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Certified translations for UK immigration

General guidance on preparing documents that are not in English or Welsh.

Resource type
Evidence explainer
Last reviewed
26 July 2026
Official sources
1
Platform role
Information only
General information, not a personal recommendation

Use these guides to understand published UK immigration requirements and questions to check. Confirm the current rule on GOV.UK and obtain regulated advice for your own circumstances.

What this evidence is for

The purpose matters more than the document name

To allow the decision-maker to understand and verify a foreign-language document.

What the evidence may need to show

Useful features

  • A complete translation of the document
  • Confirmation that the translation is accurate
  • The date of translation
  • Translator or translation-company identification and contact details

Problems to notice early

Common evidence gaps

  • Submitting only selected pages
  • Translation details missing
  • Names or dates translated inconsistently
  • Using an informal translation where certification is required
01

Start with the rule

Identify the fact the route requires the applicant to prove.

02

Match the evidence

Check issuer, content, date, format and required period.

03

Check consistency

Names, addresses, dates and figures should agree across the application.

Primary source

Confirm the current evidence rule

Personal circumstances?

Know when a guide is no longer enough

Eligibility assessments, evidence reviews, application preparation and representation should be handled by a suitably regulated professional.

Verify a regulated professional