Official document translation for UK submissions
Certified Translation Services in the UK
Get your personal, academic, legal or business documents professionally translated and issued with the certification details required for official submission. Transcribe Lingo provides human translation, quality review, secure PDF delivery and optional posted hard copies.
- Human translation and QA review
- Signed certification issued
- Secure PDF delivery
- Posted hard copy available
A clear UK definition
What is a certified translation in the UK?
A certified translation is a complete translation accompanied by a written declaration confirming that it is an accurate translation of the original document.
It is commonly requested when a document written in another language must be submitted for a visa, passport, university application, court matter, civil registration or another formal purpose.
The receiving organisation makes the final decision about what it will accept. Send any instructions supplied by that organisation with your document so the correct certification route can be confirmed before work begins.
A UK certified translation should normally contain
- A complete translation of the document
- Confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original
- The date on which the translation was completed
- The translator's or translation company's full name
- The appropriate signature
- Contact details that allow the translation to be independently verified
Some institutions, embassies or overseas authorities may additionally request notarisation, legalisation, an apostille, a sworn translation or a specific delivery format.
Documents translated and certified
Official translation for personal, academic and legal documents
Clear scans or photographs can be reviewed before the quote is confirmed. Include every page, stamp, handwritten note and reverse side that may need to appear in the finished translation.
Personal and civil documents
- Birth certificates
- Marriage and divorce certificates
- Death certificates
- Passports and identity documents
- Driving licences
- Police certificates
- Medical records
Academic and professional documents
- Diplomas and degree certificates
- Academic transcripts
- School and training certificates
- Reference letters
- Qualification records
- Professional registration documents
Legal and business documents
- Contracts and agreements
- Court orders and case documents
- Powers of attorney
- Business licences
- Company registration documents
- Corporate and regulatory records
Larger, technical or commercial projects can also be handled through Transcribe Lingo's wider translation services. Legal documents can be discussed through the legal document translation service.
A managed six-stage service
How to order a certified translation
The document, deadline and destination requirements are reviewed before the project starts, helping to prevent avoidable certification or delivery problems later.
Upload your document
Send a clear scan or photograph of every page that needs to be translated.
Receive a fixed quote and ETA
The language pair, length, formatting and required certification are reviewed.
Approve and pay securely
Work begins after you have approved the confirmed scope, price and delivery time.
Human translation and QA
A suitable linguist translates the document before it passes through quality review.
Certification is issued
The completed translation is prepared with the applicable statement and identifying details.
Receive your translation
The secure PDF is delivered electronically, with a posted hard copy supplied when arranged.
Include the organisation or country receiving the document when you enquire. This helps determine whether standard certification, notarisation or an apostille may be required.
Send your documentsClear quote before work starts
Certified translation cost and turnaround
Simple documents start from the published page rate below. A fixed project quote is supplied after the file and its requirements have been reviewed.
What affects the final price?
- The source and target languages
- Document length and word count
- Formatting and layout complexity
- Specialist legal or technical terminology
- The required delivery deadline
- Standard, notarised or legalised certification
- Hard-copy printing and postage
- The quality and legibility of the source file
Typical timing: simple documents are normally delivered within 24 to 48 hours. Same-day delivery may be available for short documents where the language pair, file quality and workload make it feasible.
Human translation and review
Quality checks before certification and delivery
Names, dates, numbers, stamps and document references can be critical in official submissions. The workflow therefore combines human translation with a separate quality review before certification is issued.
Tell the project team how names should appear, particularly when several English spellings or transliterations are possible. Supplying a passport or existing English record as a spelling reference can help maintain consistency.
Suitable linguist
The assignment is matched to a native-level specialist with the appropriate language and document experience.
Human QA review
The translation is checked for omissions, spelling, names, numbers, terminology and internal consistency.
Certification details
The required accuracy statement and identifying details are added after the translation has been reviewed.
Secure delivery
The final document can be supplied as a secure PDF and as a posted hard copy when that format is required.
Customer experiences
Certified translation client feedback
"Super fast, and Home Office accepted it with no questions!"
"They posted the hard copy within 24 hours. Fantastic service."
"I saved £40 compared to other agencies. Highly recommend!"
More feedback about Transcribe Lingo
"Amazing service. Quick turnaround and accurate translations, totally worth the price as it was handled by professionals experienced in legal documentation."
"Highly recommend Transcribe Lingo for being prompt to respond to our last minute request! The service provided was thoroughly professional! The team was really supportive throughout the whole process."
"We're glad to have Transcribe Lingo as our long-term transcription partner, never lets you down!"
Frequently asked questions
Questions about certified translation services
Requirements can differ between institutions and countries. Send the instructions from the receiving organisation whenever they are available.
What counts as a certified translation in the UK?
It is a complete translation accompanied by confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original. For many UK submissions, it should also include the translation date, the translator's or translation company's full name, the appropriate signature and contact details.
Will my translation be accepted by the Home Office or UKVI?
The translation can be prepared around the certification details specified in current Home Office guidance. Final acceptance always remains with the receiving authority and depends on the application, document and instructions supplied.
Can you provide a certified translation for a passport application?
Yes. HM Passport Office states that supporting documents not written in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation. Send the document and any instructions included with your application for review.
How much does a certified translation cost?
The published guide price starts from £30 plus VAT per page for simple documents. Your fixed quote will depend on the language pair, document length, formatting, complexity, deadline, certification type and delivery requirements.
How quickly can my translation be delivered?
Simple documents are typically delivered within 24 to 48 hours. Same-day delivery may be available for short documents where the language pair, source quality and current workload make it feasible.
Which documents can be translated and certified?
Common documents include birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates; passports and identity documents; academic transcripts and diplomas; police certificates; contracts; court papers; powers of attorney; business licences and company records.
Do you need my original document?
A clear scan or photograph is normally sufficient for an initial review, quotation and translation workflow. The authority receiving your application may separately require you to submit the original source document or an officially certified copy.
Can you help with notarisation and an apostille?
Yes. Transcribe Lingo can advise when a notarised translation or apostille process has been requested for overseas use. The correct sequence depends on the document, where it was issued and the destination authority's instructions.
What will I receive when the translation is complete?
You can receive a certified translation as a secure PDF. A printed hard copy can also be posted when it has been included in the confirmed project requirements.
Receive a confirmed price and deadline
Send your document for a fixed quote and ETA
Include the source language, required target language, intended authority or country, deadline and whether you need a hard copy, notarisation or apostille support.