Certified Translation
A translated document accompanied by certification details confirming its relationship to the source.
View certified translation
Professional document translation
About Official Translation Service
We help individuals, solicitors, businesses and organisations prepare translated documents for official, professional and international use.
Our role is to make the process clearer: review the document, understand where it will be submitted and identify the translation, certification and delivery route that matches the stated requirements.
Individuals
Personal, civil and immigration documents
Solicitors
Legal, court and supporting case documents
Businesses
Corporate, financial and commercial content
Organisations
Academic, medical and specialist records
What we do
Helping you choose the correct translation route
Official document translation is not a single fixed service. The required format depends on the document, destination country, receiving organisation and its written instructions.
We provide certified translation alongside notarised, apostille-related, sworn, UKVI and urgent routes. Specialist support is also available for legal, medical, academic, immigration, business, financial and technical content.
When a customer is unsure which route applies, the starting point is the wording used by the organisation receiving the document—not an unnecessary additional formality.
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Start with the intended use
Tell us which authority, court, university, employer or organisation will receive the translation.
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Review the complete document
Every relevant page, stamp, signature, seal and note should be visible before the route is confirmed.
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Confirm the required format
Digital delivery, printed copies, certification and additional formalities are checked at the outset.
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Agree the price and timeline
The service, cost and expected turnaround are confirmed after the document has been reviewed.
Core translation services
Different routes for different requirements
The correct route should follow the receiving organisation’s instructions rather than adding certification or legalisation steps that have not been requested.
UKVI Translation
Certified translation prepared around the requirements of a UK visa, settlement or Home Office submission.
View UKVI translationNotarised Translation
A route involving notarial witnessing or authentication when the receiving organisation specifically requests it.
View notarised translationApostille Translation
Translation support where an apostille or legalisation step forms part of an overseas submission process.
View apostille translationSworn Translation
Translation completed or certified under a destination country’s sworn or authorised-translator system.
View sworn translationUrgent Translation
A faster delivery route combined with the certification or verification format the document still requires.
View urgent translation
Who we support
Translation guidance for different customers
The document may be personal, legal or commercial, but the same principle applies: establish its purpose before deciding how the translation should be prepared.
Personal document support
Clear guidance for personal submissions
We help customers prepare personal and civil documents for applications, registrations, study, employment and overseas procedures.
- Birth and marriage certificates
- Passports and identity documents
- Police and civil-status records
- Degrees and academic transcripts
- Bank statements and supporting evidence
- Visa and immigration documents
Professional case support
Translation for solicitors and professional advisers
Legal and professional documents are reviewed with their subject matter, intended proceeding and required certification route in mind.
- Court and tribunal documents
- Contracts and formal correspondence
- Witness and supporting evidence
- Immigration case documents
- Financial and company records
- Notarised, apostille and sworn routes
Organisational content
Specialist translation for professional organisations
Business, academic, medical and technical content requires terminology and context appropriate to its audience and intended use.
- Corporate and commercial documents
- Academic records and institutional material
- Medical reports and healthcare documents
- Financial statements and records
- Software and technical documentation
- Policies, reports and presentations
Personal guidance
Advice based on the document and destination
Customers are not expected to know the difference between every certification, notarial, apostille or sworn route before making contact.
Providing the document, destination authority and any written instructions allows the team to identify the most suitable path and avoid adding unnecessary formalities.
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The document
Send a clear copy of every relevant page, including stamps, seals, signatures and handwritten notes.
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The destination
Identify the country, authority, court, embassy, university, employer or organisation receiving it.
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The instructions
Include any wording about certification, notarisation, legalisation, sworn translation or original copies.
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The deadline and delivery
State when the document is required and whether a digital file, postal copy or further formality is needed.
Our working principles
Accuracy, security and responsive service
Official documents often contain sensitive information and must preserve names, dates, terminology and document structure carefully.
Careful translation and review
Professional linguists work with official, legal, immigration, academic, business and other specialist documents. Completed work is checked before delivery.
