The cost of translation in Dubai depends on several factors, but you can expect to pay between AED 120 and 200 per page for certified legal documents. The final cost of translation varies based on language complexity, urgency, and document technicality. In this article, you will learn about translation charges in Dubai, the factors that affect them, and the average rates for some documents.
Language pair complexity, document volume, certification and turnaround time are some factors that affect legal translation in Dubai. Here is a breakdown of the key factors that influence costs:
Not all language combinations cost the same. English-Arabic translations, which are Dubai’s most common pairing, typically fall at the lower end of pricing scales due to high translator availability. However, rare language pairs command premium rates:
The scarcity of qualified translators for uncommon language pairs directly impacts pricing.
Legal translation requires more than linguistic fluency; it demands subject matter expertise. A marriage certificate translation is straightforward compared to a 50-page merger agreement with jurisdiction-specific clauses.
The standard turnaround time for legal translations in Dubai is 2–5 business days, depending on volume. Rush services carry significant premiums:
Our approach at Legal Translator: We maintain a network of pre-vetted legal translators across multiple specializations, allowing us to accommodate urgent requests without compromising quality. However, we always recommend allowing adequate time; rushed translations increase the risk of oversight, and in legal contexts, accuracy should never be sacrificed for speed.
The level of official recognition required significantly impacts cost:
Each certification level adds processing time and cost. MOJ certification typically costs AED 50-150 per document, depending on the agency.
Bulk orders often qualify for volume discounts, particularly for ongoing corporate needs:
Documents with complex layouts require additional work:
Experience and specialization matter in legal translation. While cheaper options exist, MOJ-certified agencies with proven track records in legal translation typically charge more, and for good reason. Legal translation errors can have serious consequences, from rejected visa applications to voided contracts.
Based on current market rates, here’s what you can expect to pay for professional translation services in Dubai:
| Type of translation | AED/Word | AED/Page | Notes |
| General documents | 0.30–0.50 | 70 – 120 | Business emails, reports, articles |
| Legal documents | 0.50–1.00 | 120 – 200 | Contracts, court documents, legal correspondence |
| Medical documents | 0.60–1.20 | 130 – 220 | Patient records, research papers, clinical trials |
| Technical documents | 0.50–1.00 | 120 – 180 | Engineering manuals, specifications, and technical reports |
| Certified translation | N/A | 75 – 200 | Includes official stamp/signature; required for government submission |
| Website/Marketing | 0.40–0.80 | Custom | Localization adapted for the Dubai/UAE audience |
Note: Most agencies price legal documents by the page (typically 200 – 250 words per page) rather than per word. Rush services add 20-50% to these base rates.
At Legal Translator, we believe in transparent, predictable pricing. Our certified legal translation services start at AED 197 per page for standard turnaround, with clear quotes provided upfront. No hidden fees, no surprises. For high-volume clients, we offer customized pricing structures that provide better value while maintaining our quality standards.
Dubai’s diverse expat population and thriving business environment create constant demand for document translation. The standard documents translated in Dubai include birth certificates, academic transcripts, business documents, police clearance certificates and medical records.
Dubai’s multicultural makeup creates demand for translation across dozens of languages, though some language pairs dominate the market:
The most requested translation pair in Dubai is given Arabic’s status as the official language and English as the business lingua franca. Rates are most competitive for this pairing due to high translator availability. Learn more about our Arabic translation services.
With large Indian and Pakistani expat communities, South Asian language translations are in constant demand, particularly for personal documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and educational credentials. Explore our Hindi translation services and Urdu translation services.
The significant Filipino population in Dubai creates steady demand for Tagalog translations, especially for employment contracts, educational documents, and legal paperwork. View our Tagalog translation options.
South Indian language translations are commonly requested for both personal documents and business communications as Dubai’s South Indian community grows. Check our Malayalam translation services.
Chinese businesses investing in Dubai and Chinese nationals relocating here drive demand for Mandarin translation, particularly for business contracts and immigration documents. Due to linguistic complexity and a shortage of qualified translators, Chinese translations typically cost 30–50% more than Arabic-English translations. Learn about our Chinese translation services.
European language translations serve Dubai’s international business community and European expat population, with particular demand in real estate, legal, and corporate sectors. We provide Russian translation, French translation, and German translation services.
Asian business ties with Dubai create a niche demand for Japanese and Korean legal and business translation, typically commanding premium rates due to specialized translator requirements.
Note: Pricing for these languages varies based on translator availability and document complexity, with common pairings (Arabic-English, Hindi-English) at standard rates and rare combinations (Tagalog-Japanese, Malayalam-French) commanding significant premiums.
