Official & Certified Translations

Certifying your translation

Translayte provides certified, sworn, notarised and legalised translations that are accepted globally.

We explain some of the core differences below.

What is an Official Translation?

An official translation is the translation of a document, such as a birth certificate or academic transcript, with an accompanying certification or sworn statement from an authorised translator or agency.

Official translations are usually required if you're submitting a document issued in a foreign language to a government authority or organisation, as part of an application. 

The term "official translation" is often used interchangeably with certified, sworn, notarised or legalised translations, but they are produced in slightly different ways.

Certified Translation

A certified translation is the translation of a document that is accompanied with a certification. The certification is usually in the form of a signature, stamp and a statement from the translator or a representative of the translation agency.

Certified translations are required by authorities and organisations in the UK, USA, Australia and Ireland and those produced by Translayte are completed on our letterhead, and accompanied by a Statement of Accuracy, our stamp, signature and contact details.

Sworn Translation

Sworn translations are certified translations that can only be provided by officially appointed translators in the country you are submitting your application to. Sworn translators usually have to undertake exams, and are only approved to translate select languages.

Several countries globally (e.g. France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands and Germany) require a sworn translator. In such cases, Translayte will work with an approved translator, who completes your translation, and appends their signature, stamp & contact details, making the translation acceptable within that country.

Notarised Translation

Notarised translations are certified translations that include a sworn statement from a Notary Public. A Notary Public appends their signature & stamp to the translation, confirming the identify of the translator and certifying their statement. A Notary cannot verify the authenticity of the translation, as they are usually not translators.

Notarised Translations produced by Translayte are first certified, then presented to a British Notary Public, who appends their signature & stamp to our company certification. Notarised translations may be required in Portugal, by UK Courts, Embassies or Foreign Institutions.

Legalised Translations (Apostille)

Legalised translations are certified or sworn translations that have been "legalised" by a Government Ministry to make them admissible in any foreign country that is part of The Hague Convention. The legalisation process produces an Apostille, which is affixed to the translation.

Translayte produces legalised translation either by requesting one from the Sworn Translator, or by having our certified translation notarised, then legalised by the UK Foreign Office.