Notarised Translation Services in the UK: Certified, Notarised and Apostilled by a London Notary Public

What are notarised translation services in the UK?

Notarised translation services in the UK combine a certified translation, produced by a qualified translator, with a UK notary public's signature and stamp witnessing that translator's declaration of accuracy — a two-step authentication accepted by foreign courts, embassies, consulates and universities that require more than a translator's certification alone.

How much do notarised translation services cost in the UK?

A UK notarised translation is priced in three layers: the certified translation itself from £25 per document or £0.10–£0.20 per word, the notary public's fee for witnessing the translator's signature, and — if required — the FCDO apostille fee.

What is the difference between certified, sworn, notarised and apostilled translation?

Certified translation carries a signed accuracy statement from the translator or agency; notarised adds a UK notary public witness on that signature; apostilled adds an FCDO stamp authenticating the notary for the 125+ Hague Convention countries; sworn translation is a foreign-court concept (France, Spain, Germany) that does not exist as a UK legal category.

Which documents typically require a notarised translation?

There are 6 document families that most often require notarised translation: personal civil documents (birth, marriage, death certificates), academic records (diplomas, transcripts), legal instruments (powers of attorney, court orders, affidavits), company incorporation documents, immigration bundles for overseas embassies, and financial statements for overseas asset transfers.

What is the process for getting a document translated and notarised?

The process for getting a document translated and notarised runs in 5 stages: send us the document, receive a fixed-fee quote, the ISO 17100 translation and second-linguist QC, the translator signs the certificate of accuracy, and a London notary public witnesses that signature and affixes the notarial seal.

How long does a notarised translation take in the UK?

A notarised translation takes 2–3 working days for the certified translation stage, plus 1–3 additional working days for the notary appointment and, where required, a further 2–5 working days for the FCDO apostille — same-day and weekend delivery on the translation stage is available at a 30–50% surcharge.

Documents that leave the UK for foreign courts, embassies, universities and consulates often need more than a translator's signature — they need a UK notary public to witness that signature, and sometimes an FCDO apostille on top. Certified Translation Services UK delivers the certified, notarised and apostilled tiers under one fixed-fee quote, in 150+ languages, from £25 per document.

What are notarised translation services in the UK?

Notarised translation services in the UK combine a certified translation, produced by a qualified translator, with a UK notary public's signature and stamp witnessing that translator's declaration of accuracy — a two-step authentication accepted by foreign courts, embassies, consulates and universities that require more than a translator's certification alone.

The three tiers of official translation used in the UK sit on top of each other:

Tier	What it adds	Typical price (GBP)	Turnaround	Used for
Certified translation	Signed certificate of accuracy from an ATC/CIOL/ITI translator or company	From £25 per document, or £0.10–£0.20 per word	2–3 working days	Home Office, UKVI, HM Courts, UK universities
Certified and notarised translation	Notary public witnesses the translator's signature and adds a notarial seal	Certified fee + the notary's fee, confirmed on quote	Certified stage + 1–3 working days for the notary appointment	Foreign embassies, consulates, overseas universities and courts
Apostilled translation	FCDO Legalisation Office stamp authenticating the notary's signature	Notarised fee + FCDO fee	+ 2–5 working days for the FCDO	The 125+ Hague Convention countries

The base layer sits inside our Certified Translation Services; the notary and apostille stages are added on request.

What does the notary public actually stamp?

The notary public does not verify the translation's linguistic accuracy — the notary witnesses the translator's identity and signature on the certificate of accuracy, then affixes a notarial seal and signature to the bundle. The notary confirms who signed the document, not whether the translation is accurate. Linguistic accuracy is the translator's responsibility, backed by the signed certificate of accuracy and our ISO 17100 second-linguist review.

Is a notarised translation the same as an official translation?

A notarised translation is one type of official translation — "official" in the UK covers certified, notarised and apostilled tiers, and the receiving authority decides which is needed. UK bodies rarely ask for more than a certified translation. Overseas authorities frequently insist on the notarised or apostilled tier for official purposes.

How much do notarised translation services cost in the UK?

