Translation and apostille support

Apostille Translation Services for UK Documents

Q: What is an apostille translation?

An apostille translation is a 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.

Prepare UK documents for official use abroad with the appropriate translation, certification, notarisation and apostille route. Send the destination authority’s instructions with your files so the steps can be confirmed in the correct order.

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100+ languages supported
Certified and notarised routes
Paper and digital requirements considered

Translation

Converts the document into the required language

Certification

Confirms the translation is complete and accurate

Notarisation

Authenticates a signature or declaration where requested

Apostille

Legalises an eligible UK signature, stamp or seal

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 the document. It is an official certificate issued through the UK Legalisation Office after an eligible signature, stamp or seal has been checked against its records.

An apostille translator prepares the translation. The translator does not personally issue the apostille. Depending on the destination authority, the original document may be apostilled before translation, or the translated declaration may require a notarial and apostille process of its own.

Review the official UK document legalisation guidance before submitting original documents.

The three separate functions

Translation, authentication and legalisation are not interchangeable

Each stage answers a different question about the document. Your recipient decides which stages are required.

01 Translation What does the source document say in the language required by the recipient?
02 Notarial or professional certification Who prepared, signed or certified the translated or copied document?
03 Apostille legalisation Is the relevant UK signature, stamp or seal recognised by the Legalisation Office?

Choose the correct sequence

Which translation and apostille route applies?

Select the closest situation for practical guidance. The receiving authority’s written instructions should take priority over a general process.

Original document legalised first

Apostille the eligible UK document, then translate the completed document

This route may be appropriate when the overseas authority wants evidence that the original UK document, signature, stamp or seal has been legalised. Translating afterward also allows the apostille certificate to be included in the translation when required.

Confirm whether the original or a certified copy is required
Complete any solicitor or notary certification first
Arrange the required apostille format
Translate the final apostilled document package

Send the Document for Review

Translation signature legalised

The certified or notarised translation may need its own apostille

Some authorities want the translation declaration, translator’s signature or notarial certificate legalised. In that situation, the translation may need to be completed, certified and notarised before the relevant signature can be submitted for an apostille.

Identify the exact signature requiring legalisation
Prepare the complete translation and declaration
Complete notarisation where required
Submit the eligible signature for legalisation

View Notarised Translation

Digital legalisation route

Check both document eligibility and recipient acceptance

An e-Apostille is issued digitally and can be shared electronically. The underlying PDF must meet the Legalisation Office’s electronic-signature requirements, and several document categories are not eligible for this route.

Confirm that the recipient accepts an e-Apostille
Check whether the document type is eligible
Use the required electronically signed PDF
Confirm how the translated version must be supplied

Check Official Eligibility Guidance

Further international formalities

An apostille may not be the final step for every destination

Where the receiving country or organisation asks for embassy attestation, consular legalisation or a locally sworn translation, additional stages may follow the UK apostille.

Confirm the destination country’s procedure
Check whether embassy attestation is required
Check whether the translation must be locally sworn
Allow time for each external processing stage

Ask About the Destination

What the service can cover

Translation prepared around the legalisation route

The exact combination depends on the document, its destination and the organisation receiving it.

Document translation

Readable wording, references, stamps, seals and annotations are translated or represented as appropriate.

Certified translation

A statement can identify the translation as complete and accurate, with appropriate identifying details.

Notarial preparation

The declaration or signature can be prepared for a notarial step where the recipient requires one.

Apostille-related coordination

The document sequence can be reviewed so translation and legalisation take place in the appropriate order.

Digital document delivery

Translated files can be supplied electronically where the recipient accepts a digital submission route.

Complete-document checking

Names, dates, figures, reference numbers and attached apostille wording are checked before delivery.

Documents commonly prepared

Personal, academic, legal and business documents

The UK Legalisation Office can legalise certain public documents directly. Other document types may first need a recognised UK public official, such as a solicitor or notary, to certify an eligible signature or copy.

