Why Was My Legal Translation Rejected?
You stood in line at a government counter, handed over your documents, and got turned away. It happens more than you would think. Here are the six most common reasons - and how to fix each one.
The 6 Most Common Reasons
Wrong certification tier
The translation carries a company stamp (Tier 3) but the authority requires MOJ-certified (Tier 1 or 2). We see this constantly - someone gets a translation from a typing center in Karama, submits it to Dubai Courts, and gets turned away because the stamp is not MOJ. The office never checked which tier was needed.
Fix: Get the document retranslated by an MOJ-licensed translator for that language pair. The existing translation cannot be "upgraded" - a new one must be issued under the correct stamp.
Expired MOJ license on the stamp
The translator's license was valid when the translation was done but has since expired, or it was already expired at the time of translation. GDRFA and Dubai Courts check against the live MOJ registry. If the license shows as inactive, the translation is rejected on the spot.
Fix: Get a new translation from a translator with a current, active license. Verify any license by calling 800 333333.
License does not cover the language pair
The translator's MOJ license is for Arabic to French, but the translation is Arabic to English. Each license is per language pair. A translator licensed for one pair cannot certify another - and the counter clerk will check.
Fix: Get the document retranslated by a translator licensed for the correct pair. For Arabic ↔ English, Arkan's translator holds MOJ License #701.
Formatting does not match authority requirements
The translation is accurate and properly certified, but the layout does not match what the receiving authority expects. Dubai Courts family division, for example, has specific header and margin requirements. A perfectly translated document in the wrong format gets sent back.
Fix: Reformat the translation to match the authority's requirements. This usually does not require retranslation - just reformatting and re-certification. Arkan formats per the receiving authority's standards as part of the route check.
Missing attestation step
The translation is correct, but the authority also required attestation (MOFA, notary, or embassy) that was not done. The document arrives with a translator's stamp but without the authentication stamps. This is especially common with foreign degree certificates submitted to MOHRE - translation alone is not enough.
Fix: Complete the missing attestation step. If the order matters (some authorities need attestation before translation), check whether your existing translation can proceed or needs to be redone in the correct sequence. See the order guide.
Outdated document version
The original document has been superseded (e.g., an old version of a degree certificate, an expired passport copy, or a corporate document that has since been amended). The authority rejects because the source document is no longer current.
Fix: Obtain the current version of the original document, then translate that version. The translation of an outdated document cannot be "updated" - it must be redone from the current source.
How to Prevent Rejection
Every rejection above has the same root cause: nobody checked what the receiving authority actually requires before starting. That one step - the route check - prevents all six problems.
What a route check confirms before translation begins:
- Which certification tier the receiving authority requires
- Whether attestation is needed and in what order
- Which formatting standard the authority expects
- Whether the original document version is current
- Whether additional steps (notarization, MOFA, embassy) follow
Arkan runs this route check on every file. If your document was already rejected elsewhere, we diagnose the issue, explain what went wrong, and re-translate under the correct stamp and format.
Send your document for a free route check - we confirm everything before any work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Arkan fix a translation done by another translator?Yes. We review the existing translation, identify the compliance gap (wrong tier, expired license, formatting issue), and issue a corrected version under the appropriate certification. The new translation carries Arkan's MOJ stamp for Arabic ↔ English or the correct contracted translator's stamp for other pairs.
How do I know if my translation has the right certification tier?Check the stamp on the translation. If it carries a personal MOJ license number, signature, and language pair - it is Tier 1 or 2 (MOJ-certified). If it carries only a company stamp with no individual license number, it is Tier 3. For government submissions (courts, GDRFA, ministries), Tier 1 or 2 is required for pairs where MOJ translators exist.
What should I bring to Arkan if my translation was rejected?Bring (or WhatsApp) three things: the rejected translation, the original document, and any rejection notice or feedback from the authority. The rejection notice tells us exactly what the authority flagged - this makes the fix faster and more targeted.
How long does it take to fix a rejected translation?If the issue is certification tier or formatting, we can usually issue a corrected version same-day or next day. If the issue is an attestation step that was missed, the timeline depends on the attestation authority (MOFA: 1-3 days, embassy: varies). We confirm the timeline during the diagnosis.
Had a document rejected?
Send us the rejected translation and the rejection notice. We diagnose the issue, explain what went wrong, and provide the corrected version under the right stamp.
Read Next
What Is MOJ-Certified Translation?
What the MOJ stamp contains, when it is required, and how to verify it.
Translation Before or After Attestation?
Wrong order is a common rejection cause. Learn the correct sequence.
Legal vs Certified vs Sworn Translation
Using the wrong tier is another top rejection reason. Know the difference.