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Destination country
Tell us where the completed document will be used.
Translation and apostille support
Apostille Translation UK for Documents Used Abroad
Prepare UK documents for official use overseas with the appropriate translation, certification, notarisation and apostille sequence. Send the destination authority's instructions with your files so the correct route can be checked before work begins.
100+ languages supported
Certified and notarised routes
Paper and digital requirements considered
Published starting price
From £89.99 per page
Published apostille translation turnaround: 3–5 working days. Final details are confirmed after review.
Get the order of steps right
Start With the Destination, Not Just the Document
“Apostille translation” can describe several different routes. The receiving authority determines whether the original document, the translation or a notarial signature needs legalisation.
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Receiving authority
Name the court, consulate, registry, university, employer or other organisation receiving it.
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Written requirements
Include any instructions referring to certification, notarisation, apostille, sworn translation or legalisation.
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Document format
Confirm whether the recipient expects original documents, certified copies, paper apostilles or digital files.
Clear answer
What Is Apostille Translation?
Apostille translation combines document translation with the legalisation requirements that apply when a UK document is being submitted abroad.
An apostille does not translate a document. It is a separate legalisation certificate issued through the UK Legalisation Office after an eligible signature, stamp or seal has been checked.
The translator prepares the translation. Depending on the destination authority, the original UK document may be apostilled first and translated afterwards, or a certified or notarised translation may require a later apostille step.
The receiving authority's written instructions should take priority over a general process. Confirm exactly which document, signature or declaration needs to be legalised before starting.
Translation
Converts the document into the language required by the recipient.
Certification
Confirms the translation is complete and accurate with appropriate identifying details.
Notarisation
Authenticates the relevant signature, declaration, copy or document-related act where requested.
Apostille
Legalises an eligible UK signature, stamp or seal for the applicable international process.
Choose the correct sequence
Which Translation and Apostille Route Applies?
Select the situation closest to your requirements. The final sequence should always reflect the instructions supplied by the organisation receiving the document.
Apostille the eligible UK document, then translate it
This route may apply when the overseas authority wants the original UK document, signature, stamp or seal legalised before translation.
- Confirm whether the original or certified copy is needed
- Complete solicitor or notary certification first if required
- Arrange the required apostille format
- Translate the completed apostilled document package
The certified or notarised translation may need its own apostille
Some authorities require the translation declaration, translator's signature or notarial certificate to be legalised.
- Identify the signature requiring legalisation
- Prepare the complete translation and declaration
- Complete notarisation where requested
- Submit the eligible signature for legalisation
Check document eligibility and e-Apostille acceptance
An e-Apostille is supplied digitally, but the document must meet the relevant electronic-signature requirements and the recipient must accept the electronic format.
- Confirm the recipient accepts an e-Apostille
- Check whether the document type is eligible
- Confirm the required electronic PDF format
- Check how the translated version must be supplied
An apostille may not be the final step
Some destinations or receiving organisations may also request embassy attestation, consular legalisation or a locally recognised sworn translation.
- Confirm the destination country's procedure
- Check whether embassy or consular steps follow
- Check whether a locally recognised sworn translator is needed
- Allow for each separate external processing stage
What the service can cover
Translation Prepared Around the Legalisation Route
The exact combination depends on the document, destination country and organisation receiving it.
Document translation
Readable wording, references, stamps, seals and annotations are translated or represented as appropriate.
Certified translation
A certification statement can identify the translation as complete and accurate with the required identifying details.
Notarial preparation
A declaration or signature can be prepared for a notarial step where the recipient specifically requests one.
Apostille-related coordination
The sequence can be reviewed so translation, certification and legalisation take place in the appropriate order.
Digital document delivery
Translated files can be supplied electronically where the receiving organisation accepts digital submission.
Complete-document checking
Names, dates, figures, reference numbers and visible apostille wording are checked before delivery.
Documents commonly prepared
Personal, Academic, Legal and Business Documents
Certain UK public documents can be legalised directly. Other documents or copies may first need an eligible signature or certification from a recognised UK public official such as a solicitor or notary.
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Birth, marriage and death certificates
Civil registration and family documents
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Degrees and academic transcripts
Education and professional recognition
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Powers of attorney
Property, business and legal authority
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Company documents
Companies House and corporate records
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Court and legal documents
Orders, judgments, agreements and declarations
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Police and background certificates
Criminal-record and disclosure documents
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Medical certificates
Signed medical and professional evidence
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Certified identity-document copies
Passports, driving licences and identity evidence
Documents issued outside the UK cannot receive a UK apostille through the UK Legalisation Office. They normally need to be legalised in the country where they were issued.
Published apostille translation price
£89.99
From, per page
3–5 working days
Published apostille translation turnaround
Price and timing
Know the Starting Point Before You Order
The final price and schedule are confirmed after the complete document and intended use have been reviewed. The correct route matters because apostille translation can involve different combinations of translation, certification, notarisation and legalisation-related preparation.
