Document Certification Checker - Find Which Certification Your Translation Needs

Which certification do you think you need?

If the receiving authority has told you what to get, choose it here and we will explain what it involves. If not, choose “I am not sure” and we will recommend the right level from your answers.

Most likely neededCertified translation Standard certification for official use in the United Kingdom Select to see what is included Why we don’t think you’ll need thisA UK certified translation carries a signed statement of accuracy from the translator or agency, which is the standard here but not there. Civil-law authorities generally require the translator to be sworn before a court or appointed by a state authority in their own country, and to register the translation under their own seal and number. Spain, France, Italy, Germany and Poland all work this way, and a UK certified translation is commonly refused. Portugal is the exception worth knowing: it has no sworn-translator register, and a translation is instead certified before a lawyer or notary there — so the route differs, but a UK certificate of accuracy still does not carry standing on its own. Why we don’t think you’ll need thisA certified translation on its own is rarely enough for these submissions. The receiving authority is looking for a chain of authentication it can verify from outside the UK, which means the translation is notarised and then legalised before it is sent. A certified translation alone carries no signature that the authority can trace back to a UK official. Why we don’t think you’ll need thisA mission attesting a document works from the UK authentication chain, not from the translation alone. Before it will attest, it normally needs the translation notarised and then legalised by the FCDO. A certified translation on its own gives the mission no UK signature it holds on record, which is what its attestation is confirming. What is includedA complete translation of the document, plus a signed certificate of accuracy confirming it is a true and accurate translation of the original, the date of translation, and the full name, credentials and contact details of the signatory. Paragraph 39B of the Immigration Rules requires a document not in English or Welsh to be supplied with the original-language version and a full translation that the decision-maker can independently verify; Home Office guidance asks for the translator’s confirmation, the date, their full name and signature and their contact details. For leave to remain and indefinite leave to remain the Rules go further and require certification by a qualified translator, with their credentials given. In practice the certificate is issued on company letterhead and signed by the translator, or by an authorised representative on the company’s behalf, with the company accountable for the work. When the translator must sign personallyCourt proceedings are the exception. Where a translation is put before a UK court — divorce, financial remedy and family matters especially — the translator signs the document personally and gives a statement of truth, because the court needs a named individual who is personally accountable for the accuracy of the text. A company-signed certificate is not a substitute for that. Normally used forHome Office and UKVI applications, UK courts and tribunals, universities and UK ENIC, employers and DBS checks, banks, insurers and solicitors — most official use in the United Kingdom.

Most likely neededSworn translation For civil-law countries — produced abroad, not in the UK Select to see what is included Why we don’t think you’ll need thisThe United Kingdom operates no register of sworn translators. There is no court that appoints them and no register to be sworn onto, so no UK body can require one — government departments, courts and universities across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland work to the certified standard instead. Where someone in the UK asks for a “sworn translation”, they almost always mean a certified one, and we can put that in writing for them if it helps. Why we don’t think you’ll need thisNone of these countries operates a sworn-translator system. They are common-law jurisdictions with no court register to be sworn onto, and the United States, Canada, Ireland and New Zealand all work to the certified standard — a full translation with a signed certificate of accuracy. Australia is the one to watch: many authorities there expect a NAATI-accredited translator, which is a professional accreditation rather than a court appointment. Tell us if that applies and we will match it. Why we don’t think you’ll need thisSworn translation is a continental European mechanism, and the UK keeps no register of sworn translators to produce one. Most authorities in this group do not use the model either — they rely on notarisation and legalisation instead. Brazil and Argentina are the notable exceptions, where a translation must be produced by a public translator registered in the country; if that is your destination, tell us and we will arrange it there. Why we don’t think you’ll need thisA sworn translation is produced by a translator on a foreign court’s register, and the UK has no equivalent to appoint one. A mission based in the UK is not checking a foreign register in any case — it is checking the UK chain of notary, then FCDO, then its own attestation. A sworn translation does not sit anywhere on that route. What is includedTranslation by a translator sworn before a court or appointed by a state authority in the destination country, carrying their official seal, signature and registration number. That translator is personally accountable to that country’s courts for the accuracy of the text. Normally used forSpain, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands and most other civil-law countries. Not every EU country works this way — Portugal has no sworn-translator register and certifies through a lawyer or notary instead — so we confirm the destination’s own rule before commissioning. The UK operates no register of sworn translators either, so a sworn translation cannot be issued here: it is always produced in the destination country, through our network there.

Most likely neededNotarised translation A notary verifies the signature — usually a step towards an apostille Select to see what is included Why we don’t think you’ll need thisA notary confirms the identity of the person who signed the certificate of accuracy. They do not read or check the translation, so notarising it adds no weight to the translation itself. The Home Office, HM Courts & Tribunals, UK ENIC, the DVLA, the General Register Office and UK banks all accept a certified translation without it. It is worth the extra cost only where the receiving body has asked for it in writing, which is uncommon for documents staying in the UK. Why we don’t think you’ll need thisNotarisation authenticates a signature. It does not place the translator on the destination country’s register, which is the thing the receiving authority is actually checking for. A notarised UK translation is still a UK translation, so adding a notary adds cost without changing whether it is accepted. Why we don’t think you’ll need thisFor US immigration, a certified English translation with a certificate of the translator’s competence is what the rules call for, and notarisation is not part of that requirement. Most Canadian, Irish and New Zealand bodies take the same view. Because a notary verifies a signature rather than a translation, it adds cost without adding standing. Individual courts and licensing boards occasionally do ask for it — if yours has, tell us and we will include it. Why we don’t think you’ll need thisNotarisation is part of this route rather than the whole of it. On its own it authenticates the signature on the translation and nothing further. These authorities normally need the notarised document to carry an FCDO apostille as well, and for countries outside the Hague Convention an embassy attestation on top of that. Stopping at notarisation would leave the document short of what is checked at the other end. Why we don’t think you’ll need thisNotarisation is the first step of this route rather than the destination. The mission normally requires FCDO legalisation on the notarised document before it will add its own attestation, and most charge a consular fee at that point. Choosing notarisation on its own would leave the document short of what the mission needs to see. What is includedA certified translation plus a notary public’s certificate. Importantly, the notary verifies the identity and signature of the person certifying the translation — not the quality of the translation itself. This is what gives the document a signature the FCDO holds on record. Normally used forOverseas authorities and some embassies, and as the required first step before an apostille on documents that are not public records — a power of attorney, a contract or a qualification certificate.

