The Power of Certified Translation Services in Egypt – COT Translation

Certified Translation Services in Egypt and Beyond: 2026 Guide

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Certified translation of official documents for embassies and government entities in Egypt

Last updated: 21 October 2026 · Written and reviewed by: the certified translation team at COT – Consulting Office for Translation, certified translators in Egypt since 1992

Certified translation is the bridge between documents issued in one country and authorities in another. In Egypt, it works in two directions: Egyptian documents translated for embassies, universities and employers abroad, and foreign documents translated into Arabic for Egyptian ministries, courts and companies. This guide explains how each direction works, how legalisation fits in and how to avoid paying twice.

Direction 1: Egyptian documents going abroad

Students, workers, families and companies take Egyptian documents abroad every day. A typical path is:

  1. Obtain a recent original (for example a computerised birth certificate or university transcript).
  2. Authenticate it at the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs if the destination requires it.
  3. Translate it into the required language with a certified translation office.
  4. Legalise it at the destination country's embassy in Cairo, or submit it with your application.

Egypt is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so Egyptian documents cannot be apostilled; they are legalised instead. Several destination countries – including Saudi Arabia (since December 2022) and Canada (since January 2024) – have joined the Convention, but that only affects documents they issue, not documents issued in Egypt.

Direction 2: Foreign documents arriving in Egypt

Expats, returning Egyptians and foreign companies often need foreign documents accepted in Egypt – marriage certificates, degrees, powers of attorney, company documents. Usually:

  1. The document is certified in the issuing country and then by the Egyptian embassy or consulate there.
  2. It is authenticated by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Egypt.
  3. It is translated into Arabic by a certified translation office for the Egyptian authority.

Our government translation services cover these Arabic translations for Egyptian bodies.

Certified, sworn and notarised: what the terms mean

  • Certified translation: a complete translation stamped by a translation office with a statement of accuracy – the standard for most authorities in Egypt.
  • Sworn translation: made by a translator sworn before a court in some countries (for example in parts of Europe). Some foreign authorities ask for it.
  • Notarised translation: the translator's signature is witnessed by a notary. Required by a few authorities, such as for some affidavits.

For details, read what a certified translation is and when it is required.

Choosing the right translation partner

  • Experience with the specific authority or embassy you are dealing with.
  • Specialist translators for legal, medical, academic or technical documents.
  • Consistent spelling of names across all documents.
  • Clear quotes, delivery dates and a review step.
  • The ability to serve you remotely if you live abroad.

Our guide on how to choose the best translation agency has a full checklist.

Serving clients beyond Egypt

COT has three branches in Cairo and Giza and no offices abroad, but clients in the Gulf, Europe and North America send us documents by WhatsApp and email every week. We return soft copies by email and stamped hard copies by courier. See our pages for clients in Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a certified translation without visiting your office?

Yes. Send scans online; collect originals at a branch or receive them by courier.

Will a translation made in Egypt be accepted abroad?

Often yes, especially by embassies in Cairo, but each foreign authority has its own rules. Check before ordering.

Does a certified translation expire?

No, but many authorities require recent source documents, so you may need a new translation of a newly issued certificate.

Start your certified translation

Send your documents and tell us where they will be used:

Note: the information in this article is accurate as of the last-updated date above. Embassies, universities and authorities can change their requirements at any time, so always confirm the current rules on the official website of the receiving authority before you submit your documents.

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