Translating Foreign Documents for Saudi Courts
Bottom line: Arabic is the official language of Saudi courts. When papers written in a foreign language are presented to the court, a certified Arabic translation prepared by a licensed office must be presented. Non-Arabic-speaking litigants, witnesses, and others are heard through an interpreter. Practical scope: The rule concerns foreign-language papers submitted to the court and does not publish a closed list of document types. Review each document in the file, preserve the original or a clear copy, and link the Arabic translation to the relevant document, pages, and annexes. Limits of translation: Certified translation satisfies the language requirement, but it does not by itself determine authenticity, completeness, relevance, legal effect, admissibility, or evidentiary weight. The document type, issuing country, or procedure may raise a separate ratification or authentication question. Do not assume that this step is required for every foreign document, or that translation replaces it. Electronic pathway: The Ministry of Justice has announced Unified Translation Center services through Taqadi to manage and track judicial-translation requests. In each case, follow the requirements of the court and the applicable electronic filing channel.
- Educational documents and certificates
- Powers of attorney and agencies
- Marriage contracts
- Commercial documents
- Letters
- Personal-status documents
- Contracts and delivery records
- Invoices
Identify foreign-language papers: Review the file for each paper written wholly or partly in a foreign language that will be presented to the court, and preserve the original or a clear copy.
Obtain the certified Arabic translation: Obtain an Arabic translation described as certified and prepared by a licensed office rather than relying on an informal party translation.
Link the translation to the document: Keep the original and translation together and map the translation to relevant pages, signatures, invoices, and annexes. The rule does not prescribe a particular layout for this link.
Check ratification or authentication where needed: Separately verify whether the document or procedure calls for an additional step. This question varies by document and procedure and should not be assumed for every foreign court exhibit.
Submit through the applicable channel: File the documents through the applicable court or electronic channel and follow any case-specific request. Unified Translation Center services through Taqadi manage and track judicial-translation requests.
Address the separate proof issues: Be prepared to establish the document's authenticity, relevance, completeness, and legal effect independently, because translation does not resolve those questions.
| Document type | Common use | Note |
|---|---|---|
Do Saudi courts require translation of a foreign-language document?
Yes. A certified Arabic translation prepared by a licensed office must be presented for papers written in a foreign language.
Into which language must the translation be made?
Into Arabic, which is the official language of the courts.
Is an uncertified translation prepared by a party enough?
The rule does not say that an uncertified party translation is sufficient; it requires a certified translation from a licensed office.
Does the rule cover invoices and contracts?
The rule uses the broad expression of papers written in a foreign language. A published commercial case record also discusses English invoices and a contract and delivery record accompanied by translation; this does not create an exclusive list of documents.
Does certified translation make a document admissible and proven?
No. Translation addresses language only; it does not by itself establish authenticity, relevance, admissibility, or evidentiary weight.
Does the law require MOFA ratification of every foreign document?
No. The general translation requirement does not make MOFA ratification mandatory for every foreign court document. Ratification is a separate pathway that may vary by document and procedure.
Can an apostille replace the translation?
The translation requirement does not state that an apostille replaces the requirement for a certified Arabic translation of papers written in a foreign language.
Is there an official published list of licensed translation offices?
Article 23 does not include a list of offices or specify the form of a seal, signature, or declaration. Verify an office's licensing status before relying on it.
Must the translation be made inside Saudi Arabia?
The rule does not specify where the translation must be made. The stated requirement is a certified Arabic translation from a licensed office.
Is there a general exemption for bilingual documents?
The general rule does not publish a blanket exemption for bilingual documents. Check the requirements of the relevant court or procedure.
Is an educational certificate translated the same way in every case?
No. The education procedure cannot be generalized to every case. In a specified non-university certificate-equivalency procedure, certified translation is required for documents issued in languages other than Arabic or English, alongside that procedure's other requirements.
What does MOJ provide for judicial translation?
MOJ has announced Unified Translation Center services through Taqadi to manage and track judicial-translation requests. The announcement does not define every requirement for every case.
Can a non-Arabic-speaking litigant be heard without an interpreter?
The rule states that non-Arabic-speaking litigants, witnesses, and others are heard through an interpreter.
Does Article 23 set a translation deadline or fee?
No. Article 23 does not set a universal translation deadline or fee.
What should I do if I do not know whether additional ratification is needed?
Separate the translation question from the ratification question, then verify the document-, procedure-, and court-specific requirements. Ratification requirements may vary by document and procedure and should not be assumed to be the same for every foreign document.
This guide is for general information and is not legal or consular advice. Always verify current requirements with the receiving authority.