In short:
- We serve Khobar, Dammam and Dhahran from one branch in Khobar. There is no separate branch in Dammam.
- You can place the whole order on WhatsApp, which is open 24/7.
- You receive a stamped, signed e-copy on WhatsApp, plus a printed copy you collect from the branch.
- Iqamas, driving licences, ID cards and passport data pages are usually ready in about an hour.
Dammam and Khobar look close on the map, but anyone who has driven King Fahd Road or the Dhahran Highway at rush hour knows that a “quick trip” can easily become half an hour each way, before you even start hunting for parking. Driving across just to hand over one page for translation can eat a good part of your day.
The good news is that most requests for a certified translation online from Dammam or Dhahran can be handled with at most one visit to the branch, and sometimes none at all if the electronic copy is enough for you. Here is how it works, step by step.
Where exactly are we?
Our Khobar branch is our only branch in the Eastern Province:
Office 205, 2nd Floor, Building 4, SQ Towers, Cooperation Council Road, Al Khuzama, Al Khobar.
Walk-in hours are Sunday to Thursday, 10:00 to 16:00. WhatsApp is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for new orders and questions. We mention this clearly because some people search for a translation office in Dammam and expect to find us there. We serve Dammam from Khobar.
How to order on WhatsApp
1. Photograph the document clearly
Lay the document flat in good light and capture every page in full, without cutting off the edges. If you have a PDF from the issuing authority, that is even better. For two-sided documents, send both sides.
2. Send a copy of your passport
This lets us spell names exactly as they appear in your passport. It prevents the most common problem we see: the same name spelled two different ways across two documents.
3. Tell us the purpose
Let us know where the translation is going: the traffic department, an embassy, a university or an employer. The purpose sometimes changes small formatting details.
4. Receive your quote
We send the price and delivery time before we start, and no work begins until you approve. Prices depend on the document, the language pair and the turnaround you need, so we quote each request individually rather than publishing a fixed list.
5. Receive the e-copy
Your translation arrives as a stamped, signed PDF on WhatsApp. Every translation is checked by a second translator before it is stamped.
6. The printed copy
Every client gets a printed, stamped copy as well as the e-copy. You collect it from the branch during walk-in hours. If you would prefer a different collection arrangement, ask us on WhatsApp when you order and we will tell you what is available for your area.
You will find more detail on our How to order page.
Documents Dammam and Dhahran residents often send us
Some document types come up again and again, and each has a small tip that makes the job smoother:
- Iqamas and national IDs: photograph both sides and make sure no glare covers the numbers.
- Degree certificates and transcripts: send every page, since transcripts often run to several pages.
- Employment contracts and salary letters: for long contracts, a PDF from your employer is best.
- Medical reports: tell us the purpose, whether insurance, treatment or your employer.
- Technical and engineering documents: common among staff of the region’s industrial companies, and translated with the correct technical terminology.
Tips for photographing documents with your phone
You do not need a scanner. Your phone is fine if you watch three things: switch off the flash so stamps do not reflect, shoot from directly above rather than at an angle, and use the document-scan feature built into most modern phones, which crops the edges and sharpens the text automatically. If the document is folded or creased, flatten it before you shoot.
When is the e-copy enough?
Many applications today are submitted through online platforms that ask you to upload a PDF. In those cases the stamped e-copy is often all you need, and a visit to the branch is only for the paper copy you keep. If the receiving body asks for an original stamped paper copy, you will need the printed version. Either way, the receiving authority decides what it accepts.
When is it better to visit the branch?
- When the receiving authority wants us to see the original document.
- When the document is a booklet or a thick file that is hard to photograph well.
- When photos stay unclear despite your best efforts, for example an old certificate with faded ink.
- When you simply prefer to discuss things face to face, which is always welcome.
Outside the Eastern Province?
You can order on WhatsApp from any city and get the e-copy straight away. We do not send printed copies outside the branch city, so the printed copy needs to be collected from the branch by you or someone you authorise.
Urgent requests
If your appointment is close, ask for the urgent service, which carries an extra fee shown in your quote. Short documents such as iqamas, IDs, driving licences and passport data pages are usually ready in about an hour on working days. For a worked example, see our article on translating a driving licence for conversion.
Why Almadani?
Almadani Translation has been licensed since 1982 (licence No. 64, dated 19 February 1983) and has served more than 20,000 clients. We translate to and from almost any language, including African languages, and cover personal, technical, shipping and customs documents as well as contracts. You can browse all our services from the home page.
FAQ
Do you have a branch in Dammam?
No. We serve Dammam and Dhahran from our Khobar branch, and you can place the whole order on WhatsApp.
Is the electronic copy stamped?
Yes. It arrives as a PDF bearing our stamp and signature, and you also get a printed copy to collect from the branch.
Can I order on a Friday?
Yes. WhatsApp takes orders all week. Work and delivery then follow what is agreed in your quote.
Do I need to bring the original to the branch?
Usually not, because a clear photo is enough to translate from. If the receiving authority wants us to see the original, or the photo is unreadable, we will ask you to bring it when you collect the printed copy.
Can I call instead of using WhatsApp?
Yes, on the same number, +966569442222, or through our Contact page.
Note: Requirements differ between authorities, and the receiving authority decides whether it accepts a translation and in what form. This article is general guidance only.
Written by the Almadani Translation Team · Information last reviewed: October 2026