- Names, dates and figures reviewed
- Terminology considered in context
- Complete source content followed
- Agreed format prepared for delivery
Confidential document handling
Personal, legal, medical and financial files can contain sensitive information. Documents are handled confidentially throughout the review, translation and delivery process.
- Secure online file submission
- Controlled project handling
- Clear delivery arrangements
- No unnecessary public document sharing
Standard and priority options
The available turnaround depends on the document, language pair, volume and required formalities. Standard and express routes can be confirmed after the files are reviewed.
- Timeline confirmed before work begins
- Urgent availability reviewed individually
- Digital PDF delivery available
- Postal copies arranged where required
Understanding the terminology
What is an official translation?
“Official translation” is a general phrase used for a translation intended for submission to an authority, institution, court, employer or other formal recipient.
The exact translation format is not identical in every country or situation. One organisation may ask for a certified translation, while another may require a notary, an apostille or a translator authorised under its local legal system.
The safest approach is to follow the recipient’s exact wording and provide those instructions when submitting the document.
Certified
Commonly requested for formal submissions in the UK,
with certification details supplied alongside the
translation.
Notarised
Used when the recipient specifically requires a
declaration, signature or identity to be witnessed
or authenticated by a notary.
Apostille-related
Relevant when legalisation forms part of the process
for using a document in another country.
Sworn
Required in some jurisdictions where the translator
must hold a formally sworn or authorised status.
Urgent
Describes delivery priority and does not replace the
certification or verification route the recipient
requires.
Do not order extra formalities automatically.
A certified translation does not necessarily need notarisation or an apostille. Check what the receiving organisation specifically requests.
How the service works
From document review to completed delivery
The process begins with the source document and the instructions of the organisation that will receive it.
Send your files
Upload a clear scan, PDF or photograph showing every relevant page and document detail.
Confirm the purpose
State the required language, receiving organisation, destination country and deadline.
Translation and checking
The document is translated, reviewed and prepared with the agreed certification or verification route.
Receive the final files
The completed digital document is supplied, with postal copies or further steps arranged where needed.
Documents and languages
Support for personal and specialist content
Start with the document type when you need specific guidance, or browse the language directory to check the relevant language service.
Frequently requested documents
Specialist translation sectors
Legal translation
Medical translation
Academic translation
Immigration translation
Business translation
Browse all industry services
Translation in 100+ languages
Browse language-specific information for certified translation into and from English across personal, legal, academic and business documents.
About our service
Questions about Official Translation Service
Answers about the company’s services, customers, document handling, ordering process and translation routes.
What does Official Translation Service do?
Official Translation Service provides certified, UKVI, notarised, apostille-related, sworn, urgent and specialist document translation for individuals, solicitors, businesses and organisations.
Who can use the translation service?
The service supports private individuals, legal professionals, businesses, educational institutions and other organisations requiring translated documents for formal or professional use.
What is an official translation?
It is a general term for a translation prepared for a formal recipient. The exact route may be certified, notarised, apostille-related or sworn depending on the recipient’s instructions and destination country.
How do I know which service I need?
Send the document and the exact instructions from the receiving authority. The document type, destination, deadline and required format can then be reviewed before the route is confirmed.
Which documents can be translated?
Documents may include civil certificates, identity documents, academic records, legal files, medical reports, financial records, immigration evidence, business documents and technical content.
Which languages are available?
The website provides translation services across 100+ languages. Send the source and target languages with the document so availability can be confirmed.
How are confidential documents handled?
Personal, legal, medical and financial files are handled confidentially throughout document review, translation, checking and delivery.
Can I order a translation online?
Yes. The order page allows you to submit a clear scan, PDF or photograph and provide details about the language, receiving organisation and deadline.
Are urgent translation options available?
Standard and priority routes are available for suitable documents. The achievable turnaround depends on the language pair, length, certification requirements and current availability.
Can I receive a printed translation?
Digital PDF delivery is available, and postal copies can be arranged when the receiving organisation requires a printed or originally signed version.
Ready to begin?
Send your document and submission instructions
Upload a clear copy and explain where the translation will be used, which language is required and when it is due. The appropriate service, price and expected turnaround can then be confirmed.