Translating Professional-Company Incorporation Documents
This guide covers translation of Saudi professional-company incorporation documents, or incorporation outputs produced through Saudi procedures, when a recipient needs a version in a language other than Arabic. The Companies Law requires a company’s memorandum of association or bylaws to be in Arabic and permits an accompanying translation into another language. The document name depends on the legal form, so the translator must distinguish a memorandum from bylaws rather than applying one English label without checking the form. The published formation process begins on the Saudi Business Center platform by selecting Company Establishment, choosing the legal form, selecting “Professional” status, completing the service fields, and submitting the application. Partners then authenticate the contract through verification messages; authentication is manual where electronic approval is unavailable. After partner approval, the service-generated invoice is paid, and the incorporation document and Commercial Registration are issued with electronic publication of the contract. Preserve the Arabic version as the governing document and do not present the translation as a replacement unless the receiving authority expressly says so. Names, legal forms, professions, licenses, ownership percentages, capital, managers, dates, and registration numbers must be rendered accurately; mark illegible or missing elements instead of reconstructing them. This guide does not establish that a translation must be certified, notarized, or legalized, and it does not set a named translator, validity period, fee, deadline, file limit, or destination-country acceptance rule. Ask the receiving authority about certification, notarization, legalization, recency, format, and acceptance.
- Professional-company memorandum of association
- Bylaws of a one-person professional limited-liability company, where applicable
- Bylaws of a professional joint-stock company, where this form is selected
- Bylaws of a professional simplified joint-stock company, where this form is selected
- Memorandum of a professional limited-liability company
- Memorandum of a professional general partnership, where this form is selected
- Memorandum of a professional limited partnership, where this form is selected
- Amendment to the memorandum or bylaws
- Commercial Registration issued after formation, when the recipient requests proof of registration
- Profession-practice approvals or licenses connected to formation, where required by the relevant authority or recipient
Identify the legal form and professional status, then determine whether the source is a memorandum or bylaws and what the recipient requests.
On the Saudi Business Center platform, select Company Establishment, choose the legal form, and select “Professional” status.
Complete the service fields and submit the establishment application with the data and documents associated with the selected form.
Partners receive verification messages to authenticate the contract; use manual authentication where electronic approval is unavailable.
After partner approval, pay the service-generated invoice; the incorporation document and Commercial Registration are then issued and the contract is published electronically.
Check applicable licensing, ownership, approval, and professional-independence conditions, then translate the final Arabic version and compare names, numbers, percentages, dates, professions, and licenses before delivery.
| Document type | Common use | Note |
|---|---|---|
What is the statutory language of a company’s memorandum or bylaws?
It must be in Arabic and may be accompanied by a translation into another language.
Does every professional company use a memorandum of association?
The document name depends on the legal form; the Law distinguishes a memorandum from bylaws.
Does a translation replace the Arabic version?
That is not established; the published rule makes Arabic the original document and permits an accompanying translation.
Where does professional-company formation begin?
On the Saudi Business Center platform, using Company Establishment, selecting the form, and choosing “Professional” status.
What happens after the establishment fields are completed?
The application is submitted; partners receive verification messages to authenticate the contract, with manual authentication where electronic approval is unavailable.
What is issued after partner approval and payment?
The incorporation document and Commercial Registration are issued, and the contract is published electronically.
Does an official body publish a professional-company model?
Yes. The Company Contracts page lists a professional LLC memorandum model and a one-person professional LLC bylaws model.
May a professional company be formed by one person?
The regulations permit this for specified professional forms, provided the owner is licensed for the profession or professions comprising the activity.
Can the company practice more than one liberal profession?
Yes, where licensing, compatibility, absence of objection, and other applicable conditions are satisfied.
Why do ownership percentages matter in translation?
They must be rendered exactly. The rules state a 25% minimum Saudi licensed share for participation with a non-Saudi professional company and a general 30% ceiling for a non-licensed participant, subject to the applicable controls.
Is a particular translator required?
This guide does not specify a translator or translator list; confirm any requirement with the receiving authority.
Must the translation be notarized or certified?
No general rule establishes this; confirm the receiving authority’s specific requirements.
Can the Commercial Registration replace the incorporation document in translation?
No. It evidences registration, while the memorandum or bylaws is the incorporation document according to the legal form.
Is there a universal validity period for the translation?
There is no universal validity period; confirm any recency requirement with the receiving authority.
Does translating the document guarantee acceptance in the destination country?
No. Acceptance depends on the receiving authority and its requirements; it should not be promised without that authority’s official statement.
This guide is for general information and is not legal or consular advice. Always verify current requirements with the receiving authority.