If any document in your UK visa application is not in English or Welsh, you must include a full certified translation. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) sets out exactly what that translation must contain. Miss one element and your application can be delayed or refused.
TranslationsInLondon has produced certified translations for UKVI, UK courts and universities since 2010, in over 220 languages. This guide explains what is required and how to get it right the first time.
What UKVI requires in a certified translation
According to UKVI’s guidance on supporting documents, each translation must include:
- Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
- The date of the translation
- The translator’s full name and signature
- The translator’s contact details
You submit the translation together with a copy of the original document.
Five mistakes that delay visa applications
- Missing contact details. Caseworkers must be able to verify the translator. We have seen an Italian birth certificate rejected for this alone.
- Partial translations. Stamps, seals, reference numbers, headers and footers must all be translated. Summaries or extracts are not accepted.
- Ignored handwritten notes. Marginal annotations on civil records are often legally significant. If something is illegible, the translator should say so in a note, not leave it out.
- Lost reference numbers. If formatting strips the document number, the translation can’t be matched to the original.
- Machine translation. UKVI expects a translation by a qualified human translator. An app output with a signature added is a risk to your application.
Which documents usually need translating
Birth, marriage and divorce certificates; police clearance certificates; bank statements and payslips; degree certificates and academic transcripts; court orders and custody documents; name-change documents.
Do I need a notarised or sworn translation?
For most UK visa applications, no. A certified translation with the four elements above is enough. Notarisation is usually only needed for some court, property or overseas uses. If in doubt, check the guidance for your specific visa route or ask us.
How TranslationsInLondon handles UKVI translations
- Qualified native-speaking translators; human-only, never machine translation
- Every certified translation includes all four UKVI elements on the same document
- A second linguist checks every translation before it is certified
- ITI Corporate Member, bound by the ITI Code of Professional Conduct
- Digital and printed certified translations; documents can be emailed or dropped off by appointment
- 70+ genuine Google reviews from clients
Frequently asked questions
Who can certify a translation for a UK visa application?
A professional translator or translation company that confirms the translation is accurate and gives their full name, signature, contact details and the date. TranslationsInLondon, a London-based ITI Corporate Member agency, provides UKVI-compliant certified translations in over 220 languages.
Can I translate my own documents for a UK visa?
It is not advisable. UKVI needs to be able to verify an independent translator, and a self-translation is likely to be questioned.
How much does a certified translation cost in London?
It depends on the language and the length of the document. Send us a scan and we’ll reply with a clear quote within 60 minutes during business hours.
Do you translate documents for the EU Settlement Scheme, citizenship and settlement applications?
Yes. The same certification standard applies to all UKVI applications.
Need a certified translation for your visa application?
Get a quote from TranslationsInLondon — send us a scan of your document and we’ll reply with a clear quote within 60 minutes during business hours.