Certified Translation Edinburgh and Scotland
Need legal translation in Edinburgh? We provide certified court-approved translations for immigration, legal proceedings, and business contracts across all Edinburgh areas. Same-day service available.
Why Lingo Service
- ISO 17100 certified and an ITI corporate member
- 260+ languages, native qualified linguists
- Certified translation from £35, transparent pricing
- Same-day return available on weekdays
- GDPR-compliant, files stored in the UK
Certified translations for Edinburgh and the whole of Scotland
Looking for certified translation in Edinburgh, or translations anywhere in Scotland? We translate and certify documents for Scottish clients online: you upload the document, a qualified translator produces the translation, and you receive a signed and stamped PDF by email, with paper copies by tracked Royal Mail to any Scottish address. There is no office to visit; the same team serves Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness and the Highlands and Islands.
Each translation carries the certificate GOV.UK describes: a signed statement that it is a true and accurate translation of the original, the date, the translator's full name and our contact details, plus the translator's address and qualification that Court of Session rule 62.3 asks for. It is the same certificate our clients in England and Wales have received since 2012.
West of Scotland? Our certified translation Glasgow page covers Glasgow Sheriff Court, the Glasgow universities and businesses across Greater Glasgow; the service, prices and turnaround are identical.
- From £35 per certificate for most languages, £45 for rare languages, £25 for each additional certificate; longer documents from £0.10 per word
- Standard turnaround 48 to 72 hours; 24-hour, 12-hour and same-day options on your quote
- Certified PDF by email at no charge; paper copies by Royal Mail Tracked 24 (£5.99) or Special Delivery next working day (£11.99)
- Native speakers of the target language, ISO 17100 process, every certified translation revised by a second qualified linguist
Legal Translation Edinburgh: What You Need to Know
Cost
From £0.10 per word (£35 per page) for certified legal translation
Turnaround
48-72 hours standard | 24-hour, 12-hour and same-day options
Certification
Certified translation accepted by UK courts, Home Office, UKVI
Languages
260+ languages including Polish, Arabic, Urdu, Romanian
Service Area
All Edinburgh areas including City Centre, plus Stirling, Perth
Delivery
Free digital delivery via email | Hard copies available with courier service
- 50K+Documents Translated
- 260+Languages
- 99%Court Acceptance
- 24hrUrgent Service
Edinburgh's Global Legal Translation Landscape
Edinburgh serves as Scotland's capital city and a major UK financial centre with 550,000 residents in the city and 900,000 in the metropolitan area, creating substantial demand for certified legal translation services across Scotland. Edinburgh Sheriff Court and the Court of Session (Scotland's highest civil court) process thousands of international cases annually, while the city's four major universities, University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University, and Queen Margaret University, enrol 70,000+ students including 18,000 international students requiring certified academic translations for visa applications and professional registration. The city's legal district, concentrated around the Old Town and New Town, includes major Scottish law firms managing cross-border transactions, immigration cases, and corporate legal matters.
Edinburgh hosts diverse international communities including substantial Eastern European populations (Polish, Romanian) requiring translation services, along with growing South Asian communities (Urdu, Punjabi) and Middle Eastern populations (Arabic, Kurdish). Edinburgh Immigration Tribunal handles significant case volumes for Scotland, with certified translations required for asylum claims and visa appeals. The city's business districts, City Centre, Edinburgh Park, and the Financial District, generate demand for translated employment contracts, regulatory compliance documents, and corporate legal materials. Edinburgh's position as Scotland's capital and a major UK financial centre attracts international businesses requiring legal translation for contracts, intellectual property filings, and regulatory submissions.
As Scotland's capital and a key translation services hub, Edinburgh serves surrounding cities including Stirling and Perth, with convenient access via Scotland's extensive transport network. The city's courts, tribunals, and law firms serve diverse multilingual communities across Scotland, establishing Edinburgh as a primary translation services centre for Scotland alongside Glasgow, providing comprehensive multilingual legal translation capabilities for clients throughout the country.
Who asks for certified translations in Scotland
The Scottish bodies our clients most often send translations to, and what each one says it expects.
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National Records of Scotland and local registrars
To marry or form a civil partnership in Scotland you give notice to the local registrar at least 29 days ahead, and mygov.scot says a certificate not in English needs a certified translation: foreign birth certificates, divorce papers and certificates of no impediment are the usual ones. We also translate National Records of Scotland extracts for use abroad.
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Court of Session and the sheriff courts
The Court of Session in Edinburgh is Scotland's supreme civil court; most civil and criminal cases are heard in the sheriff courts across six sheriffdoms. When a foreign judgment or document is lodged, the rules ask for an English translation certified by the translator with their full name, address and qualifications. Our certificate carries all three.
