Apostille translation and UK document legalisation support

Apostille translation for documents used abroad

Certified translation and legalisation support for UK documents submitted overseas, with the original document, certification, notarial and apostille route reviewed before processing begins.

Start your apostille project Check the required sequence
120+ languages supported across the wider service
Route first the correct legalisation sequence reviewed before work
Human document translation with certification options
Fixed quote and delivery plan confirmed before processing
What the service includes

Translation and legalisation prepared in the correct order.

“Apostille translation” can describe several different requirements. The recipient may need the original document apostilled and then translated, a certified copy legalised, or a solicitor or notary certification connected with the translation apostilled.

Recipient requirement review

The destination country, receiving organisation and exact written instructions are reviewed before the route is confirmed.

Certified document translation

Relevant text, names, dates, stamps, seals and annotations are translated and supplied with the agreed certification.

Solicitor or notary coordination

Prior certification can be arranged where the chosen legalisation route requires an eligible public signature.

Prepared final delivery

The translation and legalised document package is delivered in the agreed digital, printed or tracked format.

Documents

Documents commonly translated for apostille-supported use

Eligibility and the required legalisation route depend on the issuing authority, document format and destination organisation.

BC

Birth and civil certificates

Birth, marriage, death, adoption and civil-partnership certificates used for overseas procedures.

AC

Academic documents

Degree certificates, diplomas, transcripts, school records and professional qualifications.

PA

Powers of attorney

Personal, commercial, property and legal authorisations intended for use in another jurisdiction.

CO

Company documents

Incorporation records, certificates, resolutions, registers and commercial agreements.

ID

Identity-document copies

Certified copies of passports, driving licences and identity documents where the recipient requests legalisation.

POL

Police and disclosure records

Police certificates, criminal-record documents and disclosure records used for work, residency or registration abroad.

MED

Medical documents

Medical certificates, letters and professional health records signed by an eligible practitioner.

LEG

Legal and notarial documents

Affidavits, declarations, contracts, court records and other documents prepared for international legal use.

Choose the correct document

Which document or signature needs the apostille?

The apostille may apply to the original record, a certified copy or a separate solicitor or notary certification. The translation does not automatically require the same treatment.

Public UK record

The original document

Some UK public documents already carry an eligible official signature, stamp or seal and may be suitable for direct legalisation.

  • Registry-issued civil certificates
  • Eligible court documents
  • Certain government-issued records
  • The original may need to be submitted physically
Copy route

A solicitor- or notary-certified copy

A copy may first need certification by a UK solicitor or notary so the resulting public signature can be checked for legalisation.

  • Passport or driving-licence copies
  • Qualifications and private documents
  • Contracts or powers of attorney
  • Original-inspection requirements may apply
Translation-related route

A certification connected with the translation

Some recipients ask for a solicitor or notary to certify a translation-related declaration before that signature is legalised.

  • Recipient instructions must be checked first
  • Translator and notary roles remain separate
  • The apostille authenticates the eligible signature
  • It does not assess linguistic accuracy
Issued outside the UK

A foreign-issued document

A document issued by another country is normally legalised through the competent authority in that issuing country rather than through the UK Legalisation Office.

  • Identify the issuing country
  • Check its apostille or consular route
  • Confirm when translation must occur
  • Follow the destination authority’s sequence
View certified translation View legal translation Ask which document needs legalising
Apostille format

Paper apostille or e-Apostille?

The available format depends on the document and the recipient’s instructions. Some documents are only suitable for the paper route, even when the receiving organisation accepts digital files.

Send your documents for review
PAPER
Paper-based apostille

The eligible original or certified document is submitted for a physical apostille certificate and returned by the agreed postal or courier route.

E-APO
Electronic apostille

An eligible PDF must be electronically signed by a UK notary or solicitor before the completed e-Apostille can be delivered digitally.

CHECK
Recipient and eligibility check

The receiving organisation should confirm whether it accepts an e-Apostille and whether it wants one certificate per document or a particular paper arrangement.

How it works

From recipient instructions to legalised delivery.

The document and legalisation sequence are reviewed before the translation, certification, apostille support and delivery schedule are confirmed.

Upload your documents
  1. 01

    Send the complete documents

    Upload clear copies of every page, including reverse sides, signatures, stamps, seals and attachments.