The legal document translation process in Dubai involves multiple stages, including submission, translation, paying fees and receiving a translated version
The process begins when you submit your documents, either by visiting an agency in person (the traditional approach) or by uploading them through an online portal (increasingly common in Dubai). The agency reviews the documents to assess:
Based on this assessment, you receive a detailed quote and estimated turnaround time.
Your document is assigned to a qualified translator with relevant expertise. For legal documents, this should be an MOJ-certified translator with legal specialization. At Legal Translator, we only assign legal documents to translators with formal legal training or extensive legal translation experience to ensure accuracy.
The translator completes the initial translation, maintaining the original document’s meaning, tone, and legal implications. For legal documents, this includes proper rendering of legal terminology, preservation of clause structure, and attention to jurisdiction-specific language.
After translation, the document undergoes proofreading for grammar, spelling, and stylistic consistency. For documents requiring specific formatting (tables, letterheads, official forms), Desktop Publishing (DTP) specialists recreate the layout in the target language.
For certified translations, the translated document receives:
Some documents require additional authentication through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) or embassy attestation for international use.
Final documents are delivered electronically (PDF), via courier, or for pick-up at the agency office. At Legal Translator, Dubai, we offer fully digital processes and can deliver hard copies with original stamps if required by the government departments. Our online system provides real-time project tracking, instant quotes, and 24/7 document upload capability, particularly valuable for international clients or urgent deadlines.
While quality should never be compromised for legal documents, several strategies can help reduce legal translation charges in Dubai without sacrificing accuracy:
Submit documents in editable formats (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) rather than scanned PDFs. Scanned documents require OCR (Optical Character Recognition), adding AED 100-300 to your costs and increasing turnaround time. If you only have scanned copies, ensure they’re high-resolution and clearly legible.
If you have several documents requiring translation, submit them together as one project. Many agencies offer volume discounts of 10–25% for bulk orders. Even unrelated documents can often be bundled to reach discount thresholds.
Rush translation services cost 20–100% more than standard turnaround. Whenever possible, submit documents well in advance of your deadline. For predictable needs like annual license renewals, regular contract translations, establish relationships with agencies for better planning and pricing.
Not all documents need MOJ certification. Personal reference copies or internal business documents don’t require official stamps. Clarify with the receiving authority exactly what level of certification they require. You might save AED 50-150 per document by avoiding unnecessary certification.
For general business correspondence, emails, or basic internal documents that do not require legal accuracy, consider post-edited machine translation (PEMT), where machine translation is refined by human translators. This hybrid approach can reduce costs by 30-50% for appropriate content types. However, never use this approach for legal contracts, court documents, or anything requiring MOJ certification.
If your business has ongoing translation needs, negotiate retainer agreements or corporate packages with preferred agencies. These arrangements typically provide 15–25% savings, priority service, and consistent quality through dedicated translators familiar with your terminology and preferences.
While getting multiple quotes is prudent, don’t automatically choose the cheapest option for legal documents. A translation error that invalidates a contract or causes visa rejection ultimately costs far more than the savings from discount services. Focus on certified, experienced providers with proven legal translation credentials.
Selecting a translation agency is a critical decision, especially for legal documents where accuracy has real-world consequences. Here’s what to evaluate:
For legal documents requiring government submission, ensure your provider employs MOJ-certified translators. This certification is mandatory for courts, immigration authorities, and most government departments in Dubai.
Legal translation requires more than language skills; it demands legal knowledge. Look for agencies with demonstrated experience in your specific document type and field.
Check online reviews, testimonials, and case studies to see how long the agency has operated in Dubai. It will also help you know if they work with reputable law firms, corporate legal departments, or government entities.
Ask about their quality control procedures and whether they implement peer review, where a second translator checks the translation work. Professional agencies should clearly explain their quality processes.
Confirm if they can meet your deadline and have capacity for both routine and urgent requests. You can check their track record for on-time delivery through reviews.
Responsive, clear communication matters. During the quote process, assess how quickly they respond, how clearly they explain their process, and whether they proactively ask questions to understand your specific requirements.
We specialize in certified legal translation with MOJ-accredited translators who have extensive experience across multiple legal domains. Our quality assurance process includes mandatory peer review for all legal documents, and we maintain a 98.5% on-time delivery record. With a comprehensive online platform and 24/7 customer support, you experience the flexibility and reliability your legal translation needs demand. Request a free quote for legal translation services.
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