Commercial Register Translation for a UAE Branch (2026)
The Short Answer
To register a branch, representative office or subsidiary of a foreign company in the UAE, the parent company’s commercial register extract (and usually its certificate of incorporation, articles and board resolution) must be recent, attested in the home country and by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and translated into Arabic by a translator licensed by the UAE Ministry of Justice (MOJ). Mainland licensing authorities, notaries and many banks work from the Arabic version.
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What the Commercial Register Proves
Authorities in the UAE use the parent company’s register extract to check four things:
- That the company exists and is active, with its registered name, number and address.
- Who the directors and authorised signatories are, so the UAE manager’s appointment and power of attorney can be checked against them.
- Who the shareholders are, which banks use for beneficial ownership (UBO) checks.
- What the company is allowed to do, which must fit the activities requested on the UAE licence.
Requirements Step by Step
1. Get a recent extract
Many authorities and banks expect the extract to be issued within the last three months. Order a fresh certified extract or certificate of good standing rather than reusing an old one.
2. Attest it in the home country
The extract is legalised by the home-country foreign ministry and the UAE embassy or consulate. For Apostille Convention countries the route can differ; see our apostille vs attestation guide.
3. Attest it at MOFA in the UAE
MOFA charges AED 2,000 per commercial document (check current fees on the MOFA website). Each separate certificate is a separate document.
4. Translate it into Arabic
An MOJ-licensed translator translates the whole extract, including all stamps and attestations, and matches company names, activities and signatory names to how they will appear on the UAE licence.
5. File it with the authority
The attested original and certified translation go to the licensing authority (for example the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism or the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development), the notary for the manager’s power of attorney, and the bank.
Who Asks for What
| Authority | Arabic translation | Attestation | Why they need it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mainland licensing authority | Certified by an MOJ-licensed translator | Home country + UAE embassy + MOFA | Branch or subsidiary licence |
| Notary public | Certified, attached to the attested original | Full chain to MOFA | Manager’s power of attorney, local service agent documents |
| Banks | Often requested; depends on the bank | Usually full chain | Account opening, UBO and AML checks |
| Free zone authority | Often accepted in English at registration | Usually full chain | Free zone licence; Arabic needed later for onshore steps |
Free zone rules differ by authority. Our guide to corporate documents for Dubai mainland vs free zones covers the differences.
Common Reasons for Rejection
These are the problems we see most often in branch registration files:
- Translating before attestation, so the Arabic version is missing the embassy and MOFA stamps and has to be redone.
- Activities translated word for word instead of matched to the UAE activity list, which confuses the licence application.
- Stamps and endorsements left out, especially those on the back of the certificate.
- Names spelled differently from the passports of directors and signatories, which stalls bank account opening.
- An extract that is too old by the time the file reaches the authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does MOFA attestation of a commercial register cost?
MOFA charges AED 2,000 per commercial document, paid online. Embassy and home-country fees are separate.
Does a free zone company need an Arabic translation?
Often not at registration, as many free zones accept English. Arabic translations are still needed for onshore steps such as notarised powers of attorney, some bank requirements and court matters.
Can translation start before attestation is finished?
We can review scans and prepare terminology early, but the final certified translation should be made from the attested document so that it covers every stamp.
What other parent company documents are usually needed?
Typically the certificate of incorporation, memorandum and articles, a board resolution approving the branch and appointing the manager, and sometimes audited accounts. See how to translate board resolutions and MOA translation.
Is our data kept confidential?
Yes. Corporate files are handled confidentially, and we sign an NDA on request.
Disclaimer
This article is general information. Requirements and fees change and differ by emirate, free zone and bank; confirm the current list with the authority or your corporate services provider.
Get Your Company Documents Translated
Send the parent company documents for a free quote. Smart World Legal Translation is led by Dr. Hani Elimam (MOJ-licensed translator, AIIC member), has served UAE businesses since 2014 and is rated 4.8/5 on Google. Send your documents on WhatsApp or use our contact page.