A UK notarised translation is priced in three layers: the certified translation itself from £25 per document or £0.10–£0.20 per word, the notary public's fee for witnessing the translator's signature, and — if required — the FCDO apostille fee. Same-day or weekend delivery adds a 30–50% surcharge.

What does the certified translation layer cost?

The certified translation layer starts from £25 per document for short personal certificates — birth, marriage, death, diploma, passport, ID — and £0.10–£0.20 per word for longer documents, depending on language pair and subject. Every certified translation includes a signed certificate of accuracy at no extra cost.

What is a typical notary fee in the UK for a translation?

A UK notary public charges a per-signature fee for witnessing a translator's certificate of accuracy. The exact figure depends on the notary and the number of documents in the bundle. We confirm the notarial fee inside the fixed quote before you commit. That way the whole certified and notarised translation price is on one invoice, with no surprise charges at the notary appointment.

What are the four cost drivers on a notarised translation?

There are 4 cost drivers on every notarised translation:

1. Language pair rarity — Arabic, Mandarin and Ukrainian sit at the standard rate; smaller languages price higher.
2. Subject-matter complexity — legal, medical and technical texts price above general personal documents.
3. Document length beyond 250 words — per-word pricing takes over from the per-document minimum.
4. Urgency — same-day and weekend delivery add a 30–50% surcharge on the translation stage.

Do notarised translations attract UK VAT?

Notarised translation services attract standard UK VAT for private clients and UK-based businesses. Overseas business clients may be zero-rated under place-of-supply rules. We confirm the VAT treatment on the quote so the final figure is clear.

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What is the difference between certified, sworn, notarised and apostilled translation?

Certified translation carries a signed accuracy statement from the translator or agency; notarised adds a UK notary public witness on that signature; apostilled adds an FCDO stamp authenticating the notary for the 125+ Hague Convention countries; sworn translation is a foreign-court concept (France, Spain, Germany, Italy) that does not exist as a UK legal category.

Type	What it is	UK status
Certified	Signed statement of accuracy on translator or company letterhead	Accepted by Home Office, UKVI, HM Courts, universities
Notarised	Certified + notary public witness on the translator's signature	Used for foreign embassies, consulates, overseas universities
Apostilled	Notarised + FCDO stamp authenticating the notary	Required by Hague Convention destination countries
Sworn	Translator sworn before a foreign court	Not a UK legal category

What is a certified translation in the UK?

A certified translation in the UK is a word-for-word English (or Welsh) rendering of a source document, accompanied by a signed certificate of accuracy on translator or company letterhead. It is accepted by the Home Office, UKVI, HM Passport Office, HM Courts and UK universities. The certificate names the translator or agency, states that the translation is accurate and complete, and carries contact details for verification.

What is a sworn translation and does it exist in the UK?

A sworn translation is produced by a translator sworn before a court in countries such as France, Spain, Germany and Italy — the UK has no equivalent register. The closest UK equivalent is a certified translation from a Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) member, or an Association of Translation Companies (ATC) member agency. Where a foreign consulate demands a "sworn translation UK", a notarised translation from a CIOL/ITI translator is the accepted substitute.

When is a notarised translation needed instead of a certified one?

A notarised translation is needed when the receiving authority — usually a foreign court, embassy, consulate, overseas university or overseas patent office — will not accept a translator's certification alone and requires a notary public to witness the translator's signature. UK visa and court filings normally do not need the notarial layer.

When does the translation also need to be apostilled or legalised?

The notarised translation also needs an apostille when the receiving country is party to the 1961 Hague Convention (125+ countries). If the country is not a signatory, the document requires full consular legalisation through the destination country's embassy after FCDO authentication. The FCDO apostilles the notary's signature and seal, not the translation itself.

Receiving-authority decision tree: which tier do you actually need?

The correct tier depends on which receiving authority will use the translation, not on the document type. Many clients request notarisation when plain certified translation would suffice — and equally, some submit only a certified translation when the foreign authority explicitly requires a notary's stamp and an FCDO apostille. Choosing the wrong tier delays your application and may require the entire bundle to be resubmitted. Notarisation is usually requested directly by the governing body and can be used both within the United Kingdom and abroad, so always confirm requirements with the receiving authority before placing your order. The table below maps the most common receiving bodies to the tier they expect, giving you a clear starting point for your decision.

