What is a certified translation for the United Kingdom
Certified translations, as opposed to "sworn" translations, are the common standard in English-speaking countries such as the USA, UK, Ireland, and Australia.
You might be surprised to learn that the UK doesn't have a formal, government-regulated certification system for translations, unlike countries like Spain and France where translators are licensed by governmental bodies to achieve 'sworn translator' status. Instead, in the UK, certified translations typically require a statement from the translator attesting to the translation's accuracy and their competence, essentially self-certification. Membership in professional translation bodies is often requested as supporting evidence. Certling is a member of both the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) and the American Translators Association (ATA).
Whether you need a certified translation for visa applications, university admissions, or employment purposes, Certling is here to make the process seamless and stress-free.
UK Visas and Immigration Applications (UKVI)
Applying for a UK visa? Certified translations of documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and financial statements are frequently needed. Certling guarantees that our certified translations meet all Home Office standards, helping you avoid unnecessary delays and increase your chances of visa approval. To ensure the highest quality and reliability, we provide a reference for each translation, are members of recognised translation organisations, and are registered with the ICO. Learn more.
Work
We provide certified translations of academic credentials, professional licenses, and employment history, accepted by UK employers, for applications to private sector companies and UK regulatory bodies.
Education
Applying to UK universities or colleges? Ensure your transcripts and diplomas are accepted with certified translations. Certling offers the added convenience of posting or emailing the translations directly to the university or college admissions departments.
DVLA
Exchanging your foreign driver's license for a UK license? The DVLA requires a certified translation of your original license. Certling provides fast and accurate translations accepted by the DVLA.
Health
Accessing healthcare in the UK? Certified translations of your medical records and prescriptions may be required.
Need to translate your medical qualifications? Learn more.
Legal
Involved in legal proceedings in the UK? Certling offers certified translations for court filings, witness statements, contracts, and other legal documents.
Investment
Need certified translations for UK investments? Certling provides reliable, compliant translations for KYC, mortgages, and anti-money laundering processes.
Documents We Translate
Whatever your needs, we provide certified translations for a wide range of documents.
Court Ruling
Identity Documents
Legal Contract
Tax Return
+ Many more
Certified Translations Made Simple and Reliable
Our innovative approach brings clear, per-word pricing and seamless delivery, making certified translations faster, easier, and more affordable.
We understand what truly matters: having your translations accepted without delays or complications.
That's why every translation we provide meets and exceeds the impartiality standard of HM courts, and also the requirements of UKVI and other regulatory bodies.
Fair Pricing
Certling quotes per word, so you only pay for what you need, no surprises, just fair pricing.
Targeted Translation
Certling lets you remove unnecessary content, so you only pay for what truly needs translating.
Private and Secure
All files are processed securely within our system, and once finished, they are purged from our servers for added protection.
Official Acceptance
Our certified translations guarantee acceptance by UKVI, HM Courts & Tribunals Service, and other UK authorities, so you can proceed with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a notarised translation
For UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) purposes and the vast majority of UK requirements, a simple certified translation is sufficient. Notarisation adds an extra layer of legal formality, often required when a document needs to be used in court or for certain legal transactions. For example, notarisation might be required for property transfers, inheritance matters, or certain types of court filings. Have questions? Contact us via website chat or email [email protected] for personalised advice.
Can I translate and certify my own docuements
No, you cannot certify your own translation. While being bilingual is valuable, certification requires impartiality and a level of professional expertise that goes beyond simple language proficiency. Certified translators are trained to accurately convey the meaning of the original document without bias or personal interpretation. This impartiality is crucial for legal and official purposes. Many organisations specifically require translations from members of recognised professional bodies for this reason. Using a certified translator ensures your documents are accepted by the relevant authorities.
How much does a certified translation cost?
Many online certified translation services use a per-page pricing model, typically with a 250-word limit. This can lead to inaccurate quotes and unexpected costs. At Certling, we believe in transparent and accurate pricing. That's why we charge per word, ensuring you only pay for what you actually need translated.
To get an accurate quote tailored to your specific document, simply upload it to our website. Our system will instantly analyse the word count and provide you with a precise, no-obligation quote. This way, you know exactly what to expect, and can budget accordingly.
How long does a certified translation take?
At Certling, we understand that time is often of the essence. That's why we provide a clear time estimate during the quote process, tailored to your specific document. Our turnaround times are primarily based on word count. Typically, we can translate up to 3000 words within two working days for our standard service. For urgent projects, we offer an express service that reduces the turnaround time by half. Get in touch for a quote and a precise delivery estimate.
How do I submit my documents for translation?
Submitting your documents for translation is easy! Simply upload a scan or a clear photo of your document through our online quoting process. Please ensure the text is legible and correctly oriented. You can rotate your document directly within the quoting tool if needed.
Languages we support
- Albanian
- Bulgarian
- Chinese
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- Estonian
- Filipino
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hindi
- Hungarian
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Korean
- Latvian
- Lithuanian
- Malay
- Norwegian
- Polish
- Portuguese
- Romanian
- Russian
- Slovak
- Slovenian
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Vietnamese