Notary Rejected Your Translated Document? Causes and Fixes
The Short Answer
A UAE notary does not check whether your contract is a good deal. It checks who is signing, whether they can sign, and whether the file in front of it is complete and consistent. When a translated document comes back, the reason is usually one of a small number of defects in the translation or in the papers behind it, and most of them can be fixed in a day or two.
Dubai Courts expects non-Arabic documents to carry a legal translation certified by the UAE Ministry of Justice, and the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) expects a certified translator’s translation with the translator’s licence card attached. This article covers the translation side. For the other reasons a file is returned (wrong emirate or channel, capacity, fees, private notary limits), see our notary public guide for the UAE.
Seven Translation Defects That Get Files Returned
These are the problems we see most often when clients bring us a file that a notary has already returned:
| Defect | What the notary sees | The fix |
|---|---|---|
| Translator not licensed by the MOJ | A stamp from a general translation office or a foreign translator, or no licence card | Re-translate and certify by an MOJ-licensed legal translator, stamped and signed |
| Partial translation | The body is translated, but seals, apostille or legalisation certificates, handwritten notes or back pages are not | Translate everything on every page, describing each stamp and signature in brackets |
| Names that do not match the ID | The Arabic spelling differs from the Emirates ID, or the English from the passport | Reconcile every name against the ID documents. See name spelling mismatches |
| Vague powers in a POA | A general power used for a sale, mortgage or transfer that has to be spelled out | Re-draft the powers specifically, ideally as a bilingual power of attorney |
| Source never legalised | A foreign document translated before it was attested | Attest the original first (MOFA attestation guide), then translate the whole attested document |
| Wrong version translated | Page count, dates or clauses differ between the signed original and the translation | Translate the final signed version, and include the date and page count in the certification |
| Number and date errors | Passport, ID, licence or plot numbers, amounts or dates that differ from the original | Check every figure line by line, and write amounts in figures and words as in the original |
The English Bureau in Abu Dhabi
Since October 2023, ADJD’s English Notary Services Bureau (Decision No. 38 of 2023) notarises English-language contracts, declarations, settlement agreements, powers of attorney, signature authentications and corporate resolutions without an Arabic translation. If your document fits, you may not need a translation at the notary at all.
There is a catch. If the document will later be used before an Arabic-language court or authority, or in another emirate, an Arabic version will be needed then. For anything with legal consequences, a bilingual document signed and notarised once is often the cleaner route. See certified vs notarised vs attested translation for how the three steps fit together.
What to Do After a Rejection
1. Keep the notary’s note
The reason the notary or the e-service gives is the starting point. Screenshot or save it before you change anything.
2. Send us the whole file
Send the original document, any attestation certificates, the rejected translation, the ID copies of every party and the rejection note. We check the translation and the chain behind it, not only the line the notary flagged.
3. Correct or re-issue the translation
If our own translation needs a correction, we re-issue the corrected certified translation. If the translation came from elsewhere, we usually translate afresh, because we can only certify a translation we produced.
4. Resubmit through the right channel
Book again with the same notary or channel, or, in Abu Dhabi, consider the English bureau. If you want the notarisation handled for you, our legal partner can arrange it; see notary document preparation.
Checklist Before You Book the Notary
Five minutes with this list saves most second appointments:
- The translation is by an MOJ-licensed translator, stamped and signed, with the licence card if ADJD asks for it.
- Every page is translated, including stamps, endorsements and the attestation certificates.
- Names, ID numbers and dates match the passport and Emirates ID exactly.
- The powers in a POA name the property, account or transaction they cover.
- Foreign documents were legalised in the country of origin and attested in the UAE before translation.
- The translation is of the final signed version, with the same page count.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you guarantee the notary will accept my document?
No one can. The notary decides. What we do is check the file against the notary’s stated requirements before you book, which removes the most common reasons for a return.
Will a UAE notary accept a translation made abroad?
Usually not. Dubai Courts expects a translation certified by the UAE Ministry of Justice, and ADJD expects a certified translator’s translation with the licence card. A translation made abroad is normally redone in the UAE.
Do I need Arabic if every party speaks English?
Usually yes, because the notary system works in Arabic. The exception is Abu Dhabi’s English Notary Services Bureau for the document types it accepts.
Does SWLT notarise documents?
No. We translate and certify. Notarisation is done by the notary, and our legal partner can arrange it for you.
How much does a corrected translation cost?
A new or corrected translation is quoted per page. 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.
Disclaimer
This article is general information about legal translation and notarisation practice. It is not legal advice, and notary requirements change. Confirm the current requirements with the notary or authority handling your transaction.
Get the File Right Before the Next Appointment
Send the document, the rejected translation and the notary’s note, and we will tell you what needs fixing. 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.