Receiving authority	Tier required	Notes
Home Office, UKVI, HM Passport Office	Certified	Notarisation is not required and is not requested by these bodies
HM Courts & Tribunals	Certified	A signed certificate of accuracy from a qualified translator is sufficient
UK ENIC (credential evaluation)	Certified	Standard certified translation meets their stated requirements
Foreign embassy or consulate in the UK	Notarised, often apostilled	Requirements vary by country; confirm with the specific embassy
Overseas university	Notarised, sometimes apostilled	Admissions offices in many countries require a notary's stamp
Overseas court or land registry	Notarised + apostille or consular legalisation	Apostille applies to 125+ Hague Convention countries; non-member countries require consular legalisation instead
Overseas patent office	Notarised, often apostilled	Technical documents frequently require both layers

When the destination country is not a signatory to the Hague Convention, an apostille is not valid and consular legalisation through the relevant embassy in London is required instead. If you are unsure which tier applies to your situation, our team will review the receiving authority's published requirements and confirm the correct service tier as part of your free, fixed-fee quote.

Which documents typically require a notarised translation?

There are 6 document families that most often require notarised translation: personal civil documents (birth, marriage, death certificates), academic records (diplomas, transcripts), legal instruments (powers of attorney, court orders, affidavits), company incorporation documents, immigration bundles for overseas embassies, and financial statements for overseas asset transfers.

Personal and civil documents

Personal and civil documents commonly notarised include:

Legal and corporate documents

Legal and corporate documents frequently require notarisation:

Immigration, academic and financial documents

Immigration bundles for foreign embassies, academic transcripts for overseas universities and financial statements for overseas asset transfers frequently require a notarised translation on top of the certified translation UK receiving authorities accept. Academic files are handled under our Academic Translation Services for UK Universities, Research and Credential Evaluation. Overseas medical school and GMC applications use our Medical Translation service. Visa-focused bundles run through Immigration Documents Translation.

Do I need to send original documents?

Original documents are not required for the translation itself — a clear scan or photograph of every page is enough. Originals are only requested when the receiving authority explicitly asks the notary to sight the original before witnessing.

Where is the notarisation performed?

Notarisation is performed by a commissioned London notary public we instruct on your behalf. The finished bundle is couriered to your address or held for collection at Suite 544, Unit B, 63-66 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8LE. Clients across the UK use this service without visiting London in person.

Can we arrange the apostille after notarising?

Yes — we handle the FCDO Legalisation Office apostille step end-to-end after the notary has stamped the translation, returning the fully apostilled bundle ready for the destination country. Sequencing matters: where the source document itself needs an apostille (for example a UK birth certificate for use abroad), the source is apostilled first, then the certified translation is produced, then the translation is notarised, then the notary's signature is apostilled. We map this on the quote so nothing is out of order.

How long does a notarised translation take in the UK?

A notarised translation has three sequential stages, each with its own timeline. The certified translation stage takes 2–3 working days, during which a qualified translator completes the translation under an ISO 17100 workflow and a second linguist reviews every word before the signed certificate of accuracy is produced. Once the certified translation is ready, the notary appointment adds a further 1–3 working days, during which a London notary public witnesses the translator's signature and applies their official stamp. Where an FCDO apostille is also required, that process adds a further 2–5 working days on top of the notary stage. The full end-to-end timeline for a notarised and apostilled document is therefore typically 5–11 working days from receipt of your source documents, depending on FCDO processing volumes at the time of your order.

Can a notarised translation be obtained in a hurry?

A notarised translation can be obtained in a hurry through our same-day and weekend service, which carries a 30–50% surcharge on the translation stage. Where urgent turnaround is booked, the notary appointment is scheduled in parallel wherever operationally possible, minimising the gap between translation completion and notarisation. Same-day FCDO apostille service is also available at an additional cost set by the FCDO. To activate the urgent service, simply flag your deadline when submitting your documents — our team will confirm feasibility and the applicable surcharge within your fixed-fee quote. We strongly recommend confirming the receiving authority's submission deadline before ordering, as the notary and apostille stages involve third-party bookings that cannot always be compressed further.