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Home Office and UKVI
Applications made from Scotland go to the same Home Office as the rest of the UK. GOV.UK says documents not in English or Welsh must come with a certified translation: the translator confirms in writing that it is true and accurate, with the date, their full name and contact details. That is the format we issue.
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Scottish universities
The University of Edinburgh asks for a certified translation of any degree certificate or transcript not in English: confirmation of accuracy, the date, the translator's full name and signature, and the company's contact details. Ours carries all of them. Edinburgh also lists who may translate: the awarding institution, a sworn translator, or an ITI Member or Fellow, so tell us if that applies to your application. Each university sets its own rule, so check the admissions page you are applying through.
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NHS Scotland boards and the GMC
NHS Scotland runs 14 regional health boards, including NHS Lothian and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde. Doctors trained abroad register with the General Medical Council first, and the GMC asks for a complete English translation of every document not in English, stamped and signed by the translation service, as a hard copy. We issue exactly that.
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Employers and consulates abroad
Scottish clients also send documents the other way: Disclosure Scotland and PVG certificates, Scottish degrees and extracts of birth, marriage, death, civil partnership and divorce entries, translated for a foreign employer, consulate or court. Some countries accept an authentication from National Records of Scotland; others require an FCDO apostille, which our apostille translation service handles.
Documents Scottish clients send us
Certificates are a fixed price per document; longer documents are priced per word with certification included.
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For registrars and the Home Office
From £35 per certificate.
- Birth, marriage and death certificates
- Divorce decrees and certificates of no impediment
- Passports, ID cards and police certificates
- Bank statements, payslips and tenancy agreements
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For courts and solicitors
From £0.10 per word, revised by a second linguist.
- Witness statements and affidavits
- Foreign judgments and court orders
- Contracts, powers of attorney and wills
- Company documents and financial statements
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For universities, employers and regulators
Certified for admissions, onboarding and GMC or other regulator applications.
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- Professional qualifications and registration letters
- References and employment records
- Disclosure Scotland certificates for use abroad
Legal Translation Services We Offer in Edinburgh
Certified legal document translation for UK courts, immigration applications, and international business transactions
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Court Documents
Certified translations for Edinburgh courts, tribunals, and legal proceedings including Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Court of Session
- Witness statements
- Court orders & judgments
- Legal correspondence
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Immigration Documents
Translations accepted by the Home Office for all visa and citizenship applications, and for immigration tribunal appeals
- Birth certificate translation
- Marriage certificate translation
- Academic documents
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Business Contracts
Accurate commercial contract translations for Edinburgh's Financial District and Edinburgh Park
- NDAs & agreements
- Terms & conditions
- Corporate documents
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Notarised Translation
Notary-certified translations for international legal use across Edinburgh and Scotland
- Apostille translation services
- Consular legalisation
- Official authentication
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Urgent Translation
24-hour certified translation for time-critical legal documents serving all Edinburgh areas
- Same-day delivery
- Weekend service
- Priority handling
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Corporate Legal
M&A, due diligence, and regulatory compliance translations for Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town businesses
- Financial statements
- Shareholder agreements
- Regulatory filings
What's Included at No Extra Cost
Every Edinburgh legal translation service includes these value-added benefits to ensure your complete satisfaction
Official Certification Included
Certified translation with official stamp, signed certification letter, and acceptance guarantee for UK courts & Home Office
Under 60 Seconds Quote
Upload your document and receive a detailed quote in under 60 seconds. No hidden fees, transparent pricing
100% Acceptance Guarantee
If any UK authority rejects our translation, we'll revise it for free or provide a full refund. 99% acceptance rate since 2012
Free Digital Delivery
Receive certified PDF copies via email at no cost. Hard copies with courier delivery available for additional fee
Free Formatting & Layout
We match the original document's formatting at no extra charge. Tables, signatures, stamps, all preserved perfectly
Free Minor Amendments
Typo corrections, name spelling adjustments, or format tweaks, we'll revise at no charge within 30 days of delivery
Learn more about our UK-wide legal document translation services.
All Edinburgh Areas Covered
Professional certified legal translation services covering all Edinburgh areas listed below.
- Old Town
- New Town
- City Centre
- Royal Mile
- Princes Street
- George Street
- Stockbridge
- Morningside
- Bruntsfield
- Marchmont
- Newington
- The Meadows
- Grassmarket
- Dean Village
- Haymarket
- West End
- Tollcross
- Fountainbridge
- Gorgie
- Dalry
- Leith
- Leith Walk
- Portobello
- Joppa
- Musselburgh
- Newhaven
- Granton
- Trinity
- Blackhall
- Colinton
Why Choose Our Legal Translation Service in Edinburgh?
