How Much Does a Certified Translation Cost in the UK? (2026 Prices)
If you need to submit a foreign document to the Home Office, a university, the GMC or a UK court, you will almost certainly need a certified translation. One of the first questions our clients ask is simple: how much will it cost? This guide explains typical UK prices in 2026, what affects the final price, and how to avoid paying more than you should.
Average Cost of a Certified Translation in the UK
Most UK translation agencies charge for certified translations per page for standard official documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, police certificates), and per word for longer documents such as contracts or medical reports.
- Standard certified translation (24–48 hours): from £28 per page at FastCert
- Express / same-day translation: from £40 per page
- Long or technical documents: quoted per word after a free review
A single-page birth certificate is therefore usually one of the most affordable documents to translate, while a 20-page legal contract will be priced on its word count and complexity.
What Affects the Price of a Certified Translation?
1. Number of pages or words
The more text a document contains, the more time a qualified translator needs to translate, check and format it. Short civil documents are charged per page; dense documents are quoted per word.
2. Language pair
Common languages such as French, Spanish, Arabic, Polish or Romanian are generally priced at the standard rate. Rarer languages, or languages with fewer qualified translators in the UK, can cost slightly more.
3. Complexity and subject matter
Legal, medical and academic documents require specialist terminology. Handwritten entries, stamps, seals and poor-quality scans also take longer to process, because every official marking must be translated or described.
4. Turnaround time
Standard delivery (24–48 hours) is the most cost-effective option. If your visa appointment or deadline is tomorrow, an express same-day service is available at a higher rate.
5. Extra certification: notarisation or apostille
Most UK authorities, including UKVI and the Home Office, only require a standard certified translation. However, some foreign authorities or courts may ask for a notarised translation or an apostille, which involve additional fees. Always check what your receiving authority requires before ordering.
6. Hard copies and postage
A digital PDF certified translation is accepted for most online applications. If you need a signed paper copy posted to you, postage costs may apply.
Why the Cheapest Option Can Cost You More
It can be tempting to choose the lowest price online, but a rejected translation can delay your application by weeks and force you to pay twice. The most common problems we see with very cheap translations are:
- Missing or incomplete certification statement
- Stamps, seals and handwritten notes left untranslated
- Machine translation passed off as professional work
- No UK contact details for the translator or agency
Read our guide to the 5 most common certified translation mistakes to learn how to avoid them.
How to Get an Accurate Quote
The fastest way to know the exact price is to send us your document. To get an accurate quote:
- Upload a clear scan or photo of every page (both sides if printed on both sides)
- Tell us which authority the translation is for (UKVI, university, GMC, court…)
- Let us know your deadline
You will receive a clear, fixed price with no hidden fees. The price you are quoted is the price you pay.
Discounts for Multiple Documents and Businesses
If you are translating several documents at once — for example a full family visa application — ask us about volume pricing. Law firms, immigration advisers and companies with regular needs can benefit from our Business Pack.
Get Your Free Quote Today
FastCert Translations provides certified translations accepted by the Home Office, UKVI, GMC, NMC, UK universities and courts, delivered in 24–48 hours from £28 per page.
Request your free quote now — it only takes a few minutes. Have a question first? Contact our team.
