A full translation
Every relevant part of the source document should be represented, including visible official markings and annotations.
Visa and immigration document translation
UKVI Certified Translation Services for Home Office Applications
Send documents that are not in English or Welsh for a full certified translation prepared with the details required for independent verification by UK Visas and Immigration or the Home Office.
- Signed and stamped certified PDF
- Standard and urgent delivery options
- Printed copies available when required
From £29.99
Published starting price per page
2–3 days
Published standard turnaround
1 working day
Next-day service where available
Under 24 hours
Urgent route for suitable documents
Clear answer
What is a UKVI certified translation?
A UKVI certified translation is a complete translation of a supporting document that is not written in English or Welsh. It is accompanied by certification information that identifies who prepared it and enables the Home Office to verify the translation independently.
The translation should cover the complete relevant document rather than selected sentences. This can include headings, entries, document numbers, stamps, seals, signatures, handwritten additions and information on the reverse side where these details are legible and relevant.
The source-language document normally accompanies the certified translation. Your specific visa, settlement or citizenship route determines which evidence must be submitted, so its instructions should take priority over general guidance.
Certified translation for Home Office use
The important point is not simply the word “certified”. The finished document must be complete, accurately presented and supplied with the identifying and contact details required for verification.
Published document requirements
What a UKVI translation needs to contain
A usable submission requires both a complete translation and the certification details that identify the translator or translation company.
Accuracy confirmation
The certification should confirm that the translated document is an accurate translation of the original.
Date of translation
The completed translation should clearly show the date on which it was prepared or certified.
Name and signature
It should identify and carry the signature of the translator or an authorised translation-company official.
Contact details
Sufficient contact information should be provided so that the translation can be independently verified.
Certain application routes may specify further certification or credential information. Submit any written instructions with your files so the correct route can be reviewed before work begins.
View official supporting-document guidance
Visa and immigration supporting evidence
Documents commonly submitted for UKVI translation
The evidence required depends on your application route and personal circumstances. Send every relevant page, including reverse sides, attachments and pages containing stamps or handwritten information.
Identity and family documents
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce records, passports, identity cards, adoption records and name-change documents.
Academic and qualification evidence
Degrees, diplomas, academic transcripts, enrolment letters, professional qualifications and training records.
Financial and employment records
Bank statements, payslips, employment letters, tax records, pension statements and other financial evidence requested by the route.
Police and court documents
Police certificates, criminal-record checks, court orders, legal declarations, custody documents and supporting legal correspondence.
Family and relationship evidence
Family-register extracts, declarations, correspondence, custody records and documents showing a relationship or shared circumstances.
Sponsor and accommodation evidence
Sponsor letters, tenancy agreements, utility documents, accommodation evidence and related supporting material where requested.
Prepare your request
Is your document ready to upload?
Complete information makes it easier to review the file, confirm the correct certification route and provide an accurate price and delivery estimate.
- Use a clear PDF, scan or photograph.
- Include all relevant pages and reverse sides.
- Provide your exact application deadline.
- Attach any route-specific instructions.
How the service works
From document upload to certified delivery
The source document, translation and certification information are reviewed as one complete submission.
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Upload the documents
Send clear files showing all relevant pages, stamps, seals, signatures and reverse-side details.
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Confirm the application details
Provide the languages, UKVI route, deadline and preferred spelling of names.
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Translate and certify
The document is translated and prepared with the required accuracy and verification details.
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Check and deliver
The completed document is checked and supplied in the agreed digital or printed format.
Timings begin after the files, requirements, price and payment have been confirmed. Postal delivery or additional formalities require extra time.
Send your documents
Before delivery
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Checks for important document details
Names and transliteration
Names are checked for consistency with the spelling you provide from passports and existing application records.
Dates, numbers and references
Dates, certificate numbers, case references, financial figures and other identifiers are reviewed carefully.
Stamps, seals and annotations
Legible official markings, handwritten notes and relevant reverse-side information are represented where required.
Certification and presentation
The translation is organised clearly and supplied with the agreed accuracy statement and identifying details.
Published prices and turnaround
Choose a delivery route for your application deadline
Availability and final pricing depend on the language, document length, legibility, formatting and the time at which the order is confirmed.
Planned applications
£29.99
Starting price per page
The regular route where your submission deadline allows time for translation, certification and checking.