- Language combination and document length
- Number and type of documents
- Certification or notarisation requirements
- Apostille format and document sequence
- Digital or hard-copy delivery requirements
How the process works
From Document Review to Completed Translation
The sequence is checked before work begins because the apostille may apply to the original document, a certified copy or a notarised translation declaration.
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Upload the documents
Send clear copies of every page, reverse side, seal and attachment.
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Confirm the destination
Provide the country, authority, language and submission deadline.
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Agree the sequence
Confirm whether certification, notarisation or apostille comes first.
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Translate and check
The relevant document package is translated and reviewed.
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Receive the final files
The completed translation is supplied in the agreed format.
Apostille format
Paper Apostille or e-Apostille?
Both routes are applied for online, but they use different document formats and are not available for every document type. Check what the receiving authority will accept before choosing a digital route.
| Requirement | Paper apostille | e-Apostille |
|---|---|---|
| Document submission | Physical documents are submitted according to the instructions provided for the application. | Eligible electronically signed PDF documents are uploaded. |
| Final delivery | The legalised document is returned physically. | The completed legalised PDF is supplied electronically. |
| Recipient check | Confirm that a physical apostille is required or accepted. | Confirm that the receiving authority accepts an electronic apostille. |
| Document eligibility | Used for eligible paper documents subject to the applicable signature, stamp and seal requirements. | Not available for every document type and subject to electronic-signature requirements. |
| Translation delivery | The translation may be supplied as a printed or digital file according to the recipient's instructions. | The translation format should match the receiving organisation's digital-document requirements. |
A recipient can still require a paper apostille even where an electronic route may otherwise be available. Confirm the required format before legalisation or translation is finalised.
Prepare the request
What to Send and What to Confirm
Providing complete information at the beginning helps reduce the risk of translating the wrong document version or preparing the wrong signature for legalisation.
Send with your order
- A clear copy of every relevant page
- Source and target languages
- Destination country and receiving organisation
- The authority's written instructions
- Your deadline and preferred delivery format
- Preferred spellings where transliteration is required
Confirm with the recipient
- Which document or signature needs the apostille
- Whether an original or certified copy is required
- Whether translation comes before or after legalisation
- Whether paper or e-Apostille is accepted
- Whether each document needs a separate apostille
- Whether embassy or consular legalisation follows
Questions customers often ask
Apostille Translation FAQs
The receiving organisation controls the required sequence, document format and level of legalisation. Include its written instructions whenever possible.
What is apostille translation?
It is translation prepared in connection with an apostilled or soon-to-be-apostilled document. The apostille legalises an eligible UK signature, stamp or seal, while the translation makes the document readable in the required language.
What does an apostille translator do?
The translator prepares and, where appropriate, certifies the translation. The apostille itself is issued through the UK Legalisation Office, not by the translator.
Should I translate the document before or after the apostille?
It depends on what the receiving authority wants legalised. Some require the original UK document to be apostilled first and the completed package translated afterwards. Others require a certified or notarised translation to undergo its own apostille process.
Can you translate a document that has already been apostilled?
Yes. Send the complete apostilled document package together with the destination authority's instructions. This makes it possible to determine whether the apostille certificate itself must also appear in the translation.
Does an apostille prove that a translation is accurate?
No. An apostille verifies an eligible signature, stamp or seal. Translation accuracy is addressed through the translation, checking process and any certification statement supplied with it.
Does the apostille certificate also need translating?
It may need to be included when the recipient requires the complete legalised document package in the target language. Confirm this before the final translation is prepared.
Can a document issued outside the UK receive a UK apostille?
No. Documents issued outside the UK normally need legalisation through the relevant authority in the country where they were issued.
Do I need a solicitor or notary before the apostille?
Some documents can be legalised using an existing recognised public signature, stamp or seal. Other documents or certified copies may first need an appropriate UK solicitor or notary step.
Can I use an e-Apostille for every document?
No. The document must be eligible, supplied in the required electronic format and accepted by the receiving organisation. Some document categories are not eligible for the electronic route.
Is an apostille the same as notarisation?
No. Notarisation deals with the relevant signature, declaration, copy or document-related act. An apostille is a separate legalisation certificate for an eligible UK signature, stamp or seal.
Do all destinations require only an apostille?
Not necessarily. Some destinations or organisations may also request embassy attestation, consular legalisation or a locally recognised sworn translation after the UK apostille.
How long does apostille translation take?
The website's published apostille translation turnaround is 3–5 working days. The final schedule is confirmed after the document, translation requirements and any certification, notarisation, legalisation or delivery steps have been reviewed.
How much does apostille translation cost?
The published starting price is £89.99 per page. The final total depends on factors such as the language, document length, number of documents, certification or notarisation requirements, apostille route and delivery method.
Ready to prepare your documents?
Start Your Translation and Apostille Request
Upload the document and include the destination country, receiving organisation, language, deadline and any written instructions. The appropriate translation and legalisation sequence can then be reviewed.