Legal Translation of a Will for Dubai Courts: Arabic Rules
The Short Answer
Most expatriates in the UAE draft their will in English. Whether that English text is enough depends entirely on where the will is registered. At one registry it is the only language accepted; at another it must be accompanied by Arabic, line for line; and the difference matters years later, when a court has to read the document without you there to explain it.
A will registered with the Dubai Courts Notary Public is a notarial instrument, and Dubai’s law on notaries requires notarial instruments to be in Arabic. An English will is therefore registered as a bilingual document — English and Arabic side by side — or is translated into Arabic by a legal translator. The Arabic is not a formality: it is the text an onshore court will read.
This article explains the language rules for a will registered at the Dubai Courts Notary Public. It is general information, not legal advice.
What the Law Says
The rules do not come from the wills law. Dubai Law No. 15 of 2017, which created the register of wills for non-Muslims, has no article on language. They come from Dubai Law No. 4 of 2013 concerning Notaries Public (as amended):
- Instruments processed by a notary must be written in Arabic.
- Where an instrument is bilingual, both texts must be in one continuous document, and the parties sign each page opposite each text.
- Where an instrument is in a foreign language only, the parties must have it translated into Arabic by a Translator — defined in the Law as a legal translator certified by the competent authority.
- Where a party does not know the language, the notary communicates through a Translator, who signs the record.
Who May Translate It
At federal level, Federal Decree-Law No. 22 of 2022 regulating the translation profession provides that the profession may be practised only by translators and translation houses registered in the Ministry of Justice’s list, and that courts and authorities do not accept translations made by anyone else. A translation by a bilingual friend, or by a general translator outside that list, is not an option for a will.
For how certification, notarisation and attestation differ, see certified vs notarised vs attested translation.
What This Means for Your Will
1. The Arabic text must say exactly what the English says
The Arabic is the version an onshore court reads, so any gap between the two texts is a risk. A will is the worst place for a loose translation: “my issue”, “per stirpes”, “residuary estate” and “guardian” have no casual Arabic equivalents, and the wrong choice changes who inherits.
2. Format matters as much as wording
A two-column layout, matching clause numbers and page-by-page correspondence make signing possible and later comparison easy.
3. Names must match the documents
Names of beneficiaries, executors and guardians should be written in Arabic as they appear on passports or Emirates IDs, not as they sound. See name spelling mismatches between documents.
4. If you do not read Arabic
Expect the notary to work through a translator at the appointment.
5. Supporting documents need their own translation
Documents in other languages — a foreign marriage certificate, for example — need their own legal translation and, if issued abroad, attestation.
How Dubai Courts Compares With the Other Registries
| Registry | Language of the will | Translation to register |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Courts Notary Public | Arabic (bilingual in practice) | Full Arabic text by a legal translator |
| DIFC Courts Wills Service | English | None for the will itself |
| Abu Dhabi Judicial Department | Bilingual standard template | Arabic half of a custom-drafted will |
See which UAE will registry needs a translation for the full comparison, and our guide to DIFC and ADJD wills for registration steps.
Common Mistakes
- Translating a will written for another legal system word for word, including clauses that mean nothing in the UAE.
- Using a general translator rather than a legal one.
- Changing the English after the Arabic has been prepared.
- Leaving the translation to the day before the appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register an English-only will at the Dubai Courts?
Not as it stands. A notarial instrument must be in Arabic, so an English will is registered in bilingual form or with an Arabic translation by a legal translator.
Which text counts if the English and Arabic differ?
The onshore court reads the Arabic, which is why the two texts must match clause by clause before signing.
Do I need a translator at the signing?
If you do not know Arabic, the notary communicates with you through a translator, who signs the record.
How much does will translation cost?
From AED 80 per 200-word page for Arabic and English, AED 100 for French, AED 150 for German, Italian or Turkish, and AED 250 for other languages such as Chinese, Russian or Urdu (all excl. 5% VAT). Urgent work is priced on request, and large files receive discounts. See our pricing page or the will translation in Dubai service page.
How SWLT Helps
We translate wills between English and Arabic for registration, set them in bilingual format, and keep the terminology consistent with the registry’s practice. Smart World Legal Translation (SWLT) is an MOJ-licensed legal translation office in Abu Dhabi, led by Dr. Hani Elimam, an MOJ-licensed translator. For the legal side — which registry suits you and what the will should say — see the UAE will drafting service at Smart Legal Services.
Disclaimer
This article is general information about the translation side of wills and inheritance in the UAE. It is not legal advice. Laws, registry rules and fees change; confirm current requirements with the registry or authority concerned and take advice from a lawyer on your own situation.
Get Your Will Translated Before the Appointment
Send the final English draft and tell us the registry and appointment date. Smart World Legal Translation is led by Dr. Hani Elimam (MOJ-licensed translator, AIIC member), has translated legal documents since 2014 and is rated 4.8/5 on Google. Send your documents on WhatsApp (+971 50 864 8439), email info@swlt.ae, or use our contact page.