- Turnaround2–3 days
- DeliveryCertified PDF
- Hard copyAvailable
Closer deadlines
£59.99
Starting price per page
Accelerated processing for suitable documents required within one working day, subject to review and availability.
- Turnaround1 working day
- AvailabilityConfirmed first
- DeliveryDigital or print
Time-sensitive documents
£89.99
Starting price per page
The fastest published route for suitable documents with a confirmed urgent deadline.
- TurnaroundUnder 24 hours
- Document lengthSubject to review
- LanguageSubject to availability
These are published starting prices. The confirmed cost may change according to document length, language pair, formatting, certification requirements, legibility, deadline and delivery format.
Choose the correct route
UKVI, certified, notarised or apostilled?
These terms are not interchangeable. Use the service named in the instructions from the organisation receiving your document.
UKVI translation
A certified translation prepared for a visa, immigration, settlement or citizenship application involving documents that are not in English or Welsh.
This is the current service. Include your specific immigration route when ordering.
Certified translation
A complete translation supplied with a statement confirming accuracy and the identifying details required for official use.
Notarised translation
Translation with an additional notarial act when an authority expressly requires notarial verification.
Apostille support
A separate legalisation route commonly connected with documents being prepared for official recognition outside the UK.
Sworn translation
A jurisdiction-specific service for a country or receiving body that expressly requires an authorised sworn translator.
Avoid preventable delays
Common translation submission mistakes
A translation can be accurate while the overall application file remains incomplete. Review the source pages, certification details and application instructions together.
Uploading only the front page
Reverse-side stamps, notes, registration information or attached schedules may also need translation.
Cropping document numbers or stamps
The complete document should remain visible and identifiable, including its edges and official markings.
Using inconsistent spellings of names
Provide the spelling already used in the applicant’s passport and existing UK immigration records.
Missing certification information
The accuracy confirmation, date, identifying details, signature and contact information all need attention.
Adding unnecessary formalities
Do not add notarisation, an apostille or a sworn declaration unless the relevant instructions require that route.
Waiting until the submission deadline
Allow time for file review, questions, translation, checking and any printed-copy delivery.
Related services
Other official document translation routes
Select the route named by the receiving organisation or ask the team to review its instructions with your document.
Questions customers ask
UKVI certified translation FAQs
Requirements can differ between immigration routes. Your application instructions should always take priority over general information.
What is a UKVI certified translation?
A UKVI certified translation is a full translation of a supporting document that is not in English or Welsh. It includes an accuracy confirmation, the translation date, the translator’s full name and signature, and contact details so the translation can be independently verified.
What details must a certified translation for the Home Office contain?
It should confirm that the translation is accurate, show the date of translation, identify the translator or authorised company official, contain the relevant signature and provide verifiable contact details. Some routes may also request professional credentials.
Do I need to use a “UKVI-approved translator”?
Current public guidance focuses on a full translation from a professional translator or translation company that can be independently verified. It does not direct all applicants to one general public list of “UKVI-approved translators”. Follow the requirements for your specific immigration route.
Do all foreign-language documents need translating?
Translate the documents required as evidence for your application when they are not in English or Welsh. The exact evidence depends on the visa, settlement or citizenship route, so check its document list before ordering.
Should I submit the original-language document as well?
The certified translation normally accompanies the source-language document. Follow the upload or physical document-submission instructions supplied for your particular application.
Can I translate my own document or ask a family member?
UKVI guidance for many routes refers to a professional translator or translation company and requires independent verification. A translation prepared by the applicant or a family member may not satisfy those requirements.
Does a UKVI translation need to be notarised?
Notarisation is not automatically part of a UKVI certified translation. Add a notarial, apostille or sworn-translation step only when your route instructions or another receiving authority specifically requests it.
How long does a UKVI certified translation take?
The website publishes a standard turnaround of 2–3 days, next-day service within one working day and an urgent route under 24 hours. Availability depends on the document, language, length, quality and time of order confirmation.
How much does UKVI document translation cost?
Standard certified translation is published from £29.99 per page. The confirmed cost depends on the language, document content, formatting, urgency, legibility, certification requirements and delivery format.
Can I receive a printed certified translation?
Yes. The completed certified translation can be supplied as a digital PDF, with a printed hard copy arranged where the application route, receiving organisation or customer requires one.
Ready to begin?
Send your document and explain which UKVI route it supports
Include every relevant page, the source and target languages, your application route, exact deadline and any written certification instructions. The service, confirmed price and delivery route can then be reviewed before work begins.