If your contract is not in English, you may need a certified translation for immigration, renting or buying property, employment checks, banking, legal matters, or compliance (KYC). Certling provides certified translations into English designed for official acceptance.
A certified translation is a complete translation of an official document accompanied by a signed certification statement confirming the translator’s competence and that the translation is accurate.
Who Needs a Contract Translation?
Contracts are used as evidence of rights and obligations. If you are submitting a contract to an organisation that requires English documents, a certified translation is often required.
| Situation requiring a contract translation | Description |
|---|---|
| Renting or buying property | Lease agreements and tenancy agreements may be requested by landlords, letting agents, solicitors, or lenders as proof of address, occupancy, or terms. |
| Employment and HR checks | Employment contracts and offer letters can be required for onboarding, background checks, professional registration, or visa sponsorship evidence. |
| Visas and immigration | Contracts are commonly used as supporting evidence, such as proof of employment, accommodation, household arrangements, or financial commitments. |
| Banking, mortgages, and compliance (KYC) | Banks and compliance teams may request contract translations to verify source of funds, employment terms, residency, or address history. |
| Legal matters and disputes | Courts, solicitors, insurers, and tribunals may require certified translations of agreements relied upon as evidence. |
| Business and commercial use | Service agreements, supplier contracts, NDAs, and purchase agreements are often needed for audits, onboarding, tenders, and cross-border operations. |
Common Immigration and Visa Uses for Contract Translations
Contracts are often used as supporting evidence in visa and immigration applications, especially when you need to prove employment, accommodation, household arrangements, or financial commitments. If your document is not in English, a certified translation is usually required.
United Kingdom (UKVI)
- Spouse / Partner / Family visas (tenancy agreements, proof of shared residence, household arrangements)
- Skilled Worker visa evidence (employment contract, role details, salary terms)
- Student visa supporting evidence (accommodation contracts where required)
- Proof of address and cohabitation evidence (lease agreements and rental contracts)
USA (USCIS)
- Family-based filings (supporting evidence of shared residence or responsibilities where applicable)
- Adjustment of Status (supporting evidence of residence, employment, or household arrangements)
- Employment-based filings (employment contracts, offer letters, role and salary terms)
- Support evidence (contracts used to evidence employment or housing commitments where relevant)
Canada (IRCC)
- Permanent residence applications (proof of employment and address history)
- Spousal sponsorship supporting evidence (proof of living arrangements)
- Work permit applications (employment contracts and job offers)
- Study permits (accommodation contracts where required)
Other common visa scenarios
- Digital nomad visas (proof of employment or service contracts)
- Long-stay residency permits (lease agreements and proof of accommodation)
- Dependent visas (household and accommodation arrangements)
- Local registration after moving (rental contract proof)
How Long Does a Contract Translation Take?
Timing depends on length and complexity. Short agreements can be completed quickly, while long contracts with schedules, tables, or annexes take longer.
Upload your contract to see an estimated delivery time during checkout. If you are working to a tight deadline, use the chat in the bottom right corner and our team will advise on express options where available.
Get Started
- Upload your contract (PDF preferred).
- Receive an instant per-word quote.
- Choose standard or express delivery.
How Much Does a Certified Contract Translation Cost?
The only fair way to price a contract translation is by the actual amount of text. Contracts vary widely in word count, from short agreements to long documents with clauses and schedules.
However you look at it, per-page pricing is inflated. It is inflated when a document has very little text, and it is inflated again when a provider uses a hidden per-page word threshold (often around 250 words) that triggers extra charges.
Transparent & Fair
- Instant per-word quote
- Certified for official use
- Digital delivery (PDF)
- Tables, schedules, and annexes handled properly
- Hard copy optional
- Confidential handling
What Is Included in a Certified Contract Translation?
In the UK, Ireland, and the United States, a certified translation typically includes:
- Date of translation
- Translator’s full name and signature
- Translator or translation company contact details
- A statement confirming the translation is accurate
If the original includes signatures, stamps, initials, or handwritten notes, we translate readable text and can add a translator note where something is unclear.
Do I Need Notarisation, Legalisation, or a Sworn Translation?
Certified translation (common in English-speaking countries)
Many organisations in the UK, the USA, and Ireland accept a certified translation with a signed certification statement.
Notarised or legalised translation (sometimes requested)
Some legal and property processes may ask for notarisation or legalisation, especially where documents are being used across borders. If you have a requirement letter, share it with us in the order notes or via chat.
Steps to Translate a Contract Into English
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Upload your contract
PDF is best. If using photos, keep them straight, well-lit, and uncropped.
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Tell us how it will be used
For example: lease agreement for landlord, employment contract for HR, mortgage, court use, or a visa application.
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Approve the quote
You receive an instant per-word quote based on detected text.
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Receive your certified translation
Delivered digitally as a certified PDF. Hard copy optional on request.
Upload Tips
- Include all pages, including schedules and annexes if they apply.
- Do not crop signatures, initials, stamps, or page numbers.
- If a name or address is unclear, add the correct spelling in the order notes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contract translation into English for lease agreements, tenancy agreements, employment contracts, and official use.
What types of contracts do you translate?
We translate lease agreements, tenancy agreements, rental agreements, employment contracts, offer letters, service agreements, contractor agreements, NDAs (non-disclosure agreements), settlement agreements, purchase agreements, and many other contract types.
Do I need a certified translation of a lease agreement or tenancy agreement?
Often, yes, if you are submitting it to a landlord, letting agent, solicitor, lender, or a government body and the agreement is not in English. If the contract is being used as evidence, a certified translation is commonly required.
Can I translate only the signature page of my lease for UKVI?
Sometimes. In practice, many applicants translate only the first and last page of a tenancy agreement, as these usually show the parties’ names, the address, the dates, and the signatures. However, requirements can vary by caseworker and route. If UKVI needs to verify specific clauses (such as who lives at the property or the rental period), they may expect more pages. If you want to minimise cost, upload the full agreement and tell us it is for UKVI, and we will advise what is usually sufficient.
Can I translate only part of a contract?
Sometimes. For supporting evidence (for example, proof of address), the receiving organisation may accept a partial translation. For legal reliance, disputes, banking, or compliance checks, a full translation is usually expected. If you are unsure, tell us where it will be submitted.
Do you translate signatures, stamps, initials, and handwritten notes?
Yes, where there is readable text. If something is unclear or partially illegible, we can include a translator note reflecting the original.
Can you translate scanned copies or photos of contracts?
Yes, if they are legible. For best results, upload a PDF export or a clear scan. Avoid glare, shadows, skewed angles, and missing pages.
Do I need notarisation for a contract translation?
Usually not, but some solicitors, lenders, or cross-border legal processes may request notarisation or legalisation. If you have a requirement letter, share it with us and we will advise.
What is included in the certification?
Your certified translation includes a signed certification statement confirming the translation is accurate, along with the date, and the translator or translation company’s details.
How long does a contract translation take?
Turnaround depends on length and complexity. You will see an estimated delivery time during checkout, and express options may be available for urgent deadlines.
How much does a contract translation cost?
Pricing depends on word count and language. Certling charges per word, so you pay for the exact amount of content in your contract, rather than an inflated per-page rate.
Is it safe to upload a contract to Certling?
Yes. Communications are encrypted and documents are handled by authorised staff only. Files are retained only as long as needed to complete the work, then securely purged from our servers.