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.

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Birth, marriage and death certificates Civil registration and family documents

Degree certificates and transcripts Education and professional recognition

Powers of attorney Property, business and legal authority

Company documents Companies House and corporate records

Court and legal documents Orders, judgments, agreements and declarations

Police and background certificates Criminal-record and disclosure documents

Medical certificates Signed medical and professional evidence

Certified identity-document copies Passports, driving licences and identity evidence

How the process works

From document review to completed translation

The precise sequence is confirmed before work begins because the apostille may apply to the original document, a certified copy or a notarised translation declaration.

Upload the documents

Send clear copies of every page, reverse side, seal and attachment.

Confirm the destination

Provide the country, authority, language and submission deadline.

Agree the sequence

Confirm whether certification, notarisation or apostille comes first.

Translate and check

The relevant document package is translated and reviewed.

Receive the final files

The completed translation is supplied in the agreed format.

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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. A recipient can require a paper apostille even where an e-Apostille might otherwise be available.

Requirement	Paper apostille	e-Apostille
Document submission	Physical documents are submitted following the instructions given after application.	Eligible electronically signed PDF documents are uploaded.
Final delivery	The legalised document is returned by post or courier.	The completed legalised PDF is supplied electronically.
Recipient check	Confirm that a physical apostille is required or accepted.	Confirm that the authority accepts an electronic apostille.
Document eligibility	Used for eligible paper documents, subject to signature, stamp and seal requirements.	Unavailable for several document categories, including certain civil and criminal-record certificates.
Translation delivery	The translated document may be provided as a printed or digital file according to the submission instructions.	The translation format should match the recipient’s digital-document requirements.

Prepare the request

What to send and what to confirm

Supplying complete information at the beginning helps avoid translating the wrong version or legalising the wrong signature.

Send with your order

A clear copy of every page of the document
The source and target languages
The destination country and receiving organisation
The authority’s written instructions
Your deadline and preferred delivery format
Preferred name spellings where transliteration is needed

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 a paper apostille or e-Apostille is accepted
Whether a separate apostille is needed for each document
Whether embassy or consular legalisation follows

Upload Your Documents

Questions customers often ask

Apostille translation FAQs

The receiving authority controls the required sequence, format and legalisation level.

Have written instructions from an overseas authority? Send them with your document .

What is an apostille translation?

It is a 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 authorities want the original UK document apostilled first and the complete apostilled document translated afterward. Others want a certified or notarised translation to receive its own apostille.

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 translator’s work, review and certification statement.

Does the apostille certificate also need translating?

It may need to be included when the recipient wants the full 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. The UK Legalisation Office service is for eligible UK documents. A document issued abroad normally needs legalisation through the relevant authority in its country of issue.

Do I need a solicitor or notary before the apostille?

Some documents can be legalised based on an existing recognised public signature, stamp or seal. Other documents or copies may first need to be certified by a UK solicitor or notary.

Can I use an e-Apostille for every document?

No. The document must be eligible, supplied in the required electronically signed PDF format and accepted by the recipient. Several document types cannot use the e-Apostille route.

Is an apostille the same as notarisation?

No. A notary authenticates or witnesses the relevant signature, declaration, copy or document. 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 authorities may require embassy attestation, consular legalisation or a locally recognised sworn translation after the UK apostille.

How long does translation with an apostille take?

The schedule depends on the translation, document eligibility, any required solicitor or notary step, the selected apostille route and postal or external legalisation processing. A delivery estimate should be confirmed after the documents and instructions are reviewed.

How much do translation and apostille services cost?

The final cost depends on the language, document length, translation requirements, number of documents, certification or notarisation needs, apostille format and delivery method. Submit the documents for a confirmed service route and price.

Ready to prepare your documents?

Start your translation and apostille request

Upload the document and include the destination country, receiving authority, language, deadline and written instructions. The correct translation, certification, notarisation and legalisation sequence can then be reviewed.

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