Certified Affidavit of Support Translation UK

What is a certified affidavit of support translation in the UK?

A certified affidavit of support translation in the UK is an English version of a sworn sponsor declaration produced by a qualified translator or ATC-registered company and issued with a signed certificate of accuracy accepted by the Home Office, UKVI and HM Courts.

When is a certified affidavit of support translation required in the UK?

A certified affidavit of support translation is required whenever a foreign-language sponsor declaration is submitted to UK Visas and Immigration, the Home Office, HM Courts, a UK university or a solicitor handling immigration, family or probate matters.

Who can certify an affidavit of support translation in the UK?

In the UK a certified translation is signed by a professional translator registered with CIOL or ITI, or by a translation company registered with the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) operating under an ISO 17100 workflow — the Home Office does not maintain a separate approved-translator list.

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

Certified is a translator's signed statement of accuracy; sworn is the same signed under oath (used mainly in civil-law jurisdictions abroad); notarised adds a UK notary public's stamp witnessing the translator's declaration; apostilled adds Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office legalisation for overseas use.

What is included in a certified affidavit of support translation?

A certified affidavit of support translation includes the full English translation of the sworn statement, the jurat clause, every exhibit and attachment, the sponsor's signature block, plus a signed certificate of accuracy on company letterhead stating the translation is true and accurate.

How much does a certified affidavit of support translation cost in the UK?

Certified affidavit of support translation in the UK is priced from £25 per document for short single-page statements, or £0.10–£0.20 per word for longer affidavits, depending on language pair and subject-matter complexity — no VAT surprises, quoted upfront.

Sworn financial-sponsor declarations submitted to UK authorities in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. This page covers the certified affidavit of support translation service delivered from London by an ATC-registered, ISO 17100 provider — pricing, turnaround, tier selection and acceptance by the Home Office, UKVI, HM Courts and UK universities.

What is a certified affidavit of support translation in the UK?

A certified affidavit of support translation in the UK is an English version of a sworn sponsor declaration produced by a qualified translator or ATC-registered company and issued with a signed certificate of accuracy accepted by the Home Office, UKVI and HM Courts. The certificate confirms the translation is a true and accurate translation of the original document.

Every order includes four elements:

What is an affidavit of support and why does it need translating?

An Affidavit of support is a sworn written statement in which a sponsor undertakes to fund an applicant's stay. UK authorities require an English certified translation whenever the original is drafted in another language. The sponsor swears the statement before a notary, commissioner for oaths or consular officer abroad. UK caseworkers cannot assess the sponsor's undertaking without an accurate translation of the original document.

What makes the translation 'certified' rather than a normal translation?

Certification is a signed statement from the translator or translation company confirming the English text is a true and accurate translation of the original. The statement is dated, issued on company letterhead and carries contact details so a caseworker can verify it. A normal translation carries no such statement and is rejected on receipt.

When is a certified affidavit translation required in the UK?

A certified affidavit translation is required whenever a foreign-language sponsor declaration is submitted to UK Visas and Immigration, the Home Office, HM Courts, a UK university or a solicitor handling immigration, family or probate matters. The requirement applies to every language pair — English is the working language of every UK receiving body listed.

Which UK visa routes typically request an affidavit of support?

Four visa routes routinely request a sponsor's affidavit of support in English:

1. Family and dependant routes (spouse, partner, parent, child).
2. Student visas with third-party maintenance from a relative or sponsor.
3. Visitor visas where a UK-based host confirms accommodation and maintenance.
4. Settlement and indefinite leave applications involving overseas financial support.

The wider service page for Immigration Documents covers passports, birth certificates, bank statements and employer letters that usually travel with the affidavit.

Which non-immigration cases require a certified affidavit translation?

UK courts, universities and solicitors request certified affidavit translations in probate, family proceedings, tuition sponsorship and financial-undertaking cases involving overseas sponsors. Court documents drawn in another jurisdiction reach HM Courts only in certified English form.

Who can certify a translation in the UK?

In the UK a certified translation is signed by a professional translator registered with CIOL or ITI, or by a translation company registered with the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) operating under an ISO 17100 workflow. The Home Office does not maintain a separate approved-translator list. The full process is set out in our guide on How To Certify A Translation.

What credentials should the translator or translation company hold?

Three credentials signal a credible certified translation service:

• Individual translator registered with the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI).
• Translation company registered with the Association of Translation Companies.
• ISO 17100 workflow with mandatory second-linguist review before sign-off.

All three appear on every certificate of accuracy we issue.

Can I translate my own documents for certification in the UK?

No — the UK Home Office and UKVI do not accept self-translations or translations produced by the applicant, sponsor or a relative. Certification requires an independent qualified translator to sign the statement of accuracy. A DIY translation fails the certification required by Home Office paragraph-9.3 style rules even when linguistically accurate, because the certifier is not independent.

Does the translator need to be a sworn translator or notary?

No — England and Wales do not operate a sworn-translator register. A certified translation from a qualified translator or ATC company is sufficient for UK submissions. A notary public's stamp is added only when a receiving body outside the UK specifically requires it.

