Name Spelled Differently on Your Documents? UAE Fix Guide
The Short Answer
UAE authorities match people by name. If the name on your degree, marriage certificate or birth certificate is spelled differently from your passport or Emirates ID, the file may be returned, whether it is a visa, an attestation, a notarisation or a court case. There are two kinds of mismatch, and they have different fixes:
- A translation mismatch: the source documents agree, but the translator spelled the name differently. This is fully preventable: the translation should follow the passport (Latin script) and the Emirates ID (Arabic script).
- A source document mismatch: the documents themselves differ, for example a missing middle name on the degree. A translator cannot fix this by “correcting” the name; it needs a document that links the two versions.
Smart World Legal Translation (SWLT) is an MOJ-licensed translation office in Abu Dhabi. Every translation we deliver uses one name spelling, checked against your passport and Emirates ID, from AED 80 per 200-word page (excl. 5% VAT).
Why Names Drift
Arabic names have no single Latin spelling, and Latin names have no single Arabic spelling. محمد can be Mohammed, Mohamed, Muhammad or Mohamad; “Smith” can be written with or without a long vowel in Arabic. Other common causes:
- name order (given name first or family name first) differs between countries;
- a father’s or grandfather’s name appears on one document but not another;
- a married name is used on later documents but not on the degree or birth certificate;
- two translators worked on related documents and each chose a spelling.
Which Spelling the Translation Should Follow
| Translating into | Reference document | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic (for UAE use) | Arabic name on the Emirates ID or residence record | If you have no Emirates ID yet, tell us and we agree one Arabic spelling for the whole file |
| English (for use abroad) | Passport, exactly as printed | Including middle names and the order of names |
| Another language | Passport, plus the receiving country’s convention | Ask the embassy whether it wants the passport spelling kept |
Send your passport and Emirates ID with the documents. They are used only to check spellings, and we apply the same spelling to every document in the file, including documents translated months later if you tell us about the earlier order.
When the Source Documents Disagree
If the documents themselves show different names, the receiving authority will usually want proof that both names belong to the same person. Depending on the country and the authority, that proof can take several forms:
- a corrected or reissued document from the issuing university, registry or authority;
- a “one and the same person” declaration or affidavit, issued or notarised in the home country, or a declaration signed before a UAE notary;
- a certificate or letter from your embassy or consulate confirming both spellings.
A document issued abroad then follows the usual attestation chain (home country, UAE embassy, MOFA) and is translated into Arabic last, so the translation covers every stamp. Our MOFA attestation guide explains the order. Ask the receiving authority which form it accepts before you start: requirements differ between visa, education, notary and court files.
Where Mismatches Cause the Most Trouble
Degree recognition and professional licences
Education and health regulators compare the degree, transcript and passport. See our UAE degree recognition guide.
Family visas
The marriage and birth certificates must link the sponsor to the spouse and children by name.
Notary and powers of attorney
The notary checks the name on the POA, the translation, the passport and the Emirates ID. Our notary public guide lists it as a top reason files stall.
Inheritance and property
An owner or heir spelled two ways across the title deed, will and death certificate slows the estate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the translator just use the passport spelling if my degree is different?
The translator renders the name as the source document shows it, but can note the passport spelling, which many authorities accept for small transliteration differences. A missing or different name is not a transliteration issue and needs a linking document.
My earlier translations used a different Arabic spelling. Do I need new ones?
Only if the authority objects. For new documents, send the earlier translation and we will match it or align everything with your Emirates ID.
How much does a translation with name checking 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. Name checking is included.
Disclaimer
This article is general information and is not legal advice. Each authority sets its own identity requirements; confirm with the receiving body before correcting or reissuing documents.
Get Consistent Translations
Send your documents with your passport and Emirates ID, and we will flag any name mismatch before we translate. 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 54 360 8305), email info@swlt.ae, or use our contact page.