What are certified translations?

Certified translations are high quality translations that carry a written confirmation assuring the truthfulness and accuracy of the translation. Along with the confirmation there are other details which are also mentioned on the translated document. These include the date of the translation, the name and contact details of the translator or a representative of the translation company.

For most purposes regular translations are sufficient, it is only when the translated document is required for official or government use that you would need to obtain a certified translation. We are the best company for certified translations in the UK. Our certified translation services have helped thousands of companies as well as individuals in getting their important documents accepted by various organizations and institutions.

A certified translation will satisfy UK organizations such as the Home Office, consulates, insurance companies, academic and educational institutions, UK Naric, UK employers, banks and the Passport Agency. Legalisation requirements do however vary from institution to institution and from country to country, so if you are in any doubt as to what type of certification is necessary for your document you should contact the relevant institution directly.

If submitting your translated document to a UK court it was previously necessary to have it certified before a solicitor. The rules have changed, and the translator can simply sign a standard statutory declaration which we use here at Certified Translation Services. If the translation is to be used outside the UK it may also require certification by a Notary Public and legalisation by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) as well as translation. Please contact your local consular service for more information to ensure you request the correct level of certification.

For translations that will be sent abroad, it is sometimes necessary to have the declaration signed in the presence of a Notary Public, depending on the purpose of the translation and the country where it will be used.

In some countries, such as Brazil, translators undergo a selective examination process or are appointed by a court or Government authority to be recognized as “sworn translators”. In such cases, a translation by a sworn translator is an official document in its own right and no further certification or legalisation is usually required for official use in that country.

We only require a clear legible copy and don’t need the original document itself. So you can send the document using any of our website forms, by email, by uploading it using our Free Quotation form, by faxing it to us on +44 (0) 208711 3434 or by posting us a copy of your document. You can upload documents in Word format (.doc or .docx), PDF format, Open Office format (.odt), as Rich Text (.rtf), or as scanned images in .JPG format.

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