What is the difference between certified, sworn, notarised or apostille translations?

The four terms describe stacked levels of certification:

• Certified: translator's signed statement of accuracy.
• Sworn: the same statement sworn under oath — used mainly in civil-law jurisdictions abroad; England and Wales have no sworn-translator register.
• Notarised: certified translation plus a UK notary public's stamp witnessing the translator's declaration.
• Apostilled: notarised translation plus FCDO legalisation for use in Hague Convention countries overseas.

Which level of certification does a UK receiving body need?

UKVI, the Home Office, HM Courts and most UK universities accept a standard certified translation. Foreign embassies, overseas courts and some consulates require a notarised or legalised translation on top. Match the tier to the destination, not to the document:

See our dedicated Notarised service page for the full notarisation route.

Tier comparison table: certified vs notarised vs apostilled

The three tiers of official translation used in the UK sit on top of each other and are priced separately. Certified from £25 per document; notarised adds a notary fee and 1–3 extra days; apostilled adds FCDO legalisation on top.

Tier	What it adds	Typical price (GBP)	Extra turnaround	Used for
Certified	Translator's signed certificate of accuracy	From £25/doc or £0.10–£0.20/word	2–3 working days (standard)	UKVI, Home Office, HM Courts, UK universities
Notarised	UK notary public witnesses the translator's declaration	Certified fee + notary fee	+ 1–3 working days	Foreign embassies, consulates, overseas universities
Apostilled	FCDO legalisation attached under the Hague Convention	Notarised fee + FCDO fee	+ several working days	Overseas courts and ministries in Hague states

What is included in a certified affidavit translation?

A certified affidavit translation includes the full English translation of the sworn statement, the jurat clause, every exhibit and attachment, the sponsor's signature block, and a signed certificate of accuracy on company letterhead. Nothing on the original page is skipped or summarised.

How is the jurat and sworn wording handled in a certified translation?

The jurat clause, oath wording and commissioner-for-oaths signature block are translated verbatim and positioned in the same place as the original. UK courts and UKVI caseworkers cross-refer the English against the source line by line, so layout parity matters as much as word choice.

How are exhibits, financial figures and supporting documents handled in a certified affidavit translation?

Sponsor income figures, bank balances, employer letters and exhibits (A, B, C…) are translated with the numerals preserved exactly. A second linguist checks every financial figure under ISO 17100 to catch transposition errors before sign-off. Financial values are the single highest-risk area in affidavit translations — a digit swap in an account balance can trigger a UKVI query and delay the decision.

Do I receive a hard copy as well as a PDF?

A signed and stamped PDF is issued as standard for online UKVI and university uploads. A wet-signed hard copy is posted from the London office when a court or embassy requests physical originals. The certified copy carries the same certificate of accuracy as the digital version.

How much does a certified translation cost in the UK?

Certified affidavit of support translation in the UK is priced from £25 per document for short single-page statements, or £0.10–£0.20 per word for longer affidavits, depending on language pair and subject-matter complexity. Every quote is fixed and confirmed before work begins — no hidden add-ons, no per-page surprises. The parent Certified Translation page lists the same pricing across every document type.

Component	Price	Notes
Short single-page affidavit	From £25 per document	Common language pairs
Longer affidavit with exhibits	£0.10–£0.20 per source word	Rate depends on language pair
Same-day / weekend delivery	30–50% surcharge	On the base translation fee
Notary public authentication	Quoted per document	Adds 1–3 working days
FCDO apostille legalisation	Quoted per document	For overseas use

Which four factors change the price of a certified affidavit translation?

Four factors drive the price:

1. Language pair rarity.
2. Subject-matter complexity (financial, legal, medical terminology).
3. Document length beyond a short single page.
4. Urgency — same-day or weekend adds a 30–50% surcharge.

What do notary and apostille uplifts add to the cost?

A UK notary public's authentication is charged on top of the certified fee and adds 1–3 working days. FCDO apostille legalisation is a further add-on quoted per document and priced individually. Both are legalisation services delivered in sequence after the certified stage.

How do I get an exact quote for a certified affidavit translation?

Send a scan or clear photo of the affidavit and its exhibits to the London office. A fixed quote is returned the same working day — no obligation, no watermarked draft, no per-word estimate later replaced by a higher invoice.

Get a quote

How fast can I get a certified affidavit translation in the UK?

Standard turnaround is 2–3 working days for every affidavit of support, single- or multi-page. Same-day and weekend delivery is available at a 30–50% surcharge for time-sensitive UKVI, court or embassy deadlines. Turnaround is benchmarked against typical UKVI response windows so applicants can sequence submission of supporting documents with confidence. Prices start from £29 per document including the translation, the certification and VAT, making it straightforward to budget even when an urgent surcharge applies.

