Have you ever looked for a translation service in Dubai? In all probability, you have come across the following two concepts: “certified translation” and “notarized translation”. Don’t confuse them because misunderstanding can lead you to waste time and money and even get your application rejected at the governmental counter.

The choice depends on the UAE government office you are going to work with and whether you will need a certified translation or a notarized one or both of them. In this blog, we explain certified vs notarized translations, what kind of translation you need, when, which one UAE government authority requires, and how much it costs in Dubai.

What Is Certified Translation in Dubai?

A certified translation is one where an accuracy statement is attached to the translation. This statement, which is usually written by a certified translation office, states that the translation is accurate and complete.

A certified translation in Dubai is handled and produced by certified translation offices, which are licensed by the MOJ, UAE. A typical certified translation will have a full translation of the document, a statement of accuracy, signature of the translator, and the official seal and certification stamp of the translation office.

What Is Notarized Translation in Dubai?

The notarization process is an additional step to the certified translation process to provide further authentication of the document. Unlike certified translation that is verified by an MOJ-certified translation office, the translation is notarized by a notary public, Dubai Courts, or a private notary. This producer is required for verification of the signature of the translator and affixing a notarial stamp on the document.

It should be noted here that the notary only checks the authenticity of the translator’s signature and does not verify the translated content. This process provides additional legal credibility to the translated document and is generally required for judicial purposes, immigration files, and government submissions.

Certified vs Notarized Translations — Key Differences at a Glance

Let’s wrap up the previous information about certified translation vs notarized translation in the following points:

Certified Translation	Notarized Translation
Focus on linguistic accuracy	Focus on legal authentication
Performed by certified translator	Performed by certified translator and notary public
Verify the translated content accuracy	Verify the signature of the translator.
Required for administrative acceptance	Required for court and judicial validations.
Used for official and academic documents	Used for court, government, and immigration documents

When Do You Need Certified Translation in the UAE?

Certified translations are the right option in cases where a translated document needs to be precise and official but not legally verified in the court. Some situations that need certified translation are the following:

• Submitting academic transcripts and diplomas for university admission.
• Translating CVs, offer letters, and HR documents for employment.
• Translating business-related documents such as agreements, MOUs, and profiles of companies.
• Translating documents related to marketing, media, websites, and products.
• Submitting documents for a visa application (without any demand for notarization)

When Do You Need Notarized Translation in the UAE?

The use of notarized translation is essential if the document needs to be used in a legal or government context. Common situations where notarization is needed include:

• Submission of documents to Dubai Courts or other courts in the United Arab Emirates.
• Application of immigration documents to GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs).
• Registration or modification of documents in companies or in the government.
• Power of attorney submissions.
• Marriage, divorce, and birth certificates for legal purposes.
• MOFA attestations, which need notarized copies before further legalization.

Which UAE Authorities Require Certified Translation?

Many government bodies and institutions will recognize certified translations without necessarily requesting notarization. These include:

• Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE)
• Universities and academic institutions
• Free zone authorities
• Private sector employers and business partners
• Federal Tax Authority (FTA)
• Most embassies and consulates in the UAE

Which UAE Authorities Require Notarized Translation?

In many cases, notarization is specifically required if the documents have any legal or judicial weight:

• Dubai courts and other legal entities and institutions
• Ministry of Justice
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)
• General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA)
• Immigration offices
• Real estate and property registration authorities

Can a Translation Be Both Certified and Notarized?

In most cases, yes. Government entities and official authorities required certified translation notarized as an additional legal authentication requirement. Let’s explain how the process goes:

1. An MOJ-certified translator translates and certifies the document.

1. The certified document is taken to the notary public office.
2. The notary public verifies the identity and signature of the translator.
3. The notary public adds their seal to the document, thus making it notarized.

Certified vs Notarized — Which Is Right for Your Document?

Choosing between the two types of translation depends on the destination entity  and use of the document:

• If your document will be used for academic purposes, employment, or other business purposes, certified translation is enough.
• If your document is meant for the court, the legal department of a government agency, any immigration-related matter, or the documents will be used by official authorities abroad, notarization will be needed.

You have to ask the receiving entity about their requirements before translating your documents to do the steps right.

Common Documents and Which Type They Require in Dubai

Document Type	Translation Type Required
Birth Certificate	Certified or Notarized based on the receiving entity’s requirements.
Power of attorney	Notarized
Court documents	Notarized
Company trade license	Certified
Academic transcripts	Certified
Employment contracts	Certified
Bank statements	Certified
Medical reports	Certified
Immigration documents	Notarized

How Much Do Certified vs Notarized Translations Cost in Dubai?

Certified translations’ prices vary depending on the document type, word count or document length, language pair, and content complexity. However, notarized translations have an additional cost to the cost of certified translation because of the charge of the notary public.

Requesting an urgent translation request costs an additional fee to deliver the translations on the same day. Since prices may differ from each other depending on the schedule of government fees, it is better to ask for a customized quotation for your specific document.

How Alsun Handles Both Certified and Notarized Translations

At Alsun, each translation process is handled by a qualified and licensed legal translator to come up with an accurate translation of your documents in compliance with the requirements of the Ministry of Justice.

If your document requires notarization as well, our team takes care of it on your behalf, sparing you the trouble of having to visit a notary yourself for such services.

Our offices, located in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offer services of notarization and certified translations at the same place and online, making it easy to reach us anytime and advising you on which kind you actually need.

Conclusion

In this article, we have objectively discussed certified vs notarized translations, when you might need each one, and how to request them. They are accurate translations officially done by certified translators.

The difference lies in their usage purposes. Certified translation is used to prove the accuracy of language and is enough for academic, employment, or business documents. But notarized translation adds a legal authentication of the text and becomes the norm when the document should be presented in a court, to an immigration authority, or to any government agency requiring legal validity.

You have to contact the receiving entity and know their requirements clearly to ensure their acceptance without obstacles or wasting time and money. In case you have difficulties deciding what type of translation you need for your document, we will analyze your situation at Alsun and will let you know whether you need certified, notarized, or both types of translation.

Read More: National ID Translation

FAQs

Is notarized translation more costly than certified translation?

Yes, in notarized translations you have to pay the notary public fees in addition to the certified translation cost, which makes them slightly expensive.

Can I use a certified translation where notarization is required?

No. You have to get your translation at the notary public. If you submit the certified translation only, your submission will be rejected.

Do all UAE authorities have the same requirements?

No. Each authority might have different requirements, whether it is for Dubai or Abu Dhabi or another emirate or between different departments of the same authority.

How much is the certified translation cost at Alsun?

The cost of certified translation at Alsun starts at AED 35 per page for Arabic and English language pairs, and the cost increases according to the required language pair, document type, and number of pages.