Certified Translation
Our notarised, apostilled, and certified document translations are available in over 200 languages
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We provide certified translations for official, legal and administrative documents, ensuring they meet the requirements of institutions in the UK and internationally. Our certified translation services are available in over 200 languages and can be supplied with supporting certification, notarisation or legalisation where required.
With more than 20 years of experience delivering certified translations for use with government bodies, courts, universities, banks and other official organisations, we understand how important it is to get this right the first time. Our processes are aligned with internationally recognised quality standards, including ISO 9001 and ISO 17100.
If you’re unsure what type of certification you need, we’ll guide you through the options and confirm what’s required before work begins — so you can submit your documents with confidence.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is a translated document that includes a signed statement from the translator confirming that the translation is accurate and complete. This statement is usually attached to the translation and forms part of the official submission.
In many cases, the translator’s declaration must also be verified by a public official — often a notary public — depending on where and how the document will be used. This process helps institutions confirm that the translation has been produced professionally and can be relied upon for official purposes.
There are several certification options available, depending on the requirements of the receiving authority. These range from standard Certificates of Authenticity through to certified translations that also require notarisation or legalisation, including legalisation via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
What makes Kwintessential different
Accredited agency
Certified translations conforming to ISO 17100 and ISO 9001 international quality standards
Notarial services
Notarised and Apostilled translations for use in London and around the world
Accountability
UK-based project managers always ready to help with your queries
Pin-point accuracy
High-quality, word-perfect translations in over 200 languages
What types of documents need to be certified?
Certified translations are most commonly required for legal and official documents. This often includes personal records such as birth certificates, marriage certificates and death certificates, which are typically submitted to government bodies or other authorities.
In practice, however, certification can be required for a much wider range of documents. Any translation intended for official use — whether for legal, administrative, academic or regulatory purposes — may need to be certified, depending on the requirements of the organisation receiving it.
Trusting the right professionals with your certification
When a translation needs to be certified, accuracy, traceability and professional accountability all matter. That’s why recognised quality standards and industry oversight are important.
Kwintessential operates in line with the ISO 9001 quality management standard and the ISO 17100 standard for translation services, both of which set clear requirements for quality control, translator qualifications and documented processes.
We are also a full member of the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) and a corporate member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). These memberships provide additional assurance that our certified translations are produced responsibly, professionally and in line with recognised industry expectations.
What type of certified translation do you need?
Certificate of Authenticity
The most basic level of certified translation is a certificate of authenticity. This is a very common type of certification. In the UK, it is generally required by the courts and the Home Office, as well as universities, insurance companies, and any other body that requires some degree of assurance of a professional and accurate translation.
Our qualified, accredited translators will produce their translation of your document and it will go through our rigorous quality assurance checks like normal. But we will then produce a signed certificate of authenticity, attesting that the translation is true and accurate and that it has been completed by a qualified professional.
Both the certificate and a copy of the translation will then be stamped on each page with our official ATC stamp – a mark of quality known to official bodies in the UK – and then embossed and assigned an appropriate reference number.
Documents that typically require certified translation include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Degree certificates
- Claim forms
- Witness statements
- Evidence bundles.
Notarised Translations
Notarised translations will often be required by some government agencies and other legal bodies.
When producing a notarised translation, the actual translation process is the same. The difference is that we will then take the translation before a notary public and swear an affidavit attesting to its accuracy.
The affidavit will then be countersigned by the notary, affixed with their official seal, and bound together with the translated document and the source document. One important thing to note is that for notarised translations, we do need to be provided with the source documents’ hard copies. These will need to be included in the sealed bundle.
Documents that typically required notarised translation include:
- Articles of association
- Deeds
- Payslips
- Bank statements
Legalised Translations
Where certified translations are being submitted to an official body outside the UK – including foreign governmental agencies – a legalised translation will usually be required.
A legalised translation goes through the same process as a notarised translation. But after the notarisation has been completed, the translated document is taken on to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
The FCO will then review the affidavit and add an Apostille. The Apostille acts as an official recognition by the UK government that the affidavit has been sworn under the supervision of a registered notary public. This will give the translated document equal force in law in any jurisdiction that is a signatory to the Hague Convention.
Documents that typically require legalised translation include:
Any documents which are being translated for submission to a governmental body or agency in a jurisdiction outside the UK.
Sworn Translations
In the UK, there is no such thing as a sworn translator. However, in many other jurisdictions – including France, Spain, and much of Europe – translators can apply to be vetted by the courts.
This process gives them the right to call themselves sworn translators. This means that they are able to certify translations that they complete themselves. These sworn translations will then be acceptable to the courts and other official bodies in their country.
Kwintessential works with an international network of sworn translators. We are pleased to be able to provide sworn translations in almost any language where this is required.
Why choose Kwintessential for certified translations?
The translation industry in the UK is largely deregulated by comparison with many other countries. For example, we have no equivalent of the concept of a sworn translator – a linguist who is certified by the courts to provide official translations.
This means that where you need a certified translation, you need to make sure you use a provider which is accredited, which only works with experienced, qualified linguists, and which guarantees accurate and professional translations.
A member of leading industry bodies
Kwintessential is an active member of the Association of Translation Companies (ATC), the leading industry body for language service providers in the UK.
This means that we adhere to a robust code of conduct and professionalism. As such, we are entitled to mark any certified translations we produce in London with an official ATC stamp.
This stamp is known by all bodies who regularly come into contact with translations and is a recognised mark of quality.
A holder of international standard accreditation
We are proud holders of the ISO 17100 international translation standard and the ISO 9001 international quality standard.
This means that we adhere to – and in many cases exceed – the required international minimum standards for translation companies. This is both in terms of our quality assurance procedures and the experience and qualifications we require from our translators.
This means that you know any translation you receive from us is always going to be of the highest professional standard.
A stone’s throw from the heart of the UK government and law
We are uniquely placed to promptly and efficiently deliver notarised and legalised translations. With our head office in Central London, we are a stone’s throw from both the heart of the UK government and the legal sector.
You can have us attend the offices of a notary public and then the Foreign & Commonwealth Office all on the same day. This means that you don’t have to wait for the usual up to five working days for your legalised documents to come back to you.
Talk to an expert today
All these reasons are why thousands of companies and individuals already trust Kwintessential to provide their certified translations in London, across the UK, and around the world.
For more information or a free, no-obligation quote, please get in touch with a member of our team today.
See our success stories across
different industries
Translation services
Britannia
As part of its international expansion, Britannia Pharmaceuticals had need of a supplier to provide expert translations of a broad range of materials.
localisation services
Harper Collins
In order to meet Harper Collins’ specific requirements, Kwintessential created a dedicated team of specialist translators experienced in translating and localising children’s literature.
localisation services
Marks & Spencer
Our client is a well-known British multinational retailer with headquarters in London, over 700 stores in the UK and an additional 350 stores across 40 countries.
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