Criminal Record Check Translation

What is a criminal record check translation?

A criminal record check translation is a certified English (or foreign-language) version of a police clearance certificate, DBS check or overseas criminal record extract, signed by a CIOL or ITI-registered translator and accepted by the UK Home Office, UKVI, courts, universities and employers.

Why do you need a translation of a criminal record check?

You need a translation of a criminal record check when a UK authority requires a foreign police certificate in English, or an overseas authority requires your DBS or ACRO certificate in the local language, for visa, settlement, employment vetting, university admission, court proceedings or professional registration purposes.

Who can certify a translation of a criminal record check in the UK?

In the UK, a translation of a criminal record check is certified by a translator who is a member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), or by an ATC-member translation agency signing on behalf of its qualified translators.

How do you get a certified translation of a criminal record certificate?

To get a certified translation of a criminal record certificate, email or upload a clear scan of the original document, receive a fixed quote within working hours, approve it, and receive the certified translation with signed certificate of accuracy in 2–3 working days by PDF and post.

How much does a certified translation of a criminal record check cost in the UK?

A certified translation of a criminal record check in the UK costs from £25 per single-page document, or £0.10–£0.20 per word for longer records, depending on language pair, subject complexity and urgency, with same-day and weekend delivery available at a 30–50% surcharge.

How long does it take to translate a criminal record check?

A criminal record check translation takes 2–3 working days for a standard single-page certificate, regardless of language pair; same-day and weekend delivery is available at a 30–50% surcharge, and multi-page or rare-language records are quoted individually.

Certified translation of criminal record documents connects UK residents, visa applicants and overseas hires to the authorities that need to read those records — the Home Office, UKVI, HM Courts, universities and foreign embassies — through a signed English or foreign-language version produced under an ISO 17100 workflow from a London office.

What is a criminal record check translation?

A criminal record check translation is a certified English or foreign-language version of a police clearance certificate, DBS check or overseas criminal record extract, signed by a CIOL or ITI-registered translator and accepted by the UK Home Office, UKVI, courts, universities and employers. It sits inside our wider Document Translation UK: Certified Services for Visas, Legal, Academic and Business Documents offering.

Every certified translation of a criminal record leaves our office with four fixed components:

What is a criminal record certificate?

A criminal record certificate is an official document from a national police authority confirming whether a named individual has recorded convictions, cautions or ongoing proceedings. Common issuers include the following bodies:

How does a criminal record check translation differ from a DBS check?

A DBS check is a UK-issued disclosure produced by the Disclosure and Barring Service in three tiers, while a criminal record check translation converts either a DBS certificate into a foreign language or an overseas police certificate into English. The DBS check itself is a source document, not a translation.

Aspect	DBS check	Criminal record check translation
Issuer	Disclosure and Barring Service	CIOL or ITI-registered translator
Tiers	Basic, Standard, Enhanced	Certified, notarised, apostilled
Purpose	Discloses UK criminal record	Renders the record into another language
Accepted by	UK employers, regulators	UKVI, Home Office, overseas embassies

Why is a translation of a criminal record check needed?

You need a translation of a criminal record check when a UK authority requires a foreign police certificate in English, or an overseas authority requires your DBS or ACRO certificate in the local language. Common triggers include visa applications, settlement, employer vetting, university admission, court proceedings and professional registration.

Do you need a certified translation for a UK visa application?

Yes — for a UK visa application submitted to UKVI, any foreign-language criminal record check must be accompanied by a certified translation carrying the translator's signature, date, contact details and statement of accuracy. The certifier must be a CIOL or ITI-registered translator or an ATC-member agency. See our Immigration Documents page for the full visa document set.

When do employers, universities and courts require a translated criminal record?

UK employers require a translated criminal record for pre-employment vetting of overseas hires, universities require it for admissions in regulated subjects, and UK courts require it as translated evidence. Regulated university subjects include medicine, teaching and social work. Court use covers family, immigration and criminal proceedings.

Do you need a translated DBS certificate for use abroad?

Yes — a UK DBS certificate used abroad usually requires a certified translation into the destination country's language, plus an apostille from the FCDO Legalisation Office. Follow these steps:

1. Obtain the DBS certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service.
2. Order a certified translation into the destination language.
3. Send the DBS original to the FCDO Legalisation Office for the apostille.
4. Submit both to the foreign embassy, employer or regulator.

Who can certify a translation of a criminal record check in the UK?

In the UK, a translation of a criminal record check is certified by a translator who is a member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), or by an ATC-member translation agency. UKVI and Home Office caseworkers verify these credentials before accepting the document.

Can anyone perform a certified translation of a criminal record check?

No — anyone cannot perform a certified translation of a criminal record check. UK authorities accept only translations signed by a professional translator whose credentials are publicly verifiable. Bilingual friends, notaries acting alone and unqualified freelancers do not meet the certification standards required by UKVI or the Home Office.

Do sworn translators exist in the UK for criminal record checks?

