confirmation | Estimate issued and approved; PO or payment arrangements | 1–12 hours |
| Translation | Legal linguists translate using terminology consistency | Up to 1,500–2,500 words/day per linguist |
| Editing & QA | Second linguist review and final verification | Varies with volume (often same day as translation completion) |
| Certification | Issuance of certified translation with stamps and statement | Same day to 24 hours |
| Optional Notarization/Attestation | Notary/MOFAIC steps if required | 1 to 3 business days (subject to authority processing) |
Sim-trans offers rush options for time-sensitive matters. If you have firm court or filing deadlines, please notify the team at the outset so they can prioritize accordingly.
Acceptance: Courts, Government, Free Zones, and Embassies
Acceptance criteria depend on where you submit the translation and the language requirements of the receiving body. Below is a practical overview to help you plan.
1) UAE Courts and Notary Public
- Courts typically require certified legal translations. Certain proceedings may require Arabic as the official language of record.
- Notarial acts may require translation of foreign-language documents into Arabic for authentication or notarization.
- Ensure personal data (names, dates, passport numbers) matches official records precisely. Even small inconsistencies can cause delays.
2) Ministries and Government Departments
- Ministries, immigration authorities, and municipal departments often require Arabic. Some accept bilingual formatting where applicable.
- When an application mandates attestation, complete the sequence (e.g., notarization to MOFAIC) before submission.
3) Free Zones: DIFC and ADGM
- English is widely used in the DIFC and ADGM ecosystems; however, check whether specific regulators or courts require Arabic.
- Corporate and finance documents may be accepted in English; litigation or public record steps may differ by procedure.
4) Embassies and Consulates
- Embassies commonly accept certified translations; many require additional steps such as notarization or MOFAIC attestation first.
- If the target jurisdiction uses a non-Arabic language, you may need translation into it as well. Plan for dual translations if necessary.
To avoid rejection, ask your receiving authority for its most recent translation and attestation requirements. Sim-trans can help interpret those requirements and recommend the right path to acceptance.
The Legal Translation Process: From Quote to Certified Delivery
- Consultation and scoping: Please share scans or editable files, the target authority, and your deadline. Mention if notarization or attestation is required.
- Quote and agreement: Receive a line-item estimate covering translation, certification, and any extra services.
- Translation by legal linguist: A specialized translator with legal expertise handles the text, ensuring correct terminology and legal nuance.
- Editing and QA: A second linguist or QA specialist reviews for accuracy, consistency, and formatting.
- Certification issuance: The certified legal translation is stamped and issued as per UAE practice; digital copies are provided, and tangible copies can be couriered if needed.
- Optional steps: Notarization and MOFAIC attestation can be arranged if the receiving body requires them.
- Delivery and support: Please receive the finalized files and, if applicable, the original stamped copies. Sim-trans remains available for clarifications or minor updates requested by authorities.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- Name inconsistencies: Ensure spelling matches passports and IDs. Provide reference spellings for names transliterated from non-Latin scripts.
- Missing pages or stamps: Provide complete documents. Missing annexes or illegible stamps can lead to rejection.
- Wrong language for target authority: Confirm whether the receiving body requires Arabic or accepts English. Some require Arabic regardless of origin language.
- Unclear deadlines: Tell your provider early if you have court or filing dates. This affects scheduling and may require rush service.
- Machine translation reliance: Automated outputs aren’t accepted for legal purposes and can introduce risk. Always use certified legal translation.
- Notarization and attestation sequence: If needed, complete these steps in the correct order. Your provider can guide you.
Why Sim-trans Legal Translation & Interpretation Services
Sim-trans is a UAE-based translation company with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, serving individuals and businesses across the country. The team provides certified, legal, and general translation as well as interpretation for events, conferences, business meetings, and multilingual communication. For legal translation, Sim-trans offers:
- Certified legal translations suitable for courts, ministries, free zones, and embassies in the UAE.
- Specialized legal linguists with experience in contracts, corporate filings, litigation materials, and notarial documents.
- End-to-end support, including notarization and MOFAIC attestation coordination when required.
- Transparent pricing with itemized quotes and options for standard or rush timelines.
- Nationwide coverage with convenient delivery of certified hard copies and secure digital files.
Need a quote or urgent help? Contact Sim-trans Legal Translation & Interpretation Services for responsive, compliant support tailored to your use case in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and across the UAE.
FAQs: Legal Translation in Dubai
1) How much does legal translation cost in Dubai?
For common Arabic–English certified pages, typical pricing ranges from 120 to 200 AED per page, with higher rates for rarer languages or complex legal content. Extras like notarization or MOFAIC attestation are quoted separately. Request a tailored quote from Sim-trans to match your documents and deadlines.
2) How long does it take?
Small personal documents can often be completed within 24 to 48 hours. Corporate or technical sets may require 1 to 2 business days or longer depending on volume and complexity. Rush options are available—notify the Sim-trans team if you have a strict due date.
Acceptance depends on compliance with each authority’s requirements. Certified legal translations are the baseline; some authorities also require notarization and/or MOFAIC attestation. Sim-trans advises on the correct pathway and can handle the extra steps when needed.
4) Do I need Arabic or English?
Many UAE authorities require Arabic for official filings; some free zones and private entities accept English. Confirm the requirement for your specific submission. Sim-trans can translate and format accordingly, including bilingual layouts when appropriate.
5) Can you work from scans or photos?
Yes, clear scans are preferred. If originals are required for attestation or submission, Sim-trans will advise. Physical copies of certified translations can be couriered on request.
Conclusion: Get Legal Translation services done right on time and accepted.
When you need legal translation services in Dubai, the key is compliance: certified translators, correct language, and the right sequence of notarization or attestation where required. With transparent pricing, realistic timelines, and support for acceptance across courts, ministries, free zones, and embassies, Sim-trans Legal Translation & Interpretation Services helps you submit with confidence in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and throughout the UAE.
For a more comprehensive understanding of methods and how to select providers, refer to the pillar article titled: “Legal Translation Services: The Complete Guide.”
