People arriving in the UAE often bring a "certified translation" from home and are surprised when it is refused. Nothing was wrong with the translation. The word simply means something different here. In much of the English-speaking world, certified means the translator or agency has signed a statement that the work is accurate. In the UAE, what authorities look for is narrower: a translation produced by a translator licensed by the Ministry of Justice (وزارة العدل).

The words, untangled المصطلحات

• Certified translation (ترجمة معتمدة). A translation with a signed statement of accuracy. Enough for many private and overseas uses, but the term has no single official meaning.
• Legal translation (ترجمة قانونية). The UAE term. Made by a licensed legal translator (مترجم قانوني) and carrying their stamp. This is what courts, notaries and ministries expect. "Sworn translation" usually means the same thing.
• Notarised. A notary public (كاتب العدل) confirms who signed a document. A notary does not check whether a translation is correct.
• Attested (تصديق). A chain of government stamps proving the original document is real. It says nothing about the translation.

In short, attestation is about the document, notarisation is about the signature, and legal translation is about the words.

What a legal translation looks like شكل الترجمة

A UAE legal translation is easy to recognise. It normally carries the translator's or translation office's stamp (ختم) and signature on every page, identifies the licensed translator, includes a statement that the translation matches the original, and is attached to a copy of the source document so the two can be read together. If one of these is missing, ask why before you submit it.

When you need one متى تحتاجها

You need a legal translation whenever a document will be relied on officially: court filings, anything signed before a notary, contracts and powers of attorney, company formation papers, and personal certificates used for visas. For internal use, such as understanding a contract before a meeting or reading a supplier's terms, an ordinary professional translation is fine and usually costs less.

Three questions to ask a translator اسأل قبل الطلب

Is the translator licensed for this language pair? Licences are granted for specific languages. Will the translation be accepted by the authority I am sending it to? Requirements differ between courts, ministries and free zones. And will I receive a stamped hard copy as well as a scan? Some authorities still ask to see the original stamp.

This article is general guidance, not legal advice. Requirements vary by authority and can change. Confirm what is accepted with the body receiving your document.