UKVI Certified Translation Services for Visa & Immigration Documents
Send documents that are not in English or Welsh for professional translation and certification for a UK visa, immigration, settlement or citizenship application. We prepare complete translations with the verification details normally required for Home Office review.
- Professional human translators
- Signed certification
- Secure document handling
- Standard & express options
What is a UKVI certified translation?
A “UKVI certified translation” is generally a complete translation prepared for a UK visa or immigration submission and supplied with sufficient certification information for the translation to be independently verified.
Current GOV.UK guidance for visa supporting documents says that documents not in English or Welsh should be accompanied by a full translation that can be independently verified. The translation should confirm accuracy, show the translation date, identify the translator by full name and signature, and include contact details.
Check the current GOV.UK supporting-document guidance →
A complete translation prepared for official review
Official document translation involves more than translating the main paragraphs. Names, dates, figures, stamps, seals and other relevant visible information need careful treatment so the translation can be understood alongside the original.
Relevant visible text is translated rather than selected sections being silently omitted.
The completed work includes the agreed certification information for official use.
Key identifying details are reviewed carefully against the source document.
Formatting is prepared so the translated information can be compared clearly with the original.
Documents commonly translated for UKVI applications
The exact evidence depends on your visa or immigration route. These are examples of documents that may need certified English translation when the originals are in another language.
Birth certificates
Often used as evidence of identity, parentage, nationality or family relationships.
Birth certificate translationMarriage & divorce documents
Civil-status evidence frequently relevant to spouse, partner, dependant and family applications.
Marriage certificate translationBank statements & financial records
Financial documents may form part of supporting evidence depending on your application route and circumstances.
Bank statement translationPolice certificates
Police and criminal-record documentation can be requested for particular immigration routes and occupations.
Police certificate translationPassports & identity documents
Passport pages and identity records may need translation where the receiving process asks for evidence in English or Welsh.
Passport translationDegrees & academic records
Diplomas, transcripts, qualifications and related documents can form part of study or immigration applications.
Academic transcript translationCertified translations for different UK applications
Translation requirements depend on the documents you rely on and the rules for your particular application. Tell us the application type when you send the files.
Spouse & Partner Visa
Marriage records, birth certificates, divorce documents, financial evidence and other relationship documents may need translation when issued in another language.
Skilled Worker Visa
Supporting evidence can include police certificates, qualifications and other documents that require certified translation when they are not in English or Welsh.
Student Visa
Academic records and other supporting documents may need translation depending on the documents requested for the application.
Visitor Visa
Foreign-language supporting documents should be accompanied by the appropriate English or Welsh translation where required by the application guidance.
ILR & Settlement
Civil, financial, residence and identity evidence from different countries may require complete certified translation and additional credential details in some circumstances.
British Citizenship
Civil-status, family, identity and other supporting records can require professional translation when the documents are not already in English or Welsh.
From document upload to certified translation
Send the files first so the language, length, certification requirements and deadline can be reviewed before you commit.
Upload your documents
Send a clear PDF, scan or readable photograph showing every relevant page.
Tell us the application
Include the language pair, UKVI application type, deadline and any instructions you have received.
Receive your quote
Pricing, expected turnaround and the suitable certification route are confirmed before work starts.
Translation & checks
Names, dates, numbers, visible text and certification details are reviewed carefully.
Receive the translation
Your completed certified translation is supplied in the delivery format confirmed with you.
Does UKVI require notarised translation?
A certified translation, notarised translation, sworn translation and apostille are different things. Do not automatically order additional authentication unless your application instructions ask for it.
| Service | What it provides | When it may be relevant |
|---|---|---|
| Certified translation | A complete translation accompanied by a signed statement confirming accuracy and completeness. | Commonly used for UK visa, immigration and other official UK submissions. |
| Notarised translation | Adds a notarial authentication step to the relevant translation or certification. | When the receiving authority specifically asks for notarisation. |
| Sworn translation | Translation prepared under a sworn-translator system used in certain jurisdictions. | More relevant when a foreign receiving country or authority requires a sworn translator. |
| Apostille / legalisation | An additional authentication process for documents intended for international use. | Only where the document, translation or related certification requires legalisation. |
Unsure what your application requires? Send us the document together with the wording of the request you received. We can review the information before you order.
What to send us for an accurate quote
Providing the full document and application details at the beginning helps reduce unnecessary back-and-forth.
- A clear scan, PDF or readable photograph of every relevant page.
- The language shown on the original document.
- Confirmation that the translation is required in English or another target language.
- The visa, immigration or Home Office application the document relates to.
- Your deadline and any written certification instructions.
- Preferred English spellings of names where an established passport spelling already exists.
Go directly to the document service you need
If your application is centred on a particular document, use the dedicated service page for more specific preparation and submission guidance.
Immigration translation services
Broader translation support for visa, settlement, citizenship and Home Office applications.
View immigration translation services →Passport translation
Translation of passport pages and identity information for official submissions.
View passport translation →Police certificate translation
Police clearance, criminal-record and certificate-of-good-conduct translation for official use.
View police certificate translation →Bank statement translation
Financial evidence translation for visa and other formal submissions.
View bank statement translation →Questions about UKVI certified translation
Answers to common questions about UK visa translations, certification, documents, prices and deadlines.
What is a UKVI certified translation?
It is a complete translation prepared for use with a UK visa or immigration application and accompanied by certification details that allow the translation to be independently verified. It should normally include confirmation of accuracy, the date, the translator's full name and signature and appropriate contact details.
Do documents for a UK visa have to be translated into English?
For many UK visa and immigration routes, documents that are not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a full certified translation. Always check the requirements for your particular application and documents.
Does UKVI require an approved translator?
The important requirement is that the translation follows the rules for the relevant application and can be independently verified. The completed translation should clearly identify the translator or translation company and include the required certification information.
Does a UKVI translation need to be notarised?
Not automatically. Standard certified translation is different from notarisation. Additional authentication should normally be arranged only when the receiving authority or application instructions specifically request it.
How much does a UKVI certified translation cost?
Standard certified translations currently start from £40 per document. The final price depends on document length, language pair, certification requirement, formatting and turnaround. Your price is confirmed after the document has been reviewed.
How quickly can you translate my visa documents?
Standard and express options are available. Same-day or 24-hour completion may be possible for suitable documents and language pairs, depending on length, complexity and translator availability. Send your deadline with the documents for confirmation.
Can I send a scan or phone photo?
A clear PDF, scan or readable photograph can normally be reviewed for quotation and may be suitable for translation. Make sure all relevant text, stamps, seals and document edges are visible.
What if my name is spelled differently on another document?
Tell us about any established English spelling used on your passport or previous official documents before translation begins. This helps maintain consistency across documents submitted as part of the same application.
Send your UKVI documents and get the correct translation route confirmed
Upload the document, tell us the source language, application type and deadline, and receive clear information about price, turnaround and certification before work begins.