Certified Translation FAQs for UK Applications

For a formal UKVI or Home Office submission, use a professional translator or translation company instead of preparing the translation yourself.

The completed translation must be independently verifiable and should contain the accuracy statement, date, translator details, signature and contact information required for your application route. Always follow the instructions supplied for the particular visa or immigration category.

A foreign-language document may not be accepted as usable evidence when the required certified translation has not been supplied or cannot be independently verified.

This can result in a request for further evidence, additional delay or the document being disregarded. The effect on the overall application depends on the route and the importance of that particular document.

A translation prepared outside the UK may be suitable when it meets the requirements for the application and can be independently verified by the receiving authority.

Check that it includes the translator or translation company’s identifying and contact details, the date, a signature and written confirmation of accuracy. Route-specific instructions should take priority over general guidance.

Any document required for the application that is not in English or Welsh may need a certified translation. The precise evidence depends on the immigration route and the applicant’s circumstances.

Frequently translated documents include:

• Birth and marriage certificates
• Passports, identity cards and residence records
• Police clearance certificates and court documents
• Degrees, diplomas and academic transcripts
• Bank statements, payslips and employment letters
• Medical reports and civil-status records

See the document translation services for a broader overview.

An automated translation by itself does not provide the certification information required for an official submission. It does not identify a responsible translator, include a signed accuracy statement or provide independently verifiable professional contact details.

Use a professional certified translation when the application or receiving authority requires formally translated evidence.

A certified translation is a complete translation accompanied by a formal declaration confirming that it accurately represents the original document.

The certification normally identifies the translator or translation company and includes a date, signature and contact details so that the translation can be checked independently.

A certified translation includes a declaration of accuracy and is the usual option for many UK submissions.

A notarised translation includes an additional notarial step that verifies the identity or signature of the person making the declaration. It is not automatically required for every official application.

A sworn translation is produced under a formal sworn translator system used in certain countries. The UK does not operate one universal sworn-translator system.

An apostille is a separate authentication process commonly connected with documents being used overseas. Read the apostille translation guidance before adding extra formalities.

A clear scan, PDF or readable photograph is normally enough for the document to be assessed, quoted and translated online.

Include every relevant page, reverse side, stamp, seal, endorsement and handwritten note. The organisation receiving your application may separately require you to present or submit the original document.

Original or certified physical documents may also be needed for certain notarisation, apostille or legalisation procedures.

There is no single validity period that applies to every certified translation in the UK. The receiving authority may impose its own date or document-validity requirements.

A translation may also become unsuitable when the original document expires or no longer reflects the current information. Police certificates, financial evidence and similar time-sensitive records should be checked carefully before submission.

Check that the provider explains what its certification contains, confirms the complete price before work begins and has experience with the document and intended authority.

Useful checks include:

• Clear translator or company identification
• A written accuracy and completeness statement
• Transparent pricing and delivery terms
• Secure document-handling procedures
• Relevant professional experience or association membership
• Genuine customer feedback with clear attribution

No translation provider controls the final decision made by UKVI, the Home Office or another receiving body.

The website currently publishes a two-day standard service and a one-day express service. An urgent service completed within 24 hours is also listed, subject to availability.

The confirmed completion time depends on the language pair, document length, legibility, formatting, handwritten content, certification requirements and the time at which the order is approved.

Urgent service is available for suitable documents and language pairs, but availability must be checked before ordering.

Send the complete document as early as possible and state the exact deadline. The team can then confirm whether the requested completion time is realistic before payment and translation begin.

The currently published starting price is £40 per page for the standard two-day service. Express service starts at £65 per page, while urgent service within 24 hours starts at £100 per page.

These are starting rates rather than an automatic total for every document. The final quotation can be affected by the language, number of pages, amount of text, handwriting, scan quality, document layout, deadline and additional certification requirements.

Review the complete certified translation pricing before choosing a service.

Send the complete document together with the source language, required target language, intended use and deadline. The file is reviewed before the suitable service, final price and available completion time are confirmed.

Payment instructions are provided with the confirmed order details. Translation should begin only after you have reviewed and approved the quotation.