𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦: 3 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘴🕒
Whether you're applying for a UK visa, submitting evidence in court or enrolling in university, chances are you’ll need a certified translation at some point. But what exactly counts as a certified translation in the UK, and who is qualified to produce one?
In this guide, we’ll explain what certified translations are, when they’re required, and how to ensure your documents meet UK legal and official standards.
What is a certified translation?
In the UK, a certified translation is a translation that’s signed and dated by a qualified translator or translation company, confirming that it is a true and accurate translation of the original document.
According to the UK Government's Certifying a Document guide, the certification must include:
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The translator’s full name and contact details
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A statement of accuracy
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The date of translation
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The language combination
Unlike some countries, the UK doesn’t have a formal registry of sworn translators, but government bodies still require certification in a specific format.
At Wolfestone, all certified translations include a signed statement on our company letterhead to meet official requirements.
When do you need a certified translation?
1. Visa applications
Any document submitted in a language other than English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation when applying for a UK visa.
This includes:
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Birth and marriage certificates
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Academic records
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Bank statements
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Proof of employment or accommodation
The Visitor Visa Guide from UK Visas & Immigration clearly states that these translations must be verifiable and contain the translator’s credentials.
Other visa types, such as the Skilled Worker Visa and Global Talent Visa, follow the same requirements.
Failing to provide a proper certified translation can result in delays or even a rejection.
2. Legal proceedings and court documents
If you're submitting documents as evidence in court, such as contracts, birth records or foreign-language witness statements, they must be translated into English with a signed certification.
The Ministry of Justice’s Practice Direction 57AC outlines the need for English versions of all witness statements, making certified translation a necessity in many legal contexts.
3. Asylum and Immigration Tribunals
For individuals applying for asylum or facing appeals, all supporting documents that aren’t in English must be translated and certified. This includes identity documents, medical records and legal statements.
The UK Home Office’s official Immigration and Asylum Guidance on translations details how translations must be submitted with the applicant’s file, and that they must be fully accurate and traceable to a named translator or provider.
4. Other situations
Outside legal and immigration scenarios, certified translations are often required when submitting official paperwork to institutions such as:
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Banks and mortgage lenders
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Universities and colleges
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Employers (for overseas qualifications)
While these aren’t always governed by strict rules, failing to provide a certified translation can result in delays or rejected applications.
We recommend confirming with the institution in advance and choosing a provider who understands UK requirements.
Why choose a professional provider?
Using a professional, certified translation company like Wolfestone ensures that your translation:
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Meets UK government and legal requirements
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Is accepted by UKVI, courts, NHS, and other public bodies
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Is produced and reviewed by qualified linguists
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Is delivered with an official certificate of accuracy
We also offer sworn, notarised and apostilled translations on request, where higher levels of legal validation are needed (such as for international use).
If you're applying for a visa, preparing court documents or submitting official paperwork to an employer or university, let Wolfestone take care of the certified translation. We’ll make sure your documents are delivered on time, in the right format, and accepted the first time.
Request a quote or get in touch to discuss your requirements.
𝘒𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 2021 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴.
