Jordanian Documents Translation for UK Visa 2026
Jordan issues all civil documents in Arabic. Jordan is unusual because it has two sets of papers: documents for Jordanian citizens, and documents for Palestinian refugees. The second set comes from UNRWA or from separate Jordanian systems for people of Palestinian origin. This guide explains the main documents, what your translation must show, and how UKVI treats each group.
Jordan's civil registry sits under the Ministry of Interior (وزارة الداخلية), through the Civil Status and Passports Department. Civil documents are issued at governorate level. Jordan joined the Hague Apostille Convention, in force from 15 December 2017. You can get an apostille from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Jordanian Citizen vs Palestinian Refugee Documents
Jordan hosts a large Palestinian refugee population. Some residents of Palestinian origin have full Jordanian citizenship and full Jordanian civil documents. Others only have temporary or limited travel documents and UNRWA registration cards. UKVI treats these two groups differently, so your translation must make clear which type of document it covers. Check that your translator names the document type correctly in the certification statement.
Key Jordanian Documents for UK Visa Translation
عقد قيد الولادة (Birth Registration)
The civil registry issues the Jordanian birth registration (Aqd Qayd al-Wilada). It shows the child's name, date of birth, the parents' names, and national numbers. You need a certified Arabic-to-English translation for any UKVI application that relies on family relationships.
عقد الزواج (Marriage Certificate)
A Jordanian marriage is made at the Islamic sharia court (محكمة شرعية) and then recorded by the civil registry. The sharia court issues the marriage contract (عقد الزواج), and the civil registry registers it. UKVI may ask for both, and both need a certified translation.
الهوية الوطنية / الحوية (National ID Card)
Every Jordanian citizen gets a national identity card (Hawiyye). It shows the holder's full name, national number, date of birth, and place of origin, all in Arabic. You need a certified translation to use it as identity evidence for a UK visa.
دفتر العائلة (Family Booklet)
The Jordanian family booklet (Daftar al-'A'ila) lists everyone in the household, how they are related, and their civil events. People often send it with individual birth and marriage certificates to prove family links. UKVI needs a certified translation of every page that matters.
UNRWA Documents (Palestinian Refugees)
UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) issues registration cards and family registration papers to Palestinian refugees registered in Jordan. They are in Arabic, and for some applicants they are the only civil papers they have. Send UKVI a certified translation, plus a covering letter that explains what the documents are.
Apostille (Jordan since 2016)
Jordan joined the Apostille Convention, in force from 15 December 2017. You can get an apostille for civil documents from the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You still need a certified English translation on top of that. UKVI wants a full certified translation even when the document is apostilled.
Costs and Turnaround
| Service | Turnaround | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Translation | 24 hours | From £17.99/page |
| Rush Translation | 8 hours | From £29.99/page |
Frequently Asked Questions
I am of Palestinian origin and hold a UNRWA registration card rather than a full Jordanian birth certificate. Will UKVI accept this?
UKVI looks at Palestinian refugee papers case by case. Send your UNRWA registration documents with a certified Arabic-to-English translation. Add a covering letter that explains your civil status and why you do not have a standard Jordanian civil document. UKVI caseworkers can accept other evidence in genuine cases.
My Jordanian marriage was contracted through a sharia court. Does UKVI recognise this for a UK spouse visa?
Yes. UKVI recognises Islamic marriages made in Jordan through the sharia court system, as long as the marriage was registered with the civil registry. Send the sharia court marriage contract (عقد الزواج) with a certified Arabic-to-English translation. If you also have the civil registration, send that as well.
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Translate Your Jordanian Documents
Certified Arabic-to-English translation from £17.99/page. Birth certificates, marriage contracts, family booklets, and UNRWA documents. 24-hour delivery available.
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