Certified translations in the UK

A certified translation is an official translation of a document which can be used for formal procedures such as visa and passport applications, university admissions or legal matters. In the UK, a certified translation is one that has been completed by a qualified translator or translation company and accompanied by a signed certificate stating that it is a true and accurate translation of the original document.

You need a certified translation whenever you present foreign-language documents to a UK authority, court, university or other official body. Typical examples include:

• Birth, marriage and death certificates.
• Passports and ID documents (for supporting evidence).
• Diplomas, transcripts and academic records.
• Contracts, powers of attorney and company registration documents.
• Police clearance certificates and criminal record checks.
• Financial statements and tax documents.
• Medical reports and insurance documentation.
• Any other document where the recipient explicitly asks for a “certified translation”.

There is no government-regulated system of sworn translators in the UK. Instead, authorities expect translations to be produced and certified by qualified professionals who belong to recognised professional bodies.

As an Accredited Member of the Association of Translation Companies (ATC), Translators Family is authorised to issue certified translations bearing the ATC Certification Stamp. This shows that our company meets strict standards for professionalism, quality and financial stability, and that we follow best-practice guidance endorsed by the ATC, CIOL and ITI.

For many purposes in the UK, a simple certified translation issued by an accredited translator or translation company is sufficient. However, for some international procedures, the receiving authority may require:

• Notarisation – a UK Notary Public or solicitor confirms our signature on the certification. They do not check the translation itself but verify that we signed the certificate.
• Legalisation / Apostille – the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) affixes an apostille confirming the authenticity of the notary’s or solicitor’s signature.

If your documents need notarisation or an apostille, we can explain the steps and provide a certificate suitable for use with a Notary Public or solicitor. You then submit the notarised translation to the FCDO or relevant authority for legalisation.

Yes. We issue certified translations as digitally signed PDFs that include our details and the ATC Certification Stamp. Digital certified translations are increasingly accepted by UK authorities and international institutions, especially for online applications.

Digital version: a certified PDF sent securely by email, ready to upload or print.

The cost of a certified translation depends on the language pair, document type, length and turnaround time.

Prices start from GBP 20 per document / page and vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the document, the total volume and the urgency of delivery.

Our minimum order value is GBP 40. You will always receive a clear, itemised quote before we begin, with no hidden fees.

In some countries, sworn translators are officially appointed by a ministry or court and their translations have a special legal status. The UK has no sworn translator system. Instead, certified translations are issued by qualified translators or translation companies who belong to recognised professional bodies such as the ATC, CIOL or ITI.

In practice, a certified translation in the UK serves the same purpose: it is an official translation that authorities can rely on, backed by the professional responsibility of the translator or translation company.

For most personal and corporate documents, certified translations are delivered within 2–3 working days after payment for orders of up to around 30 pages. Larger projects or rare language combinations may take longer.

If you are on a tight deadline, we can usually offer an express service at a higher rate. Let us know your target date when requesting a quote.

Some institutions provide precise instructions on what the certificate must say, how it should be formatted, or whether the translator’s qualifications need to be listed. Simply send us these requirements together with your documents. We will adapt the certification wording and layout accordingly so that your translation is accepted the first time.

Certified translations are tailored services provided for your specific documents. As with many professional services, payment is required in advance so that we can reserve the necessary time and resources for your project and avoid misunderstandings about cancellations or unpaid work.