Get your document translated, certified and prepared for the appropriate apostille or legalisation route. Send the document, destination country and receiving authority's instructions so the requirements can be reviewed before processing begins.
“Apostille translation” is commonly used to describe a translated document that also needs official authentication for use in another country. Translation, certification, notarisation and apostille legalisation are separate steps.
A certified translation communicates the document's content in the required language and includes a statement confirming that the translation is accurate and complete. An apostille serves a different purpose: it authenticates an eligible official signature, stamp or seal connected with a UK document.
The apostille does not certify that the translation itself is accurate. The receiving authority decides which document or signature must be authenticated and whether the original document should be apostilled before translation.
Some organisations want the original UK document apostilled first and translated afterwards. Others may require a certified or notarised translation whose relevant signature can then be legalised. Send the authority's exact instruction whenever possible.
Instructions such as “translate and apostille”, “apostille certified translation” and “apostille for translated documents” can describe different processes. These are the three routes most commonly encountered.
The UK public document or eligible official copy is legalised first. A certified translation of the document and attached apostille is then prepared for the overseas authority.
The translation is prepared and certified. Where the receiving authority requires further authentication, an eligible notarial or other qualifying signature may be needed before legalisation.
Many UK organisations only require a properly certified translation. Legalisation should not be added automatically when the receiving organisation has not requested it.
Apostille translation can involve translation, certification, notarisation, the Legalisation Office and physical document handling. Identifying the required route before processing helps avoid unnecessary steps.
UK public documents and professionally certified records can be reviewed for translation and apostille support. Suitability depends on the document, its signature or seal and the receiving authority's requirements.
Complete information at the beginning makes it easier to review the document, certification level, possible legalisation route and delivery requirements.
Include signatures, seals, stamps, endorsements, handwritten notes and attached certificates.
Legalisation requirements depend on where the completed documents will be submitted.
Tell us whether the document is for an embassy, court, university, employer, notary or government body.
Attach emails, checklists or guidance mentioning certification, notarisation, apostille or legalisation.
Confirm the source and target languages and whether the attached apostille also needs translation.
Include your submission date and whether digital delivery, printed copies or return of originals is required.
Translation may be completed faster than notarisation or apostille processing. The overall timeline depends on the document, language, number of pages, eligibility, physical-document requirements and confirmed legalisation route.
| Service route | Commonly used when | Timing considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Certified translation only | The receiving organisation requires a complete certified translation but has not requested legalisation. | Available translation timing can be confirmed after the document and language have been reviewed. |
| Original apostilled, then translated | An overseas authority requires authentication of an eligible signature or seal on the original UK document. | Allow for legalisation, return delivery and translation of the document and attached apostille where required. |
| Certified or notarised translation plus apostille | The authority requires authentication connected with the translated document or notarial certificate. | Additional time may be needed for certification, notarisation, legalisation and physical return. |
| Further embassy or consular legalisation | The destination or receiving authority requires processing beyond the UK apostille stage. | Requirements and processing periods vary and should be checked with the relevant authority. |
Birth, marriage, divorce, police and identity records may be requested for citizenship by descent, family registration or residency.
Birth certificates, divorce documents and certificates of no impediment may require translation and legalisation.
Degrees, diplomas, transcripts, professional records and police certificates may need translation and authentication.
Powers of attorney, court orders, declarations and notarial documents can require a formal translation and legalisation chain.
Companies may need incorporation documents, board resolutions and certificates translated and legalised for overseas use.
Adoption, inheritance, parental-responsibility and civil-status records may involve different formalities depending on the destination.
Official document translation requires careful comparison with the source. Names, dates, reference numbers, visible markings and certification details are reviewed before the completed translation is supplied.
The authority may require the original document to be legalised rather than the translation, or the reverse.
An apostille authenticates an eligible signature, seal or stamp. A suitable certification or notarial step may be required first.
If the apostille is attached afterwards, the receiving authority may expect the apostille certificate to be included in the translation.
Missing edges, blurred seals and unreadable handwritten information can delay assessment and translation.
Provide the preferred spelling of names where more than one transliteration into the target alphabet is possible.
Paper documents may need to move between the client, translator, notary, Legalisation Office and delivery provider.
per page, subject to document review
Certified translation pricing begins at £40 per page. Apostille, notarisation, certified-copy, courier and return-delivery costs depend on the document and required route, so the complete price is confirmed after review.
There is not one universal “translation + apostille” price because the required sequence can differ from one receiving authority to another.
Feedback from clients who needed translated documents prepared for overseas applications.
Other companies quoted me £200+ for an apostille translation. Home Office Translator was significantly cheaper, faster, and the quality was perfect. No hesitation recommending them.
Submitted before 2pm, had the certified translation by the next morning. Exactly what I needed for my visa application and accepted by the embassy immediately.
Individual requirements and processing times vary according to the document, language and receiving authority.
Requirements vary by destination and receiving authority. Send the exact instructions with your documents whenever the wording is unclear.
An apostille translation usually means a certified translation prepared in connection with a document that also needs UK legalisation for overseas use. It may involve apostilling the original document before translation or authenticating an eligible signature connected with a certified or notarised translation.
No. An apostille authenticates an eligible signature, stamp or seal. Translation accuracy is addressed through the professional translation and certification process.
The receiving authority should confirm this. Some authorities want the original UK document apostilled before it is translated. Others may require a certified or notarised translation with an eligible signature that can be legalised.
Home Office Translator can provide certified translation and support with the appropriate notarisation or apostille route for eligible documents. The available service is confirmed after the document and destination requirements have been reviewed.
A clear scan is usually sufficient for translation assessment. Some legalisation applications require an original document or properly certified copy. You will be told what must be posted after the route has been checked.
Translation timing depends on the language, number of pages and document complexity. Legalisation takes additional time and may also involve notarisation, postal submission or return delivery. A complete timeline is confirmed before you proceed.
Common examples include birth, marriage and death certificates, academic records, police certificates, powers of attorney, court documents and company records. Eligibility depends on the document and the official signature, stamp or seal being authenticated.
Apostilles are used between relevant parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, although individual authorities can still impose specific translation and document requirements. Check the destination requirements before ordering.
A certified translation and an apostille are different services. For many UK applications, a correctly certified translation is sufficient. Add legalisation only when the application guidance or receiving authority specifically requests it. You can also read about certified translation for the Home Office and UKVI certified translation.
Include the destination country, receiving authority, required language, deadline and any instruction mentioning certification, notarisation or legalisation. The likely route can then be reviewed before work begins.
