What Is MOJ-Certified Translation?
A quick reference: what the MOJ stamp means, what it contains, when you need it, and how to verify one you have received.
Definition
MOJ-certified translation is a document translated and stamped by a translator who holds an active license from the UAE Ministry of Justice for that specific language pair. The translator's personal stamp, license number, and signature on the document are what give it legal standing for government submissions.
Without MOJ certification, a translation can be perfectly accurate and still get rejected. Dubai Courts, GDRFA, and government ministries check the stamp before they read the content. No valid MOJ stamp, no acceptance - regardless of quality.
What the MOJ Stamp Contains
Every MOJ-certified translation carries a stamp with these six elements. If any are missing, the authority will reject it.
Translator's Full Name
In Arabic and English. This is the individual who performed and certified the translation.
MOJ License Number
The license issued by the Ministry of Justice. For Arkan's Arabic ↔ English translations: License #701.
Language Pair
The specific pair the license covers (e.g., Arabic ↔ English). A stamp for one pair cannot certify a different pair.
Translator's Signature
Handwritten signature of the translator. This is their personal attestation that the translation is true and complete.
Date of Translation
When the translation was completed. Some authorities require translations within a certain recency window.
Declaration Statement
"This is a true and accurate translation of the original document" - the formal declaration that accompanies every certified translation.
When MOJ-Certified Translation Is Required
MOJ-Certified Required
- Dubai Courts (all case types)
- GDRFA (visa, residency, status changes)
- MOHRE (employment disputes, complaints)
- MOFA (document attestation submissions)
- DET (company formation, licensing)
- Notary Public (powers of attorney, contracts)
Certified (Any Tier) Usually Sufficient
- Banks (account opening, mortgage applications)
- Private employers (HR documentation)
- Universities (admissions, transcript evaluation)
- Insurance companies (claims documentation)
- Internal corporate use (compliance, review)
- DIFC/ADGM (English proceedings - Arabic docs need MOJ)
Why this matters: If your document is going to a private entity, you may not need to pay for MOJ-certified translation. A certified translation at Tier 2 or 3 could be sufficient. Send your document and we will confirm exactly which tier you need - before any work begins.
The Three-Tier Certification System
Not every language pair has an MOJ-licensed translator in the UAE. The system accounts for this with three tiers.
MOJ-Licensed Translator (Direct)
Arabic ↔ English: Khaled Mohamed Abdeltawab Aladl, MOJ License #701
Contracted MOJ Translators
French, German, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Italian - each translator holds their own MOJ license
Company Certification
Tagalog, Greek, and others without MOJ coverage - certified under DUL #CJ9803
For the full comparison of legal, certified, and sworn translation, see: Legal vs Certified vs Sworn Translation
How to Verify an MOJ Translation
If you received a translation and need to confirm it is genuinely MOJ-certified, follow these steps.
Find the license number on the stamp
Look at the translator's stamp on the translation. The MOJ license number is printed alongside the translator's name and language pair.
Call the MOJ verification hotline
Dial 800 333333 (toll-free within the UAE). This is the Ministry of Justice's public service line.
Ask the MOJ to confirm
Provide the license number and ask: Is this license currently active? Does it cover this language pair? If either answer is no, the translation is not valid for government submission.
If the license is expired or the pair does not match: The translation needs to be redone by a translator with a current, matching license. We fix these cases regularly - someone brings us a translation from another office, the stamp looks official, but the license expired six months ago. The document gets rejected at GDRFA, and they have to start over.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does MOJ-certified mean on a legal translation?It means the translation was completed and stamped by a translator individually licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice for that specific language pair. The stamp includes the translator's name, MOJ license number, language pair, signature, and date. This certification is what government authorities check when they receive a translated document.
Does the MOJ license cover all languages?No. Each MOJ license is issued to a specific translator for a specific language pair. A translator licensed for Arabic ↔ English cannot certify Arabic ↔ French translations. For language pairs where no MOJ-licensed translator exists in the UAE, company certification (Tier 3) is the accepted path.
Can any translator get an MOJ license?No. The Ministry of Justice sets requirements for education, language proficiency, and residency. The license is issued per language pair after examination. Not every working translator in the UAE holds an MOJ license - many translate for private-sector use where MOJ certification is not required.
What if my language pair has no MOJ translator in the UAE?For pairs like Tagalog, Greek, and others without MOJ coverage, translations carry company certification under a registered translation office. This is Tier 3 in the UAE system - it is the legally recognized path for those pairs, not a workaround or downgrade.
Is MOJ certification the same as attestation?No. MOJ certification proves the translation is officially stamped by a licensed translator. Attestation (MOFA, embassy) proves the original document is genuine. They are different steps - many documents need both, in a specific order. See the Translation & Attestation Guide for how they connect.
Read Next
Legal vs Certified vs Sworn Translation
The three terms sound similar but mean different things in the UAE.
Why Was My Translation Rejected?
Six common rejection reasons and how to prevent each one.
Translation and Attestation Guide
Do you need translation, attestation, or both? This guide covers the order.
Need MOJ-Certified Translation?
Send your document. We confirm which certification tier your receiving authority requires and deliver under the correct stamp. Free route check - no commitment.