Official translation

There are generally two categories of translations which are required for official purposes:

Here is a detailed explanation of both categories.

CERTIFIED TRANSLATIONS

Translations are normally considered 'certified' if they have been produced under one of the three circumstances below:

1. The document has been translated by a 'Sworn Translator'

In some countries, translators can register with an official body as a "Sworn Translator" and by doing so be recognised by authorities such as the High Court of Justice to translate and legalise documents (often referred to as producing a 'certified translation').

NOTE: There is no such thing as a Sworn Translator in the UK as there is no recognised official body which grants authorisation to legalise or certify.

2. The document has been certified by the translator or the translation company

Even though there is no formal route by which a translator can be authorised to certify translations in the UK , it is often acceptable to the requesting party for the translator to declare that they are a professional translator and they believe it to be a 'true and accurate translation of the original".

In theory, anyone who claims to be a translator could make this claim. However it is always best to ensure that the translators state their qualifications to give credit to their claim.

For instance:

"I, Mrs Katia Ivanova, a member of the Institute of Linguists, competent to translate from ...... into ......, hereby declare that the annexed translation in the ..... language of ........., and executed by me is, to the best of my professional knowledge and belief, a true and faithful translation of the ......original."

Translation companies can also self-certify translations on behalf of their translators, again stating their credentials

For instance:

RussianStyle Limited hereby declare that the annexed translation in the ..... language of ........ was executed by a professional translator competent to translate from ..... into ....., and is to the best of our professional knowledge and belief, a true and faithful translation of the .....original.

We strongly recommend that if your document is translated by a freelance translator in the UK they should be a member of the Institute of Translators and Interpreters or Institute of Linguists .

3. Certification in front of a solicitor

This is very similar to point 2. above, the only difference is that the document is signed in front of a Solicitor or Notary Public as being "true to the original". The solicitor or notary public also adds their signature and official seal to prove it has been witnessed.

LEGALISED TRANSLATIONS

Legalization can be thought of as an extra step on top of the certification processes described above. The process varies depending on whether or not the country which the document is destined for use in is a member of the Hague Convention.

1. Countries which ARE a member of the Hague Convention

Translation of birth, death, marriage certificates or corporate documents may need to legalized if the translated documents are to be used outside of the UK . The Hague Convention abolishes the requirement of diplomatic or consular legislation for foreign public documents. To be classed as legalized, an additional document, issued by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, called an "apostil" is required. An apostil is a declaration which bears an official signature by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and is either stamped on the translated document or attached to a separate sheet.

2. Countries which ARE NOT a member of the Hague Convention

Countries that are not members of the Hague Convention require full legislation of documents which involves one extra step: After an apostil has been issued by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office all documents have to be sent to the consul of the relevant foreign embassy. The consul then adds their own certificate.