Right-to-left script, names and dates
Arabic is written right to left and most vowels are not shown. The same name can therefore appear in Latin script as Muhammad, Mohammed or Muhammet. For official procedures, the spelling in the person’s passport or in documents issued in Türkiye (residence permit, foreign ID number) is what counts. Include the passport’s identity page when you send the document.
Documents from some Arab countries may contain Hijri calendar dates and Eastern Arabic numerals (١، ٢، ٣). Dates are rendered faithfully to the source calendar, with the Gregorian equivalent added where needed. Text inside seals and stamps is part of the translation too.
Who needs Arabic documents translated?
Citizens of Arab countries living in Türkiye have Arabic documents from their home country translated into Turkish for residence permits, marriage, registering a child and school enrolment. People using a diploma from an Arab country to apply for recognition or university admission in Türkiye also have their diploma and transcript translated.
In the other direction, Turkish citizens taking jobs in the Gulf may need their diploma, criminal record and employment contract translated into Arabic. Some Gulf states are not parties to the Apostille Convention; there, documents may need a chain of consular and foreign ministry certification. Ask your employer or the relevant consulate in writing which steps apply.
Common documents in Arabic translation
| Document | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Passport, birth certificate, family register | Residence permit, registering a child |
| Marriage contract or marriage certificate | Registering the marriage in Türkiye, family residence |
| Diploma and transcript | Recognition by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), school or university enrolment |
| Criminal record, diploma, employment contract (Turkish into Arabic) | Work visas for Gulf countries |
| Trade registry record, power of attorney | Business with partners or buyers in Arab countries |
Who decides the certification requirement?
Whether an Arabic translation must be certified or notarized is decided by the institution that receives it: in Türkiye the migration authority, civil registry office or university; abroad the relevant ministry, employer or consulate. If the source document needs an apostille or consular certification in its country of origin, that step must come before the translation. See certified translation and notarized translation for the difference.
Frequently asked questions
My name is spelled differently in my passport. Which spelling is used?
Official procedures usually go by the Latin spelling in the passport. If you have a residence permit issued in Türkiye, send that too and we will use the spelling consistently.
Can a document with Hijri dates be translated?
Yes. The date is rendered in the source calendar, and the Gregorian equivalent is added if the institution asks for it.
Should I translate my documents into Arabic or English for a job in the Gulf?
That depends on the employer and the country. Some institutions accept English, others want Arabic. Get the written list from your employer and share it with us.
This guide is for general information. Confirm the document and certification requirements for your application with the relevant institution, and include the current list of requirements in your translation request.