Most likely neededApostille or legalisation Government certification of a signature, for use overseas Select to see what is included Why we don’t think you’ll need thisAn apostille legalises a UK document for use in another country under the Hague Convention. Your document is being submitted in the UK, so there is nothing to legalise — a UK authority does not need the FCDO to vouch for a signature it can verify directly. If you have been asked for an apostille, check whether they mean one on your foreign original, which would be issued by the country that produced it, rather than on the translation. Why we don’t think you’ll need thisAn apostille is not a level of translation — it legalises a signature or seal on a document. Where an EU authority needs one, it is normally on your UK original, such as a birth certificate or court order, and not on the translation, which is produced in the destination country by the sworn translator. If your original does need legalising we arrange that separately, alongside the sworn translation. Why we don’t think you’ll need thisAn apostille certifies a signature or seal for use abroad and applies to your original document, not to the translation. All of these countries are in the Hague Convention, so if the receiving body wants your UK original legalised, that is an FCDO apostille on the original, which we arrange alongside the translation. It is not a certification level you choose for the translation itself. What is includedAn apostille certificate issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office confirming the signature or seal on a UK document. It certifies the signature, not the wording, so it is applied to the original public document — or to a notarised translation — never to an uncertified translation. Normally used forCountries in the Hague Apostille Convention. Countries outside it — the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Egypt among them — need the full chain of notarisation, FCDO legalisation and then embassy attestation. The FCDO’s own standard postal service currently runs up to 25 working days, and its 2-day e-apostille cannot be used for birth, death, marriage, civil partnership or adoption certificates, any other General Register Office document, or ACRO and DBS certificates — we use the registered business channel to avoid that wait.

Most likely neededI am not sure We will recommend the right level from your answers Select to see what happens next Most people are not sure - the terms are used loosely and often interchangeably. We will recommend the right level from your earlier answers, however we always advise clients to confirm the requirements directly with the receiving authority before you pay anything.

Our Certified Translation Requirements Checker

Not sure what type of certified translation service you need? The requirements can vary depending on your document, the languages involved, the country where the document will be submitted and the organisation or authority requesting it. What is accepted for one application may not necessarily be accepted for another.

The TS24 Certified Translation Requirements Checker is designed to make this easier. Answer a few simple questions about your document and where it needs to be submitted, and the tool will provide guidance on the type of certification you are most likely to need.

Please note, this tool is not a legal guarantee of acceptance by the authorities. Our tool is only an estimate of price, turnaround time and the most likely certification needed for your documents based on your answers. Nonetheless, always confirm directly with the receiving authority which type of certified translation they require from you before placing an order.

To get started, simply enter the details requested by the checker, including your document type, languages, destination country and the organisation or authority receiving the translation. Based on your answers, we'll point you towards the most appropriate certification option for your situation.

The checker is intended to provide practical guidance and help you understand your options before ordering a translation. It is particularly useful if you are unsure whether you need a standard certified translation, notarisation, legalisation, an apostille or another form of certification.

How the Certified Translation Checker Works

The checker considers several of the factors that can affect which type of translation or certification may be appropriate. These can include the type of document, source and target language, destination country, intended use and the authority or organisation requesting the translation.

This is important because there is no single form of certification that applies to every document or country. For example, a translation accepted by a UK organisation may not meet the requirements of an overseas authority, while some applications may require additional steps such as notarisation, an apostille or legalisation.

By taking these details into account, the checker gives you a more useful starting point than simply choosing a certification based on the type of document alone.

What Can the Checker Help You With?

The checker can help you understand which certification option may be suitable for your particular circumstances. Depending on your answers, it may provide guidance on whether you are likely to need a certified translation, notarisation, an apostille, legalisation or another certification requirement.

If you already know the exact certification required by the receiving authority, you can use that information when requesting your translation. If you are unsure, the checker gives you a practical starting point and can help you identify the questions you may need to clarify before proceeding.

How we built this checker

Built by Translation Services 24: This checker was developed using our experience providing certified translation services and is designed to help users understand when certification may be required. It is a preliminary guide and does not replace the requirements of the receiving authority.

This checker is based on our experience providing certified and legalised translations for UK and international submissions, together with the published requirements of receiving authorities, such as the Home Office, UKVI, Passport Office, HM courts, and other UK & international authorities.

Need Help With Your Translation?

If you are still unsure about the requirements for your documents, our team can help. Email us your documents and let us know where they need to be submitted and what they are being used for. We can review the information and advise you on the most appropriate translation service based on your requirements.

You can also request a free translation quote online, call our Translation Office on +44 208 677 3775, or use our live chat to speak with a member of our team.

✓Last Reviewed - September 2026 byLucia Petrulli·Certified Translation Expert & Senior Project Manager

Certified Translation Requirements Checker

Find Out Which Certified Translation Type Your Documents Need

Find the certification your document needs

Our Certified Translation Requirements Checker

How the Certified Translation Checker Works

What Can the Checker Help You With?

How we built this checker

Need Help With Your Translation?

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