  2. 02

    Confirm the destination and intended use

    Provide the receiving country, organisation, language pair, deadline and any written apostille instructions.

  3. 03

    Identify the correct legalisation route

    The team reviews whether the original, certified copy, notarial act or another eligible signature must receive the apostille.

  4. 04

    Translate and complete prior certification

    The document is translated and checked, with solicitor or notary coordination completed where required by the agreed route.

  5. 05

    Legalisation and final delivery

    The eligible document proceeds through the agreed paper or electronic route and the completed package is delivered securely.

Apostille translation pricing

A fixed quote covering the required translation and formal route.

The final price depends on the document, language pair, word count, certification, solicitor or notary requirement, number of apostilles, delivery method and deadline.

Request an apostille translation quote View pricing information
Languages

Apostille translation support across 120+ languages

Projects are matched according to the language pair, document type, issuing country, destination and required certification route.

Browse all languages
FR French
DE German
ES Spanish
IT Italian
PT Portuguese
PL Polish
AR Arabic
ZH Chinese
Before you submit

What to send with your apostille translation request

Complete documents and written recipient instructions help prevent the wrong document, signature or translation route being legalised.

Your documents

  • Clear copies of every relevant page
  • Reverse sides, signatures, stamps and seals
  • The original document where available
  • Existing certified copies or notarial documents
  • Previous translations or approved name spellings

Your submission instructions

  • The issuing and destination countries
  • The receiving organisation
  • The source and target languages
  • The recipient’s exact apostille requirement
  • Your deadline and required delivery format
Frequently asked questions

Apostille translation questions

Send the document and recipient’s instructions when you need help identifying the correct translation and legalisation sequence.

Ask about your document
What is an apostille?

An apostille is an official legalisation certificate attached to an eligible UK document after the relevant signature, stamp or seal has been checked for overseas use.

Does an apostille prove that a translation is accurate?

No. An apostille authenticates an eligible signature, stamp or seal. Translation accuracy is addressed through the translation provider’s certification and review process.

Should the document be translated before or after apostille?

The correct sequence depends on the receiving authority. It may want the original document apostilled before translation, or it may require a separate certification connected with the translation to be legalised.

Can the translation itself receive an apostille?

An apostille does not authenticate translation quality directly. Where requested, an eligible solicitor or notary signature connected with a translation declaration may form part of the legalisation route.

What is the difference between notarisation and apostille?

Notarisation is a notarial act involving a document, declaration, signature, identity or certified copy. An apostille is a separate legalisation certificate used to authenticate an eligible public signature, stamp or seal.

What is the difference between certified and apostilled translation?

A certified translation includes a statement confirming that the translation is complete and accurate. Apostille support concerns legalisation of an eligible UK document or public signature for use abroad.

Can a foreign-issued document receive a UK apostille?

A document issued outside the UK is normally legalised through the competent authority in the country where it was issued. The destination organisation should confirm any later translation requirement.

What is an e-Apostille?

An e-Apostille is an electronic legalisation certificate for an eligible PDF that has been electronically signed by a UK notary or solicitor. Not every document type is eligible.

Can birth and marriage certificates receive an e-Apostille?

General Register Office birth, death, marriage, civil-partnership and adoption certificates are not eligible for the UK e-Apostille route and normally require paper-based processing.

How much does apostille translation cost?

Eligible short certified translations start from £35 per page, longer translations from £0.12 per source word, sworn or notarised statements from £45 as an add-on, and apostille or legalisation support from £75. The final quote depends on the complete route and excludes VAT.

How long does apostille translation take?

Timing depends on translation length, language pair, document eligibility, prior certification, the selected apostille format, legalisation processing and return delivery.

Can urgent apostille support be arranged?

Urgent options depend on the document, required certification, language, legalisation route and provider availability. Send the complete files and deadline for assessment.

How can the recipient verify a UK apostille?

UK paper and electronic apostilles contain an issue date and apostille number that the recipient can use with the official UK verification service.

Ready to begin?

Send your documents and overseas requirements for review

Include the issuing country, destination, receiving organisation, language pair and deadline. The team will confirm what needs translating, certifying and legalising before work begins.

Start your order Contact the team