Government Translation Services in Cairo: Certified Guide
Certified legal translation of contracts, court papers and official records
Government bodies on both sides – Egyptian ministries and courts, and foreign embassies and authorities – need translations they can rely on. Government translation services provide certified translations of official records, court papers and contracts, prepared in the format these bodies expect. This guide explains which documents are involved, how legalisation fits in, and how to prepare.
Who needs government translation?
- Individuals submitting foreign documents to Egyptian authorities – for example marriage registration, residence or inheritance.
- Egyptians using Egyptian records abroad – degrees, civil status certificates, court rulings.
- Companies registering branches, bidding for public tenders or responding to regulators.
- Law firms filing translated evidence and judgments.
- Public bodies communicating with foreign partners and international organisations.
Common documents
| Direction | Examples |
|---|---|
| Foreign to Arabic (for Egyptian authorities) | Foreign birth and marriage certificates, degrees, certificates of incorporation, powers of attorney, court decisions |
| Arabic to foreign (for use abroad) | Egyptian civil status extracts, degrees, police certificates, commercial registers, judgments |
| Bilingual | Contracts with public entities, tender documents, memoranda of understanding |
Translation and legalisation: the usual sequence
Egypt is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents move between countries by consular legalisation. Typical sequences are:
- Egyptian document for use abroad: obtain the official document; authenticate it at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; have it translated (certified); then legalise at the destination embassy if required. Some embassies, such as Germany's, specify who may translate – the German legalisation service in Cairo is one example.
- Foreign document for Egyptian authorities: legalise in the issuing country and at the Egyptian embassy or consulate there; authenticate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Egypt if required; then obtain a certified Arabic translation.
The order can vary by authority, so ask the receiving office before you start.
What makes a translation acceptable to officials
- Complete translation of every page, including stamps, seals and annotations.
- Names exactly as in passports or registered records.
- Formal register and the structure of the original preserved.
- Certification statement, stamp, signature and date of the translation office.
- A copy of the source document attached.
Translations for public tenders and regulators
Companies dealing with public entities often submit translated company documents, financial statements and technical offers. These files are usually large and bound to fixed deadlines, so plan translation alongside the rest of the bid. Agree one spelling for the company name and one set of technical terms across all documents, and keep certified and editable versions so later clarifications can be answered quickly. Our legal translation services cover contracts and corporate records for these submissions.
Preparing your file
Bring or send clear scans, list the authority and purpose, and allow time for legalisation steps that happen before or after translation. For legal documents in particular, read what legal translation involves, and see our service page for government documents. Embassy-specific guidance is in certified translation for embassies in Cairo.
Frequently asked questions
Do Egyptian ministries accept translations from private offices?
Many accept certified translations from established offices. Some procedures have specific requirements, so check with the ministry or your lawyer first.
Is an apostille accepted in Egypt?
Egypt is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so foreign documents generally need consular legalisation instead. Confirm with the receiving authority.
Should I translate before or after legalisation?
It depends on the authority. Often the original is legalised first; sometimes the translation is legalised too. Follow the receiving office's instructions.
Can you translate court judgments for use abroad?
Yes, with certified translation by legal linguists. The judgment itself may also need authentication and legalisation.
Get your government documents translated
Tell us which authority will receive your documents. We will advise on the usual sequence, then translate, review and certify.
- WhatsApp / phone: +20 111 176 0177
- Email: Operation@cottranslation.com
- Branches in Maadi, Downtown Cairo and Mohandessin – addresses and opening hours on our contact page.
Note: This article is general information, not legal advice, and reflects procedures as of the last-updated date above. Ministries, courts and embassies can change their requirements, so confirm with the receiving authority before submitting.