Certified Translations
Have you been asked to provide a certified translation of your document? For example, a certified translation of a birth, marriage or death certificate or similar legal document?
You’re in the right place.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is a translation that is accompanied by a declaration from the translator attesting that the translation is a true and faithful rendering of the original document.
For example, you will need a certified translation when applying for a passport or driving licence, opening a bank account or when getting married in the UK or abroad or divorced, etc.
Government offices will only accept certified translations from professionally qualified translators such as Qualified Members and Fellows of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.
Head over to the Case Studies to read how I’ve helped private clients with certified translations of their important documents.
Certification is normally required for:
- Proof of residence certificates
- Birth, marriage and death certificates
- Divorce decrees
- Passports, identity cards, driving licences
- Proof of income
- Certificates of good conduct
- Court judgments
- Criminal record certificates
- Contracts of sale
- Academic certificates
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Submit your document online to receive your personalised quotation
Examples of specific documents for which certified translations can be provided are as follows:
French
- Bulletin numéro 3
- Acte de naissance/mariage/décès
- Extrait de l’acte de naissance/mariage/décès
- Attestation de résidence
- Procuration pour vendre/acheter
- Déclaration de succession
Spanish
- Certificado de antecedentes penales
- Certificado de nacimiento/matrimonio/defunción
- Certificación del acta de nacimiento/matrimonio/defunción
- Libro de familia
Italian
- Certificato del casellario giudiziale
- Certificato dei carichi pendenti
- Certificato di residenza
- Certificato di nascita/matrimonio/morte
- Estratto per riassunto dell’atto di nascita/matrimonio/morte
- Certificato di non impedimento al matrimonio
- Atto di vendita/Compravendita
FAQs – Certification
Will my certified translation be accepted?
Yes. I am a Fellow of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, one of the major translation associations in the UK whose qualified members and fellows are authorised to produce certified translations.
What does a certified translation look like?
A certified translation consists of 3 parts: (i) a certification page, (ii) the original document, (iii) the translation. The certification page shows my contact details and credentials, and also includes the certification statement confirming that the translation is accurate. The ITI seal is affixed onto the translation page. Click here for an example.
My document is not listed above. Can you still do a certified translation for it?
Don’t worry if your document is not listed above. I’ll be happy to advise on your particular document.
I’ve done my own translation. Can you certify it?
No. Under my professional indemnity insurance, I am required to certify that the translation is my own work.
How much does a certified translation cost?
A certified translation is slightly more expensive than a regular translation. Please see the fees page for details of the costs involved.
Do you provide digital and paper copies of certified translations?
Yes. At present, the recommendation is for all certified translations to be produced as hard copies and then converted into a digital format. Many government agencies, solicitors, etc. will accept a digital copy of a certified translation. Seek advice on this. If you would like to have the paper copy, this can be sent to you by post.
Do I need to send you paper copies of my documents?
No. It’s best to keep the original documents safe with you. If you can, please scan the documents and send them by email. As long as the scanned documents are legible, I will be able to work with them.
Do you provide sworn translations?
In the UK, we don’t have the concept of sworn translators or sworn translations. This is the equivalent of certified translation.
Do you offer legalisation or notarisation?
No. Please contact a reputable company like John Venn & Sons (https://www.johnvenn.co.uk/) for advice on legalisation and/or notarisation services.
I’m still unsure what I need to do for a certified translation. Can you help?
Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions about the certification process.