Frequently asked questions

A certified translation is a complete and accurate translation accompanied by a signed and stamped statement confirming that it faithfully reflects the original. Many authorities in Qatar and abroad only accept translations certified in this way.

Requirements differ between ministries, courts and institutions. Tell us where you will submit the document and we will prepare the translation and certification in the format that authority asks for, and advise on any additional attestation.

It is the certification by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs that confirms a document's previous seal or signature is genuine, so that it can be relied upon by authorities in Qatar or, for Qatari documents, by foreign embassies.

No. Qatar has not joined the Apostille Convention, so documents going to Qatar need consular legalization by the Embassy of Qatar in the issuing country followed by MOFA attestation, rather than an apostille.

An apostille is a single certificate used between member countries of the 1961 Hague Convention. Legalization is a multi-step process ending with an embassy or consulate stamp, used when one of the countries involved is not a member – as is the case for Qatar.

We handle legalization for most embassies and consulates represented in Qatar, and for Qatari embassies abroad through our international network. Contact us with your destination and we will confirm the route.

Qatar is not a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents for use in Qatar generally need legalization by the Embassy of Qatar in the issuing country and attestation by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

No. An apostille can only be issued by the country where the document originates, and only if that country is a member. Qatari documents are legalized through MOFA Qatar and the destination country's embassy instead.

A certified true copy is a photocopy of an original document that an authorised official has compared with the original and certified as identical. It lets you submit a copy while keeping your original.

Yes. We draft bilingual powers of attorney, arrange notarization and complete the legalization steps required by the destination country.

The terms are often used interchangeably, but authorities differ in who they accept as certifier. We check the requirement for your destination before certifying.

In many cases, yes. A certified copy can often be attested or apostilled so that it can be used abroad without sending the original.

Yes. After signing and notarization in Qatar, the POA is typically attested by Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then legalized by the destination country's embassy.

A POA signed abroad generally needs to be legalized by the Embassy of Qatar in that country, attested by MOFA Qatar and translated into Arabic.

We work with authorities in many countries through our international offices and partners. Tell us the issuing country and document type and we will confirm availability and timing.

Usually a copy of your ID or passport, a signed authorization and the details that identify the record, such as date and place of registration.

In consecutive interpreting the speaker pauses and the interpreter renders each segment afterwards – ideal for meetings. In simultaneous interpreting the interpreter speaks at the same time, usually from a booth with equipment – ideal for conferences.

As early as possible, especially for simultaneous interpreting or rare languages. We also handle short-notice requests whenever an interpreter is available.