Certified Translation UK

What is a certified translation?

A certified translation is an official translation accompanied by a signed statement from the translator or translation company confirming that the translated text is a true, accurate and complete rendering of the original document. In the UK, certified translations are required whenever a foreign-language document must be understood or accepted by a UK authority, court, employer or institution.

The certification statement typically includes the translator's name, qualifications, signature and date. It confirms that the translation is accurate and that the translator is competent in both the source and target languages. Unlike a notarised or sworn translation (terms used in some countries), a certified translation is the standard format accepted across UK immigration, legal and academic processes.

Who needs a certified translation?

You may need a certified translation if you are applying for a UK visa or immigration status, registering with a UK professional body such as the GMC or NMC, applying to a UK university, taking legal action or responding to court proceedings, changing your name or marital status on UK records, or submitting documents to any UK authority that does not accept your original foreign-language paperwork.

Families relocating to the UK, international graduates seeking professional registration, healthcare workers, legal professionals and individuals dealing with probate or inheritance matters in the UK are among the most common clients we support at FastCert.

Documents we certify

We translate and certify a broad range of personal, academic and legal documents. The most commonly requested include birth certificates, marriage and divorce certificates, death certificates, passports and national ID cards, police clearance certificates, academic diplomas and transcripts, medical degrees and training records, court judgments and legal contracts, bank statements and financial documents, employment letters and professional references, and corporate documents such as articles of association.

If your document type is not listed above, send us a scan via the quote form and we will confirm whether we can certify it and provide a price within a few hours.

Accepted by UK authorities

Our certified translations are prepared for use with: the Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for all visa routes including spouse, student, skilled worker and citizenship; the General Medical Council (GMC) and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) for overseas qualification verification; HM Courts and Tribunals Service for civil and family proceedings; UK universities for admissions, enrolment and credential assessment; the DVLA, HMPO and local councils; the UK-ENIC (formerly UK NARIC) for qualifications comparison; and embassies and consulates in the UK requiring English translations.

If you have a specific checklist from your solicitor, university or case officer, share it with us at the quote stage and we will align our certification wording accordingly.

How it works

1. Upload your document — Scan or photograph your document clearly and upload it using our secure quote form. You do not need the physical original at this stage. 2. Receive your quote — We review your document and send a fixed price with a delivery date, usually within a few hours. 3. Confirm and pay — Accept the quote online and pay securely. 4. Translation and certification — Our qualified translator completes the translation and attaches the signed certificate of accuracy. 5. Delivery — You receive your certified translation by email in PDF format, ready to use in any portal or file. Printed copies are available on request.

Pricing

Our standard rate for a certified translation of a single-page document such as a birth or marriage certificate is £28. Urgent or same-day processing is available from £40 per page. Multi-page documents, full application packs and business translation requests are priced per project after review. All prices include the certificate of accuracy.

We provide a fixed price before you commit, with no hidden extras. Prices may vary depending on language pair, document complexity and required turnaround. Request a free quote to get the exact figure for your specific document.

Turnaround times

Most standard certificates — birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances and academic diplomas — are completed within 24 to 48 hours of payment. Larger documents such as full court files, multi-page contracts or medical records packs may take two to five business days.

Express and same-day delivery is available for most documents. Let us know your submission deadline when you request a quote and we will confirm whether we can meet it. We handle urgent immigration and visa cases regularly and understand the pressure of missed deadlines.

Certified, notarised and sworn translations: what is the difference?

In the UK, "certified translation" is the standard term and the format required by the vast majority of authorities. A certified translation includes a translator's statement of accuracy — no solicitor or notary involvement is needed. A notarised translation goes further: a notary public witnesses and stamps the translator's declaration. Notarisation is rarely required in the UK but may be needed for certain foreign jurisdictions.

A sworn translation is a concept used in some European and Latin American countries, where translators must be officially appointed by a court or state body. If you need a document for a country that requires sworn translations, tell us the destination authority and we will advise on the correct format or refer you to the appropriate resource.

Why choose FastCert

FastCert Translations is a UK-registered company based in Buckinghamshire. We work with qualified, experienced translators and provide certified translations that meet the expectations of UK authorities. Our online process lets you request a quote, pay and receive your documents without visiting an office. We handle sensitive personal documents with care and do not share your files with anyone outside the translation process.

We have supported clients with visa applications, medical registrations, university admissions, court proceedings and commercial transactions. Our Google rating of 4.9 out of 5 reflects the feedback of clients who have successfully used our translations for official purposes.