Can a solicitor or notary certify a translation in the UK?

A UK solicitor can certify a copy of a document as a true copy of the original — confirming that a photocopy matches a document they have inspected — but a solicitor cannot verify a translation's linguistic accuracy and cannot certify that the translated text faithfully represents the source. That certificate of translation accuracy must come from a qualified translator, not a solicitor. Solicitor certification alone is not accepted by most foreign authorities that require a notarised translation, because the solicitor is attesting to document identity, not to the quality or completeness of the translated text.

A notary public's role in the notarised translation workflow is equally specific: the notary witnesses the translator's signature and verifies the translator's identity, but does not independently assess the linguistic accuracy of the translation. This distinction matters — the notary's stamp authenticates the translator's declaration, not the translation itself. The result is a legally robust package in which the translator vouches for accuracy and the notary vouches for the translator's identity, producing a document that foreign courts, land registries, embassies and overseas universities are equipped to rely upon.

Who is a qualified translator in the UK context?

A qualified translator in the UK context is a member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), or a translator working under an ISO 17100-compliant process within a professional translation company. Our in-house linguists hold ISO 17100 translation services certification and include members of both the Institute of Translation and Interpreting and the Chartered Institute of Linguists, ensuring that the translator's declaration presented to the notary is backed by verifiable professional credentials. Every certified translator on our roster meets one of these criteria before being assigned to a notarised translation project.

Are notarised translations accepted by UK authorities and embassies?

UK authorities such as the Home Office, UKVI, HM Passport Office and HM Courts accept a certified translation for most purposes and rarely require notarisation. Foreign embassies, consulates and overseas universities frequently do require the notarised or apostilled tier, and each receiving body publishes its own requirement.

Home Office, UKVI and HM Courts

The Home Office, UKVI and HM Courts accept a certified translation carrying a signed statement of accuracy from an ATC/CIOL/ITI translator or company. Notarisation is not required for standard immigration and court filings, and a UK visa application does not require a notarised translation.

Foreign embassies, consulates and overseas courts

Foreign embassies, consulates and overseas courts routinely require the notarised or apostilled tier because they cannot verify a UK translator's certification directly. The notary and FCDO stamps provide that chain of authentication — the translator signs, the notary witnesses, the FCDO authenticates the notary.

Can I get a notarised translation of a non-UK issued document?

Yes — a non-UK issued document can be fully translated and notarised in the United Kingdom, regardless of the country in which the source document was originally issued. This applies equally to birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic transcripts, company registration documents, court orders, property deeds and any other foreign-issued instrument that requires translation into English or from English into another language.

The source document must be legible and complete — a clear scan or high-resolution photograph of every page is sufficient to begin the translation process, and we will flag any legibility issues before work commences. Where the source document itself must also be legalised for use in its country of origin, it is standard practice for that document to be apostilled in the country of origin first; the UK translation and notarisation then form a second layer applied to the apostilled original. Getting this sequence right is essential, because reversing the order can render the bundle invalid with the receiving authority.

Where consular legalisation is required — for countries not party to the Hague Convention — we can organise legalisation of both the original documents and the translations through the relevant embassy or consulate in London, as part of a single coordinated instruction. We advise on the correct sequence as part of your fixed-fee quote, so the complete bundle is accepted by the receiving authority first time without the need for resubmission.

Which languages do your notarised translation services cover?

Our notarised translation services cover more than 150 languages, spanning every official EU language, all major Middle Eastern and Central Asian languages, and a wide range of African and Asia-Pacific languages. Commonly requested languages include Arabic, Mandarin, Cantonese, Russian, Ukrainian, Turkish, Persian (Farsi), Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Swahili, Amharic, Somali, and both European and Brazilian Portuguese. For rarer language pairs — including minority languages, regional dialects, and heritage languages — our team will confirm availability and assign a specialist translator with subject-matter expertise matched to your document type.