ISO 17100 certified, an ITI corporate member, and accepted by the Home Office. Trusted credentials for legal translation services
Cyber Essentials Certified
Certified under the UK Government Cyber Essentials scheme, covering the whole organisation, so your documents are handled on assessed and secured systems.
ITI Corporate Member
Corporate member of the Institute of Translation & Interpreting (ITI), the UK's leading independent professional body for translators and interpreters.
14+ Years Experience
Trading since 2012. Over 50,000 documents translated. Trusted by clients including the NHS, UNICEF, Formula One and the Welsh Government.
£10m Professional Indemnity
Comprehensive insurance coverage protecting your legal translations. Full liability protection for peace of mind across all Edinburgh areas.
Accepted by UK Courts & the Home Office
Certified translations accepted by all Edinburgh courts, tribunals, Home Office, and UKVI for immigration applications.
260+ Languages
Comprehensive language coverage serving Edinburgh's diverse communities including Polish, Chinese, Arabic, Urdu, Romanian, Spanish, French, and all major world languages.
Languages We Translate
Legal document translation in 260+ languages across Edinburgh
Certified translation across Scotland and the UK
Glasgow and the west of Scotland
Glasgow Sheriff Court, the Glasgow universities and businesses across Greater Glasgow, with the same prices, certificate and turnaround.
Certified translation Glasgow
Anywhere in the UK
The same certificate, prices and tracked delivery for clients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Certified translation services UK
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your Edinburgh legal translations accepted by UK courts?
Yes, our certified legal translations are accepted by Edinburgh Sheriff Court, Court of Session, and all UK courts and tribunals.
Which Edinburgh areas do you serve?
We serve all Edinburgh areas including Old Town, New Town, City Centre, Royal Mile, and all surrounding communities. We also serve nearby cities including Stirling and Perth.
Can you translate Polish and Chinese documents in Edinburgh?
Do you translate for Edinburgh universities?
Yes, our translations are accepted by University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Napier University, and all Scottish universities.
Can you provide same-day legal translation in Edinburgh?
Yes, we offer same-day and 24-hour urgent legal translation services across Edinburgh and surrounding areas.
How much does legal translation cost in Edinburgh?
Legal translation in Edinburgh starts from £0.10 per word (approximately £35 per page) with certification included.
Can you translate for Edinburgh solicitors?
Yes, we regularly provide certified legal translation services for Edinburgh law firms, solicitors, and advocates.
Do you translate for the Home Office in Edinburgh?
Yes, our translations are accepted by the Home Office and at all UKVI offices and immigration tribunals in Edinburgh and Scotland.
Which languages do you translate in Edinburgh?
We translate 260+ languages in Edinburgh including Polish, Arabic, Urdu, Romanian, Spanish, French, Chinese, and all major world languages.
Can you translate for Edinburgh court hearings?
Yes, we provide urgent certified translation for Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Court of Session hearings with express same-day service available.
Is a certified translation done in England or Wales accepted in Scotland?
GOV.UK describes a certified translation as a signed statement that it is true and accurate, dated, with the translator's full name and contact details, and that guidance is not limited to one part of the UK; the UK has no sworn translator system, so there is no separate Scottish register. Court of Session rule 62.3 asks for the same certificate with the translator's address and qualification, which ours includes. The receiving body has the final say, so if a Scottish office has given you specific wording, send it with your order and we will match it.
How much does certified translation cost in Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland?
From £35 for the first certificate in most languages, £25 for each additional certificate in the same order, and from £45 for rare languages; longer documents from £0.10 per word. The price is the same anywhere in Scotland; the certified PDF is free and paper copies cost £5.99 by Royal Mail Tracked 24 or £11.99 by Special Delivery.
Do you have an office in Edinburgh?
No. We are registered in Cardiff and have served Scotland online since 2012: upload through the quote form, receive the certified PDF by email and, if needed, paper copies by tracked Royal Mail. Not paying for an Edinburgh office is one reason certified translation starts at £35 per certificate for every UK client.
Can you translate a Scottish birth or marriage extract for use abroad?
Yes. Scottish certificates are official extracts from the statutory registers held by National Records of Scotland (births, deaths, marriages, adoptions, divorces, civil partnerships and dissolutions), and we translate them into the language of the country that needs them. Some countries accept an NRS authentication; others require an FCDO apostille, which our apostille translation service covers.
Do you provide interpreters in Edinburgh and Glasgow?
Yes, for court, medical, business and conference settings across Scotland, on site or by telephone and video. Interpreting is quoted in writing rather than through the instant quote form, so please use the contact page and tell us the date, location and languages.
Ready for Edinburgh Translation?
Upload and get pricing in under 60 seconds
- All Edinburgh areas
- Same-day available
- Accepted by the Home Office