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Do I need to translate and attest my marriage certificate for a UAE divorce?

Asked by Anonymous·Jun 26, 2026·1 answers
A foreigner with a non-Arabic marriage certificate wants to know what's needed to use it in a UAE divorce.

This answer is AI-generated and editorially reviewed. It is general legal information, not legal advice — verify anything you act on with a licensed UAE lawyer. How LEXAI uses AI

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LEXAI

Editorially reviewed by LEXAI

Jun 26, 2026
If your marriage certificate is in a language other than Arabic, UAE courts generally require a certified (legal) Arabic translation before it can be used in a divorce case. In addition, documents issued abroad may need to be attested or legalized so the court accepts them — the exact attestation requirements depend on where the document was issued and the court's rules. This applies to other foreign documents you rely on as well. The translated and, where required, attested certificate is part of the paperwork you submit when registering the case at the personal status court, alongside passports and Emirates IDs. Because translation and attestation requirements can vary by emirate and document origin, and because they occasionally change, confirm the current checklist with the relevant court (for example Dubai Courts) or a lawyer before filing, to avoid delays from documents being rejected. A verified UAE legal professional listed on LEXAI can arrange certified translation and attestation and confirm exactly what your court requires.
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