Every notarised translation project, regardless of language, is delivered under an ISO 17100-compliant workflow with a dedicated second-linguist review stage. Our in-house linguists hold ISO 17100 translation services certification, meaning that the standard applied to a Mandarin patent translation is identical to that applied to a Spanish birth certificate — consistent, auditable, and accepted by official bodies worldwide. We prioritise accuracy, confidentiality, and reliability in every certified and notarised translation project we undertake.

How do you ensure translation quality?

Translation quality is built into the process at every stage rather than checked only at the end. Our ISO 17100 workflow requires:

• Subject-matched translators — each translator is selected for both language pair and subject-matter expertise (legal, medical, academic, financial, technical).
• Second-linguist review — an independent qualified linguist checks the full translation against the source document before the certificate of accuracy is signed.
• Signed certificate of accuracy — included with every job at no extra cost, confirming that the translation is a complete and accurate rendering of the original.
• Notary-ready presentation — the certified translation package is prepared in the format required by the London notary public, so the witnessing appointment proceeds without delay.

How do I order a notarised translation from Certified Translation Services UK?

Ordering a notarised translation is a straightforward process designed to remove the administrative burden from you entirely. Send a clear scan of every page of your source document to us by phone on +44 20 4569 1419 or via our online quote form, and include a brief note confirming the target language, the receiving authority, and whether an FCDO apostille or consular legalisation is also required. We will review your documents promptly and return a fixed-fee quote that sets out the cost and timeline for each layer — certified translation, notarisation, and apostille or legalisation — with no hidden charges added later.

Once you confirm the quote, our team coordinates every step on your behalf. We translate your documents under an ISO 17100 workflow, arrange the London notary appointment, and — where apostille is required — submit your documents to the FCDO and collect them on your return. You receive a professionally produced, legally notarised translation accompanied by a legalised certificate of notarisation, ready for immediate submission to the receiving authority. Our service has supported thousands of private clients, solicitors, and corporate clients in obtaining notarised translations for official applications since our launch, and we work with legal experts and notaries in London to ensure the highest possible quality, lowest prices and fastest delivery.

The most common questions on notarised translation services in the UK cover cost, timeline, apostille sequencing, embassy acceptance and whether a solicitor's certification is enough — the answers below address each in turn.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I get notarised translation services in the UK?

You can get notarised translation services in the UK from a specialist certified translation agency that works alongside a Notary Public — such as Certified Translation Services, based at Suite 544, Unit B, 63-66 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8LE. The process typically involves three steps: a certified translation is produced first, then a Notary Public notarises it, and an apostille can be added by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office if the document is destined for use abroad. You can reach the team on +44 20 4569 1419, Monday to Saturday, 9:00–18:00.

Can I translate a document and get it notarized?

Yes — you can have a document translated and then notarised, but the two steps must be handled correctly to be legally valid. First, a qualified translator produces a certified translation accompanied by a signed certificate of accuracy. The Notary Public then verifies and notarises the translator's declaration, making the document acceptable to foreign authorities, courts, embassies and government bodies. Standard turnaround for the certified translation element is 2–3 working days; same-day and weekend delivery are available at a 30–50% surcharge.

How much does a certified translation cost in the UK?

Certified translation in the UK typically costs £0.10–£0.20 per word, depending on the language pair and subject matter. Single personal documents — such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, passports or ID cards — start from £25 per document. A signed certificate of accuracy is included in every certified translation at no extra cost. Standard turnaround is 2–3 working days; urgent same-day or weekend delivery carries a 30–50% surcharge. Large legal, technical or regulatory projects are quoted individually.

Can a solicitor certify a translation?

A solicitor can certify that a copy of a document is a true copy of the original, but they cannot certify the accuracy of a translation unless they are also fluent in the source language. For official purposes — such as Home Office submissions, court proceedings or university admissions — a certified translation must be produced by a qualified translator who signs a certificate of accuracy confirming the translation is complete and correct. A Notary Public, rather than a solicitor, is the appropriate professional to notarise a certified translation for use abroad.