Certified Translation Services UK

Certified Translations in the UK

If you are submitting non-English documents as part of an application for a visa, passport, marriage, divorce or university degree in the UK, then you'd need a UK certified translation.

We explain what this means, and how we can help you below.

Certified translation requirements

Foreign issued, non-English documents to be used for official purposes within the UK require a Certified Translation. A certified translation is where the translator or translation agency translates and certifies a document, with their signature and stamp.

The certification from the translator or agency is usually in the form of a written statement included with the translated document. The written statement contains:

• A declaration it is a ‘true and accurate translation of the original document’
• the date of the translation
• the full name and contact details of the translator or a representative of the translation company

Furthermore, most government agencies and organisations will only accept certified translations from agencies or translators that are members of the Institute of Linguists (CiOL), Institute of Translation & Interpreting (ITI) or the Association of Translation Companies (ATC).

We are a member of the ATC, and include a Certificate of Translation Accuracy in all our Company Certified translations, which makes our Certified Translations acceptable across the UK.

Certified Translations for UK Legal Proceedings

For translations to be used at a Family Court (e.g. as part of a Divorce Proceeding), then you may be required to submit proof of marriage or civil partnership to accompany the application. 

If these documents are not issued in English or Welsh, then a translation, certified by a Notary Public or authenticated by a statement of truth is required.

Translayte can provide a notarised translation (for an additional fee) or a Statement of Truth (free of charge).

Translations used abroad, or at embassies

If you're applying for a visa at a UK based embassy, or for a marriage or residency in a foreign country, and have been asked to provide a translation, then you may need to have the translation notarised and / or legalised.

Notarised Translation

Notarised translations in the UK are certified translations that include a certification from a British Notary Public. A Notary Public appends their signature & stamp to the translation, confirming the identify of the translator and certifying their statement.

Notarised Translations produced by Translayte are first certified by us, then presented to a British Notary Public, who appends their signature & stamp to our company certification, then mails you the original document. This is sent by Priority Mail within the UK, or to any country abroad by DHL.

Legalised Translation

For translations to be used at embassies, or outside the UK, you may be asked to obtain a "Legalised Translation", "Apostille Translation", or to have the translation "Apostilled" or "Legalised". They all mean the same thing. It is a legal process that makes a translation completed in the UK admissible in another country.

The UK Foreign Office is responsible for legalising translations by confirming that the signature, stamp or seal on the translation is from a UK public official. 

Legalised Translations produced by Translayte are first certified by us, notarised by a British Notary Public, then presented to the UK Foreign Office, who legalises the signature & stamp of the British Notary Public.