A full translation
The complete relevant document should be translated, including headings, stamps, seals, annotations and other meaningful content.
Visa and immigration document translation
UKVI Certified Translation Services
Full certified translations of documents that are not in English or Welsh, prepared with the information needed for independent verification by the Home Office.
- 100+ languages supported
- Digital and printed delivery options
- Standard and urgent turnaround routes
100+ languages
Personal, legal, academic and financial documents
2–3 working days
Standard service
1 working day
Express service
Within 24 hours
Same-day service where available
Clear answer
What is a UKVI certified translation?
A UKVI certified translation is a full translation of a supporting document that is not written in English or Welsh. It includes a certification statement and identifying details so the Home Office can independently verify who prepared it.
The translation should reproduce the complete document, including relevant headings, stamps, seals, handwritten notes and reverse-side information rather than translating only selected sentences.
The exact evidence required depends on the visa or immigration route. Check your application instructions before deciding which documents to translate.
A UKVI translation is not automatically the same as a notarised translation , apostille service or sworn translation. Those are separate document routes.
Published document requirements
What a UKVI translation needs to contain
A compliant submission is more than translated wording. The document must be complete and accompanied by information that allows the translator or translation company to be identified and contacted.
Five checks before submission
Review the finished translation against each requirement before adding it to the application.
Official guidance can vary by immigration route.
Read the current GOV.UK supporting-document guidance
.
Confirmation of accuracy
The translator or translation company should confirm that the translation is accurate and reflects the original document.
The translation date
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 appropriate official from the translation company.
Verifiable contact details
Contact information should be provided so the Home Office can independently verify the translation if necessary.
Documents commonly submitted
Visa and immigration supporting evidence
The documents needed depend on the application route and the applicant’s circumstances. Translate only the evidence that is relevant to your submission.
Provide every relevant page. Do not crop document
numbers, stamps, signatures, seals or handwritten notes.
Identity and civil-status documents
Passports, identity cards, birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce documents, adoption records and name-change documents.
Education and qualification evidence
Degrees, diplomas, transcripts, academic certificates, enrolment letters and professional qualification records.
Financial and employment documents
Bank statements, payslips, employment letters, tax documents, pension records and other financial evidence required by the route.
Police and legal records
Police certificates, criminal-record checks, court orders, legal declarations and other official records.
Family and relationship evidence
Family-register extracts, correspondence, declarations, custody records and documents showing a relationship or shared circumstances.
Sponsorship and accommodation evidence
Sponsor letters, tenancy documents, accommodation evidence and related supporting material where required by the application.
Timelines and delivery
Choose a turnaround that suits your application
Select the service level when ordering. Availability depends on the language, document length, image quality and any additional certification or delivery requirements.
Standard
Planned applications
2–3 working days
Suitable where your application deadline allows time for normal translation, certification and checking.
Express
Closer deadlines
1 working day
An accelerated route for suitable documents when the application needs to be prepared more quickly.
Same day
Urgent documents
Within 24 hours
Subject to file review, language availability, document length and the time at which the order is confirmed.
Digital PDF delivery is available. Printed certified copies can also be arranged when your submission route requires them.
How the service works
From document upload to certified delivery
The source document, translation and certification details are reviewed as one complete submission.
Upload the documents
Send clear files showing all relevant pages, stamps, seals, signatures and reverse sides.
Confirm the details
Provide the languages, deadline and preferred spelling of names as shown in passports or existing records.
Translate and certify
The document is translated and supplied with the required accuracy and verification details.
Check and deliver
The final files are checked and delivered in the agreed digital or printed format.
Interactive preparation checklist
Is your document ready to upload?
Tick each item as you prepare the request. The checklist does not submit or store any information.
Avoid preventable delays
Common translation submission mistakes
A translation may be accurate while the overall submission remains incomplete. Check the source file, certification wording and application instructions together.
Do not assume that notarisation, an apostille or a sworn-translator statement is required simply because the document is official. Add those services only when the relevant organisation specifically asks for them.
- Uploading only the front page Reverse-side stamps, notes or registration information may also need translation.
- Cropping stamps or document numbers The complete document should remain visible and identifiable.
- Using inconsistent name spellings Provide the spelling already used in the applicant’s passport and immigration records.
- Submitting a translation without certification details The accuracy statement, date, name, signature and contact details all matter.
- Leaving the translation until the application deadline Allow time for document review, questions, translation, checking and delivery.
Related services
Other official document translation routes
Choose the route named in the instructions provided by the receiving organisation.
Questions customers often ask
UKVI certified translation FAQs
Your visa route and document instructions should always take priority over general guidance.
Unsure which documents need translating?
Ask about your application documents
.
What is a UKVI certified translation?
It is a full translation of a supporting document that is not in English or Welsh, accompanied by an accuracy confirmation, date, translator identification, signature and contact details so it can be independently verified.
What details must the translation contain?
It should confirm that the translation is accurate, show the date of translation, identify the translator or authorised company official, include the relevant signature and provide contact details.
Do all foreign-language documents need translating?
Documents submitted as evidence that are not in English or Welsh generally need a certified translation. The exact evidence you must submit depends on the visa or immigration route.
Should I submit the original-language document as well?
The certified translation normally accompanies the source-language document. Follow the upload or document-submission instructions provided for your particular application.
Can a family member translate my documents?
Current caseworker guidance for several routes refers to a fully certified translation from a professional translator or translation company that can be independently verified. Using an independent professional provider avoids doubts about verification and certification details.
Does a UKVI translation need notarisation or an apostille?
Not automatically. Certified translation, notarisation and apostille legalisation are separate processes. Arrange an additional step only when your application instructions or another receiving organisation specifically requests it.
Can passports and identity documents be translated?
Yes. Confirm which pages are relevant and include any visas, stamps, handwritten amendments or reverse-side information required for the application.
Can bank statements and payslips be translated?
Yes. Financial documents can be translated when they form part of the evidence required by the application route. All relevant dates, amounts, headings and transaction descriptions should remain clear.
How should names be written in the translation?
Provide the spelling already used in the applicant’s passport and other immigration records. This helps keep names consistent across the application.
Can I receive the translation digitally?
Digital certified PDF delivery is available. Printed certified copies can also be arranged when the relevant process requires a physical document.
How long does UKVI certified translation take?
The standard service is normally 2–3 working days. Express service is available in 1 working day, while suitable urgent documents may be completed within 24 hours, subject to review and availability.
What file formats can I upload?
Clear scans, PDFs or photographs may be suitable for initial review. Make sure the complete document and all text remain visible and readable.
Ready to prepare your application documents?
Order your UKVI certified translation
Upload the complete document, confirm the source language, provide the preferred spelling of names and tell us your deadline and required delivery format.