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Who needs French translation in the UAE
French is an official or everyday language of documents from France, Belgium, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Canada (Québec), from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Lebanon, and from much of West and Central Africa, including Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire and Cameroon. Residents from these countries bring French documents to UAE authorities, which work in Arabic, so the documents need a certified translation before they can be filed.
Which translation do you need?
| Translation | When you need it |
|---|---|
| French to Arabic | UAE courts, notaries public, ICP and GDRFA residency files, MoHRE and most government departments. Arabic is the language these authorities file in, so this is the translation most French documents need in the UAE. |
| French to English | Employers, banks, schools and universities that work in English, when they confirm that English is acceptable. |
| Arabic to French | UAE-issued documents for use in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada or North Africa, for example UAE birth and marriage certificates, Emirates ID and court judgments. |
Not sure which one you need? Tell us where the document is going and we will advise before you pay.
French documents and where they are used in the UAE
| French document | What it is | Usually needed for | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acte de naissance | Birth certificate (full or extract) | Residency visa and family sponsorship (ICP, GDRFA), school enrolment | French to Arabic |
| Acte de mariage, livret de famille | Marriage certificate, family record book | Spouse visa, family sponsorship, family court files, notary | French to Arabic |
| Diplôme, relevé de notes | Degree certificate, academic transcript | Employment and residency files, degree equivalency, professional licensing | French to Arabic or English |
| Extrait de casier judiciaire | Police clearance certificate | Residency and employment applications | French to Arabic |
| Procuration | Power of attorney | Notary public, property transactions, banks, courts | French to Arabic |
| Jugement, décision de justice | Court judgment, for example divorce or custody | UAE courts, enforcement and family files | French to Arabic |
| Contrat de travail, attestation de travail | Employment contract, experience letter | Employment and residency files, MoHRE | French to Arabic or English |
| Permis de conduire | Driving licence | Driving licence conversion (RTA) | French to Arabic |
What matters when translating French documents
- Names with accents, hyphens and particles (é, ç, de, Le) must match the spelling in your passport and Emirates ID. Send a passport copy with the document.
- French civil-status extracts can carry marginal notes (mentions marginales) recording a marriage, divorce or name change. They are part of the document and are translated too.
- French legal terms with no direct UAE equivalent, such as acte authentique or livret de famille, are translated by their legal function, not word for word.
- French date order, month names and amounts written as 1 250,00 € are converted carefully, so dates and figures match the original exactly.
- Stamps, seals and any apostille or legalisation certificate attached to the document are translated with it.
- Documents from Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Lebanon are often bilingual French and Arabic. The translator checks that both versions agree and translates the French parts.
Attestation before or after translation
Documents issued abroad usually need attestation of the original before translation, and some authorities then require the translation itself to be attested. The order depends on the authority, so tell us where the document is going and we will say which order applies.
How much does French translation cost?
- French to Arabic, Arabic to French, French to English
- AED 45–100+ per page
- Several documents or a long document
- Lower price per page
The exact price depends on the document and the number of pages. Send your document on WhatsApp and you get the price and delivery time before any work starts. See all prices.
How to order
- Send your documentSend your document on WhatsApp to +971 55 947 4486, with your passport copy for name spelling.
- Say where it is goingTell us the authority, so we confirm French to Arabic or French to English, and whether attestation is needed.
- Confirm and receive it onlineYou get the exact price and delivery time first. The certified, stamped translation arrives as a PDF.
French translation questions
Do you translate French to Arabic in Dubai?
Yes. French to Arabic, Arabic to French and French to English translation is certified and stamped by a UAE Ministry of Justice licensed sworn translator and delivered online. Send your document on WhatsApp at +971 55 947 4486.
Is a certified French to Arabic translation accepted by UAE authorities?
Certified translations by a UAE Ministry of Justice licensed sworn translator are prepared for UAE courts, notaries and government departments. Supporting documents and attestation requirements remain with the receiving authority, so tell us where the document is going.
How much does French translation cost in Dubai?
French translation costs AED 45 to 100+ per page, depending on the document and the number of pages. Send your document on WhatsApp at +971 55 947 4486 and you get the exact price before any work starts.
Do I need French to Arabic or French to English?
UAE courts, notaries and most government departments need Arabic. Some employers, banks, schools and universities that work in English may accept English. Check with the receiving authority, or tell us where the document is going and we will advise.
Can you translate Arabic documents into French?
Yes. UAE birth and marriage certificates, Emirates ID and court judgments can be translated from Arabic to French for use in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada or North Africa.
Does my French document need attestation first?
It depends on the authority. Documents issued abroad usually need attestation of the original before translation, and some authorities then require the translation itself to be attested. Tell us where the document is going and we will say which order applies.
Do you translate bilingual French and Arabic documents from Morocco, Algeria or Tunisia?
Yes. The translator checks that the French and Arabic versions agree and translates the French parts, so the certified translation matches the full original.
Do I need to visit an office?
No. Send your document on WhatsApp or by email, and the certified translation is delivered online. There is no office visit.
Related pages
Get a price for your French document
Send your document and say which authority it is for. You get the price and delivery time before any work starts.