The Complete UK Translation Guide
Everything you need to know about professional translation services in the UK. From certification requirements to pricing, CAT tools to quality standards.
Quick Answer
Professional translation in the UK costs £0.07-£0.18 per word. Certified translations for official use cost £35 per document and are accepted by UKVI, courts, and universities. All translations should be done by qualified native-speaking linguists.
Types of Translation Services
Choose the right service for your needs
Certified Translation
Official Documents
Translation with a signed statement of accuracy from the translator. Required for documents submitted to UK authorities, courts, universities, and immigration.
Starting from
£35/document
- Signed certification statement
- Translator credentials included
- Accepted by UKVI and Home Office
- Valid for UK courts
- Includes company letterhead
- Digital and postal delivery
Best for:
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, driving licences, passports, and any documents for official submission.
Business Translation
Commercial Documents
Professional translation for business and commercial purposes. Priced per word with quality assurance and consistency through CAT tools.
Starting from
From £0.07/word
- Per-word pricing (transparent)
- Subject matter experts
- Translation memory for consistency
- Quality assurance included
- Terminology management
- Volume discounts available
Best for:
Contracts, reports, marketing materials, websites, technical manuals, and ongoing business communications.
When to Use Each Option
Immigration Applications
All documents for UKVI, Home Office, or British citizenship applications must be professionally translated if not in English or Welsh.
University Applications
Academic transcripts, diplomas, and qualification certificates for UK university admissions through UCAS.
Legal Proceedings
Court documents, contracts, witness statements, and evidence for use in UK legal proceedings.
Business Expansion
Contracts, marketing materials, and business communications for international markets.
Website Localisation
Adapting your website content for different languages and markets with cultural sensitivity.
Medical Documents
Patient records, clinical trials, pharmaceutical content requiring specialist medical knowledge.
Key Things to Know
ISO 17100 Standard
The international quality standard for translation services, requiring qualified translators and mandatory review.
Native Translators
Professional translators always work into their native language to ensure natural, idiomatic expression.
Two-Stage Review
Quality translations involve translation by one linguist and review by a second independent linguist.
CAT Tools
Computer-Assisted Translation tools ensure consistency and reduce costs for repetitive content.
Typical Turnaround
Standard delivery is 2-3 working days. Same-day service available for urgent projects.
Transparent Pricing
Per-word rates or fixed fees for certificates. No hidden charges for certification or delivery.
What is Professional Translation?
Professional translation is the process of converting written text from one language to another by qualified linguists who are native speakers of the target language, possess subject-matter expertise, and follow industry quality standards such as ISO 17100.
Unlike machine translation or amateur work, professional translation ensures accuracy, cultural appropriateness, and maintains the original meaning and tone. Key characteristics include:
- Native-Level Fluency: Translators work only into their native language
- Subject Expertise: Specialisation in legal, medical, technical, or financial translation
- Quality Assurance: Two-stage review process with independent proofreading
- Industry Standards: Compliance with ISO 17100 and ISO 9001
How Does the Translation Process Work?
Professional translation agencies follow a structured workflow:
- Source Analysis: Project managers analyse your document to identify subject matter, terminology, and required specialisation
- Translation: A qualified native translator translates your content using CAT tools
- Review: A second independent linguist reviews the translation for accuracy and consistency
- Quality Assurance: Automated and manual QA checks verify formatting and terminology
- Formatting: Desktop publishing to match original document layout
- Delivery: Final delivery with certification if required
What is Certified Translation?
Certified translation is an official translation accompanied by a signed statement from a qualified translator confirming the translation's accuracy and completeness. In the UK, certified translations are required for documents submitted to government bodies, courts, universities, and other official institutions.
The certification statement includes:
- Full translation of all text (including stamps, seals, annotations)
- Certification statement with translator signature and date
- Translator name and professional qualifications
- Company name, address, and contact details
- Statement confirming accuracy and completeness
Translation Pricing in the UK
UK translation pricing typically ranges from £0.07 to £0.18 per word depending on language combination, subject complexity, and translator availability.
Language Tiers:
- Tier 1 (£0.07-0.10/word): French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Polish
- Tier 2 (£0.09-0.12/word): Russian, Turkish, Arabic, Greek
- Tier 3 (£0.12-0.15/word): Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese
- Tier 4 (£0.14-0.18/word): Rare languages like Pashto, Dari, Tigrinya
Certified translations for single-page documents have a fixed fee of £35 per document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this topic
Standard turnaround is 2-3 working days for most documents. A typical certificate takes 24-48 hours. Urgent same-day service is available for time-sensitive projects with a surcharge.
We translate over 200 languages, from common European languages like French, German, and Spanish to rare languages like Tigrinya, Pashto, and Dari.
Yes. All our certified translations meet UKVI and Home Office requirements. We have a 100% acceptance rate for immigration applications.
Certified translation includes a signed statement of accuracy. Notarised translation adds a notary public's seal. UKVI only requires certified translation - notarisation is not needed for UK immigration.
Self-translation is not recommended for official purposes. UKVI advises against it and may reject translations by applicants or their family members.
Word count is calculated from the source document (original language). Our system extracts the exact count from digital files. For scanned documents, OCR technology extracts the text first.
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team
Related Resources
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