Our team operates Monday to Saturday, which means weekend orders are a genuine option rather than an exception. When a visa deadline is immovable, same-day processing removes the risk of a last-minute gap in the supporting evidence pack. Every completed translation — regardless of speed tier — carries the same signed certificate of accuracy and meets the same ISO 17100 quality standard, so urgency never comes at the cost of acceptance by the receiving authority.

Which affidavits qualify for same-day delivery?

Short sworn statements of up to a few pages in common language pairs qualify for same-day delivery when the order is placed before midday, London time, Monday to Saturday. Longer affidavits with multiple exhibits or rarer language pairs default to the 2–3 working day standard. In either case, the quote returned the same working day confirms the exact delivery slot, so applicants know precisely when the certified document will be ready to submit.

How can I get a certified translation of official documents in the UK?

A certified translation of an affidavit of support is one that carries a translator's signed statement confirming the English text is a true and accurate rendering of the original document. This declaration is what UK authorities — including the Home Office, UKVI, HM Courts and Tribunals, and universities — require before they will accept a foreign-language sworn statement as part of an application. Without it, even a high-quality translation has no formal standing with the receiving body.

To order a certified affidavit of support translation, follow four steps:

1. Send a clear scan of the sworn statement and every exhibit to the London office.
2. Confirm the receiving body — UKVI, court, university or embassy — and the level of certification required (certified, notarised or apostilled).
3. Approve the fixed quote returned the same working day.
4. Receive the signed PDF in 2–3 working days, with a wet-signed hard copy available on request.

Every order includes a signed and stamped Certificate of Translation Accuracy at no extra cost. This certificate is the formal instrument that institutions such as the Home Office, DVLA, NHS and UK universities accept as proof of authenticity. Because the certificate is included as standard, the price quoted upfront is the price paid — there are no hidden fees for the compliance documentation.

Do I need to send the original paper documents for a certified translation?

A scan or clear photograph of the affidavit and exhibits is sufficient. The certificate of accuracy refers to the copy provided; originals remain with the sponsor and travel with the visa file. This makes it practical to begin the translation process immediately, even when the original document is held by a solicitor or an overseas authority.

What information do I need to supply with the order?

The order should state:

Providing these details upfront allows the team to assign the most suitable specialist translator and confirm an accurate delivery commitment from the outset.

Will a certified affidavit translation be accepted by UK authorities or courts?

Yes — a certified translation issued by an ATC-registered, ISO 17100 company with CIOL/ITI translators is accepted by the UK Home Office, UKVI, HM Courts, HM Passport Office, UK universities and solicitors handling immigration and family proceedings. Acceptance rests on the certificate of accuracy, not on any government-issued translator licence — the UK government does not issue one.

What does the Home Office require on the certificate?

The certificate must confirm the translation is a true and accurate translation of the original document. It must carry:

What happens if the affidavit translation is rejected?

A free re-issue is provided if a UK receiving body queries the certification wording. The second-linguist review under ISO 17100 records who checked each financial figure, so any dispute over sponsor income or bank balances can be traced back through the audit trail.

Which languages are covered for affidavit translation services?

Affidavit translation services are provided across more than 150 language pairs, covering the full range of languages most frequently presented in UK visa, court and university submissions. Whether the sponsoring party's sworn statement is drafted in a widely spoken European language or a less common regional dialect, a qualified specialist is available to produce a certified English translation that meets Home Office and UKVI requirements.

Language pairs currently in demand for affidavit of support translations include:

Particular depth of expertise exists in Romance-language legal documents — affidavits originating from Portugal, Brazil, Italy and Spain carry specific notarial conventions and formalities that require careful rendering into British English to preserve their legal effect. Every language pair is handled by a translator who is qualified in the relevant legal subject matter and reviewed by a second linguist under the ISO 17100 workflow, ensuring the finished translation is both linguistically accurate and institutionally compliant.

The most common questions cover cost, turnaround, DIY prohibition, notarisation and how originals are handled.

Frequently asked questions

Contact — order your certified affidavit translation

To order a certified affidavit translation, call +44 20 7459 4983 or visit the London office at 71–75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ. The office is open Monday to Saturday, 9:00–18:00, and a fixed quote is returned the same working day. Because pricing starts from £29 per document — inclusive of the translation, the signed certificate of accuracy and VAT — there are no hidden costs to discover after the quote is accepted.

Once an order is placed, standard delivery is 2–3 working days. Same-day processing is available for shorter affidavits submitted before midday, Monday to Saturday, at a 30–50% urgent surcharge. Every completed translation is accepted by the Home Office, UKVI, HM Courts and Tribunals, HM Passport Office, UK universities and solicitors — so whichever authority is receiving the document, the certified translation will meet their requirements without the need for resubmission.

For orders covering less common language pairs, multiple exhibits or notarised and apostilled tiers, the team will confirm the precise delivery timeline and any additional steps at the quoting stage. Hard-copy wet-signed translations can be dispatched by tracked post when a physical document is required by the receiving body. With more than 20 years of experience and an ISO 17100-accredited workflow, the service is equipped to handle straightforward single-page affidavits and complex multi-exhibit sworn statements alike.