Our certified translations are accepted for a wide range of official purposes in the UK, including the Home Office, Passport Office, Registry Offices, NARIC, DVLA, UCAS, GMC, HCPC and more.

Translate Fast give you a fast certified translation service and free postage. We can get your documents turned around from as little as two hours to the standard three working days, depending on the size of the document. We will deliver your translation by email and post using 1st Class Royal Mail Service free of charge.

Certified translation may be required for the following types of legal documents:

  • Marriage certificates
  • Birth certificates
  • Deed polls
  • Contracts
  • Medical documentation
  • Academic certificates
  • Diplomas
  • Documents and evidence filed in support of visa applications, asylum applications, mortgage applications, university applications etc.

What makes a certified translation valid?

“If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you need to send a certified translation.” (source)

1) Certified translation

A certified translation is carried out by a professional translator and includes their signed declaration to this effect. A certified translation from Translate Fast incorporates the following:

  • The language combination of the translation
  • A declaration stating the translation is “a true and accurate translation of the text provided”
  • Our company stamp
  • Our company director’s signature
  • The date and company contact details
  • A copy of your source document*

* We don’t need to see your original document to produce a valid certified translation. We always print out a copy of your document and attach it to your translation. This means that wherever you submit your translation, the printout and the original can easily be compared and accepted.

2) Translator’s statement of truth

Some authorities require a translator’s statement of truth to certify an official translation (in certain UK court proceedings or for official translations to be accepted in Australia). A translator’s statement of truth is a declaration signed by the linguist containing their short biography (education, years of experience and accreditation).

3) Sworn translation

In the UK, a certified translation serves as the equivalent of a sworn translation.

However, if you need to present your translation in a country where sworn translations are required (such as Spain, Germany, Austria, Italy or the Czech Republic), please let us know, and we will be happy to arrange it for you. We have an excellent team of sworn translators (based both in the UK and abroad) who will produce a translation tailored to your requirements.

Please note that in some countries such as Poland, either a sworn translation or a certified translation can be accepted. You should clarify which is required with the relevant authorities, as certified translations are usually less expensive and quicker to produce than sworn translations.

4) Notarisation

Some jurisdictions require translations of personal documents to be notarised before they can be accepted. In this case, we can arrange for a notarial certificate to be issued with the translation.

5) Apostille legislation

Some jurisdictions require translations to be ‘apostilled’ before they can be accepted. This process has two stages.

  1. We arrange for a notarial certificate to be issued for the translation;
  2. We send the translation and notarial certificate to the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) for apostille legalisation.
How do I go about getting my document translated? The process is easy. Simply:
  1. Send us your document by email ([email protected]) or visit our Get a Free Quote section and upload your document(s).
  2. Receive a quote in minutes.
  3. If you are happy with our quote, send us your payment (over the phone/by bank transfer/secure online payment link). We may offer payment terms to corporate customers.
  4. As soon as your payment is received, your document is placed with one of our accredited translators.
  5. Your translation will be posted/emailed to you. If you have ordered a certified translation, it will be certified and stamped accordingly before sending.
Frequently asked questions:

Do you need the original document to supply a certified translation?

No. We just need a clear, legible scan or photo of the document you want translating. A good quality copy is very important, however.

Will my documents be treated confidentially?

From the moment you get in touch, your translation request will be handled with the utmost confidentiality. Our Confidentiality Policy can be read here. We can also sign a separate Non-Disclosure Agreement, if required.
As Corporate Members of the ITI, we are bound by the ITI Code of Professional Conduct available for viewing or download here. We are also ISO 1700:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 certified, which means that our confidentiality practices are regularly audited both internally and externally.

Why should I choose Translate Fast Ltd when I've received a much cheaper quotation from another company?

While a lower price can be tempting, we believe what truly matters are honest communication, high standards, and guaranteed customer satisfaction. We’ve had countless clients come to us after being let down by a company that didn’t deliver on its promises—and in some cases, even became unreachable. These customers then had to pay extra for an urgent service and worry about getting their money back from the company that failed them.

It’s easy to promise things, but it’s much harder to build a consistent seven-year track record of customer satisfaction. You can read some of these stories from our clients on Trustpilot: https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.translatefast.co.uk

To reduce the risk of errors, omissions, or the rejection of a translation, it’s essential to work with a translator or translation company that’s affiliated with a recognised professional body. As proud members of the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) (Membership No. 2025ATCAC1481), we adhere to the highest industry standards.

Why do you deliver electronically?

This is much faster and keeps your costs down. It is also much more convenient for you to send and receive your documents from your home or office.

What do customers value the most about Translate Fast Ltd?

Customers consistently praise our commitment to clear communication and reliability. They particularly value our clear and informative quotations, which provide a detailed breakdown of costs with no hidden fees. Our clients also appreciate that we always meet the deadlines we commit to, ensuring their projects stay on schedule.

How do I get my quote?

To get a free, no-obligation quote, please send us your document electronically by email to [email protected]

We will prepare a detailed quote in less than 30 minutes, with details of the cost, turnaround time and what to do next.

You may wish to watch our short video explaining this process (click here)

How do I place my order?

Read through your quote carefully. You will need to make a payment for your translation before we can start work.

How do I go about making payment?

You will need to pay us before we commence the work. If you are happy with your quote, you can make a payment by card, over the telephone. You will then get an email confirmation with a copy invoice for your records. You can also pay by PayPal, bank transfer, Moneybookers, cheque or in cash. Let us know how you want to pay when you place your order.

Is there a minimum charge?

There is a minimum charge for small orders. This is £49.00, less than half the cost of many other translations agency minimum charges!

Do you have a YouTube channel?

Yes, please visit our YouTube channel to get some useful tips and get answers to common questions.

Need a fast, reliable translation? Our team is here to help. Contact us now for a quick quotation.