The UK does not operate a system of court-sworn translators; a certified translation from a CIOL or ITI-registered translator is the recognised equivalent for criminal record checks. Full detail sits on our Certified Translation page. Some destination countries (Spain, Italy, France) still demand a foreign sworn translator plus apostille — that route is handled through our partner network.

How is a certified translator qualified to handle penal records?

A certified translator qualified to handle penal records holds a translation degree, professional membership of CIOL or ITI, and demonstrable experience with legal terminology. Qualifying experience covers three areas:

How do you get a certified translation of a criminal record certificate?

To get a certified translation of a criminal record certificate, email or upload a clear scan, receive a fixed quote within working hours, approve it, and receive the translation with signed certificate of accuracy in 2–3 working days. Delivery is by PDF and optional tracked post.

1. Upload a colour scan of every page of the original document.
2. Receive a fixed price and turnaround by return email.
3. Approve the quote and pay by card or bank transfer.
4. Receive the certified translation as PDF, with hard copy on request.

What documents and information do you need to supply for a criminal record translation?

Supply a legible colour scan of every page of the criminal record certificate, including stamps and signatures, plus the exact spelling of your name as it appears on your passport. Add the name of the receiving authority (UKVI, a named university, a foreign embassy) so the certification wording matches the acceptance criteria.

Do you need to send the original criminal record extract by post?

You do not usually need to send the original criminal record extract by post. A clear scan or photograph is accepted for the translation itself. The certified translation is issued as a signed PDF plus optional hard copy by tracked post to any UK address.

Can you translate a screenshot or photo of a police certificate?

Yes — a screenshot or photo of a police certificate can be translated, provided every page is fully legible and all official stamps are visible. Illegible or cropped files are returned for a resend before work starts, so the translator's certification remains defensible.

What does the finished translated criminal record contain?

The finished translated criminal record contains a page-for-page English rendering, a signed certificate of accuracy on agency letterhead, the translator's CIOL or ITI membership number, the date, and our London address. The layout mirrors the source, so a UKVI caseworker can compare original and translation side by side.

How much does a certified translation of a criminal record check cost in the UK?

A certified translation of a criminal record check in the UK costs from £25 per single-page document, or £0.10–£0.20 per source word for longer records. Same-day and weekend delivery attract a 30–50% surcharge.

Document	Price	Turnaround
Single-page police certificate	From £25 per document	2–3 working days
Multi-page criminal record extract	£0.10–£0.20 per word	2–3 working days
Rare language pair	Quoted individually	2–3 working days
Same-day or weekend	Standard + 30–50%	Same day

What are the four factors that affect the price of a criminal record translation?

Four factors affect the price of a criminal record check translation: language pair rarity, subject-matter complexity, document length beyond 250 words, and urgency of turnaround. Rare pairs and same-day delivery attract the largest uplifts.

• Language pair rarity — common EU pairs sit at the base rate; low-diffusion languages carry a supplement.
• Subject-matter complexity — dense offence histories with statutory citations take longer to render accurately.
• Length beyond 250 words — records over that threshold shift from fixed price to per-word pricing.
• Urgency — same-day and weekend requests carry a 30–50% surcharge.

How much does a certified translation cost in the UK generally?

A certified translation in the UK generally costs from £25 per standard document, or £0.10–£0.20 per word for longer texts. Short personal certificates such as a criminal record extract are quoted as a fixed price per document from £25.

Is a per-word price better value for money for a criminal record translation?

For a criminal record certificate under 250 words, a fixed price per document offers better value for money; for multi-page criminal record extracts, the per-word rate is applied. The per-word rate keeps pricing proportionate when the record lists multiple entries, previous addresses or extended good conduct history.

Get a quote

How long does it take to translate a criminal record check?

A criminal record check translation takes 2–3 working days for a standard single-page certificate, regardless of language pair. This turnaround applies across all 150+ languages we cover — from Polish and Spanish to Arabic, Russian and Chinese — and includes the full ISO 17100 quality workflow, a second-linguist review pass, and a signed certificate of accuracy, all at no extra cost. Multi-page records or documents issued by less common authorities are quoted individually, and an agreed turnaround time is confirmed before work begins so you always know exactly when to expect delivery.

For straightforward single-page certificates such as ACRO police certificates or standard DBS disclosures, our team can typically match the layout of the original document while meeting official formatting requirements for the Home Office, UKVI or any overseas authority. The final certified translation is approved for use in all official applications both within the United Kingdom and abroad.

Can you get a fast turnaround for urgent visa deadlines?

Yes — a fast turnaround criminal record translation is available for urgent UKVI visa deadlines through the same-day and weekend option, at a 30–50% surcharge over the standard 2–3 working day rate. Same-day requests are confirmed by phone before work starts, so the deadline is guaranteed. For Spanish criminal records and similarly high-frequency certificates, delivery within as little as one hour is achievable, allowing you to collect a completed certified translation while you wait. Weekend slots carry the same surcharge as same-day service and must be booked in advance to ensure translator availability. Every express delivery includes the identical ISO 17100 QC process as the standard service — speed never comes at the expense of accuracy or certification.

