Official documents submitted for use in the State of Kuwait must comply with specific language and translation requirements to be legally valid before Kuwaiti authorities. These requirements apply to individuals, businesses, and institutions presenting foreign-issued documents for civil, educational, commercial, or legal purposes. This guidance outlines the official standards governing translation, language use, and procedural compliance.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

Arabic is the official language of the State of Kuwait and the sole language used in government administration, legislation, and judicial proceedings. As a result:

• Kuwaiti ministries, courts, and public authorities require documents to be submitted in Arabic.

• Documents issued in foreign languages must be accompanied by a legally acceptable Arabic translation.

• Language requirements apply in parallel with document authentication and legalization procedures governed by Kuwaiti consular regulations.

Documents that do not meet these standards may not be accepted for official use.

Role of the Embassy of the State of Kuwait

The Embassy of the State of Kuwait is responsible for the legalization of documents intended for use in Kuwait, in accordance with applicable consular procedures. While the embassy does not provide translation services, it verifies that:

• Required Arabic translations are present

• Translations are properly executed and attached to the original documents

• All documents have been authenticated by the competent authorities prior to legalization

The embassy’s role is limited to verification and legalization and does not extend to linguistic interpretation.

Language Requirements for Documents Used in Kuwait

Arabic Language Requirement

• All documents submitted to Kuwaiti authorities must be in Arabic.

• Foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a complete and accurate Arabic translation.

Bilingual Documents

• Documents issued in both Arabic and another language may be accepted if the Arabic text is complete.

• In the event of discrepancies, the Arabic version prevails for legal and administrative purposes.

Translation Standards and Formal Requirements

Arabic translations must be:

• Complete and literal, without omissions or summaries

• Consistent with the original document in names, dates, and official terminology

• Prepared by a qualified or certified translator in the country of origin

• Signed and stamped by the translator or translation office, where applicable

Translations must be securely attached to the original document or a certified copy.

Documents Requiring Arabic Translation

Translation requirements apply to, but are not limited to:

• Personal and civil documents: birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates

• Educational documents: diplomas, degrees, and academic transcripts

• Commercial documents: powers of attorney, contracts, certificates of incorporation

• Legal documents: court judgments, notarized agreements, sworn statements

Procedural Order: Translation and Legalization

The correct procedural sequence is as follows:

1. Issuance of the document by the competent authority

2. Translation into Arabic by a qualified translator

3. Authentication by relevant local authorities

4. Legalization by the Embassy of the State of Kuwait

5. Submission to Kuwaiti authorities

Translations must be completed before embassy legalization.

Compliance Notes

• Names must be transliterated into Arabic consistently across all documents

• Discrepancies between original and translated texts may result in rejection

• Inaccurate terminology or missing translator certification may delay processing

Careful compliance with language requirements ensures legal acceptance in Kuwait.