Any document you send to UKVI that is not in English or Welsh needs a full translation the Home Office can independently verify. The translation must include a statement that it is accurate, the date, the translator’s full name and signature, and the translator’s contact details. TranslationsInLondon, an ITI Corporate Member agency in West London, provides certified translations that meet these requirements in 220+ languages.
What UKVI requires
The GOV.UK guide to supporting documents says each translation must include:
- Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original
- The date of the translation
- The translator’s full name and signature
- The translator’s contact details
Family visa applications ask for a “certified translation” of any document not in English or Welsh. The same four elements apply.
What UKVI does not require
- Notarisation. A notary is not needed for most visa applications. It is sometimes needed for documents used abroad or in some court matters. See our notarised translation service.
- A specific membership. The rules do not name a professional body. Using a member of a recognised body such as the ITI or CIOL makes the translation easier to verify and trust.
Can I translate my own documents?
It is not advisable. The Home Office must be able to verify the translation independently, and a translation by the applicant or a relative is likely to be questioned. Use an independent professional translator or agency.
Documents we translate most often for visas
Birth, marriage and divorce certificates; police clearance certificates; bank statements and payslips; degree certificates and transcripts; employment letters; court orders and custody documents; and name-change documents. See all document translation services.
Checklist before you submit
- Every page in a foreign language is translated, including stamps and handwritten notes
- The translation has the accuracy statement, date, translator name, signature and contact details
- Names and dates match your passport spelling
- You keep the original and submit it together with the translation
Common 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 cannot be matched to the original.
- Machine translation. UKVI expects a translation by a qualified human translator. An app output with a signature added puts your application at risk.
How TranslationsInLondon helps
Every certified translation is done by a qualified native-speaking translator, checked by a second linguist, and supplied with a signed certificate of accuracy on our letterhead, including our ITI Corporate Membership number. Prices start from £29 for the first page including VAT, and we send a quote within 60 minutes.
Are you an immigration adviser or solicitor? See our certified translations for immigration lawyers. Based in West London? We also serve Isleworth, Richmond and Twickenham.
Get a quote for your certified translation
Related reading
- How certified translations get accepted by UK Visas and courts: Italian and French examples
- When the clock was ticking: certified translation for a UK spouse visa
FAQ
Does UKVI accept translations from any agency?
Yes, as long as the translation includes the required statement and details and can be verified.
Do I need the translation notarised?
Usually not for visa applications.
Can you translate from a scan or photo?
Yes. We work from clear scans or photos of the original.
Is it the same for EU Settlement Scheme, citizenship and settlement applications?
Yes. The same certification standard applies to all UKVI applications.
More answers: certified translation FAQs.