Is a certified translation of a criminal record check accepted by UK authorities like the Home Office?

Yes, a certified translation of a criminal record check produced by a CIOL or ITI-registered translator or an ATC-member agency is accepted by UK authorities. Accepting bodies include the Home Office, UKVI, HM Passport Office, HM Courts, UK ENIC, the DBS and UK universities.

What languages are available for criminal record check translations?

Criminal record check translations are available in 150+ languages, including all EU languages, Chinese (无犯罪记录证明), Arabic, Russian, Turkish, Portuguese, Hindi and Urdu. Coverage runs in both directions: foreign-to-English for UK use, and English-to-foreign for UK DBS and ACRO certificates going abroad.

Which overseas police certificates are most frequently translated?

The overseas police certificates most frequently translated cover seven jurisdictions.

Source certificate	Country	Common use in the UK
Certificado de Antecedentes Penales	Spain	Skilled Worker and settlement visas
Certificato del Casellario Giudiziale	Italy	NHS and university admissions
Führungszeugnis	Germany	Employer vetting and safeguarding
Výpis z rejstříku trestů	Czech Republic	Pre-employment checks
KRK	Poland	Skilled Worker visa route
Bulletin n°3	France	Regulated profession registration
无犯罪记录证明	China	UK visa and settlement applications

How do you translate a Spanish Certificado de Antecedentes Penales?

A Spanish Certificado de Antecedentes Penales is translated by a CIOL or ITI-registered Spanish-English translator, with the ministry-issued CSV verification code preserved in the target document. The CSV code lets UK authorities independently confirm authenticity against the Spanish Ministry of Justice portal.

How do you translate a German Führungszeugnis?

A German Führungszeugnis is translated by a certified German-English translator, retaining the Bundesamt für Justiz reference number, issue date and full offence-code text. Delivery is by PDF and hard copy, ready for UKVI submission alongside the German original.

How do you translate a Czech Výpis z rejstříku trestů?

A Czech Výpis z rejstříku trestů is translated by a certified Czech-English translator without requiring the original by post. A clear scan is accepted, and the certified translation is returned within 2–3 working days.

How do you translate a Chinese 无犯罪记录证明?

A Chinese 无犯罪记录证明 is translated by a certified Chinese-English translator, with the notary public seal, issuing authority stamp and personal identifiers rendered accurately for UKVI and Home Office acceptance. Pinyin transliteration of names matches the passport spelling throughout.

How is quality guaranteed on a certified criminal record translation?

Quality on a certified criminal record translation is guaranteed by an ISO 17100 workflow: a subject-qualified translator produces the first draft, a second linguist reviews it, and a project manager verifies the signed certificate of accuracy. This certificate of accuracy is included at no extra cost and confirms that the translation is a true and complete rendering of the original document — a requirement met by every CIOL or ITI-registered translator and ATC-member agency working on our projects. The resulting certified translation is accepted by the Home Office, UKVI, HM Courts, UK ENIC, NHS trusts, universities, banks and local authorities, meaning a single translation covers the full range of official recipients in the UK and overseas.

Although a criminal record certificate is often a concise, single-page document, the precision of the translation carries significant legal weight. An error in an offence code, a statutory citation or an issuing-authority reference number can cause an application to be rejected outright. The second-linguist QC step, applied to every penal record, verifies three critical items against the source document:

How is confidentiality of your criminal record handled?

Confidentiality of your criminal record is handled under a signed non-disclosure obligation with every translator and reviewer. Because criminal record certificates contain sensitive personal data — including conviction histories, reference numbers and national identifiers — our data-handling policy meets UK GDPR standards under the Data Protection Act 2018. The full policy covers four safeguards:

How do you order a criminal record check translation from London?

To order a criminal record check translation from London, contact our office at Suite 544, Unit B, 63-66 Hatton Garden, London EC1N 8LE, call +44 20 4569 1419 Monday to Saturday 9:00–18:00, or upload the document through the online quote form. A fixed price is returned within working hours, and there are no hidden charges — the signed certificate of accuracy, second-linguist QC review and secure encrypted file transfer are all included in the quoted price.

We translate criminal records, DBS certificates, ACRO police certificates and national police clearance documents from over 200 countries and across 150+ language pairs. Once you submit your document, a dedicated project manager confirms the turnaround time, agrees the fixed fee, and assigns a CIOL or ITI-registered translator with direct expertise in legal and penal record terminology. You can also reach our translation team by email for non-urgent enquiries or to send documents outside telephone hours.

The completed certified translation is approved for use in all official UK and overseas applications, including submissions to the Home Office, UKVI, HM Courts, UK ENIC, universities, NHS trusts and overseas embassies or consulates. If your destination country is a signatory to the Apostille Convention, we can also advise on the additional FCDO legalisation step required to make your translated certificate valid abroad.