Destination requirement review
The country, authority, intended use and written submission instructions are reviewed before the service is confirmed.
Sworn translation for international official use
Sworn translation for overseas authorities
Official document translation prepared according to the translator status, certification wording, seal, format and submission rules of the country or authority receiving your documents.
120+
languages supported across the wider service
Country-led
format based on the destination requirements
Human
translation with document-level review
Fixed
price and delivery plan confirmed first
What you receive
A translation prepared for the destination’s official system.
The title “sworn translator” does not describe one universal global qualification. Translator appointment, permitted language pairs, certification wording, seals and delivery rules can differ between countries and authorities.
Appropriate translator matching
The project is matched according to the language pair, subject and official translator status required by the destination.
Complete document translation
Relevant names, dates, stamps, seals, annotations and document references are translated and checked carefully.
Required certification format
The final document includes the agreed statement, signature, seal, translator details and delivery format.
Documents
Documents commonly submitted for sworn translation
The exact translator status and certification format should be confirmed from the organisation receiving the document.
Civil-status documents
Birth, marriage, divorce, death, adoption and civil-partnership records used in overseas procedures.
Identity documents
Passports, identity cards, residence permits, driving licences and related personal records.
Academic records
Diplomas, degrees, transcripts, school certificates and professional qualifications.
Legal documents
Court orders, judgments, affidavits, witness statements, contracts and supporting legal records.
Powers of attorney
Personal, commercial, property and legal authorisations intended for use in another jurisdiction.
Company documents
Incorporation records, company registers, resolutions, agreements and corporate certificates.
Financial records
Bank statements, tax records, accounts, payslips and financial evidence for official procedures.
Medical and professional records
Medical certificates, professional licences and registration documents used overseas.
Choose the correct route
Sworn, certified, notarised and apostilled are not interchangeable
The correct service depends on the destination country, receiving organisation, document type and exact wording of its instructions.
Sworn translation
Translation prepared under a translator system formally recognised by the country or authority receiving the document.
- Country-specific translator status
- Required signature or official seal
- Prescribed statement or declaration
- Submission format follows destination rules
Certified translation
Translation supplied with a signed statement confirming that it is complete and accurate.
- Signed certificate of accuracy
- Translator or company details
- Date and contact information
- No sworn appointment automatically implied
Notarised translation
Translation combined with a specific notarial act involving a declaration, signature, identity or document copy.
- Notary involvement
- Original or identity checks may apply
- Signature may be witnessed
- Separate from sworn-translator status
Apostille or legalisation
A separate process used to authenticate an eligible public signature, stamp or seal for international use.
- May apply to an original document
- May follow notarisation
- Sequence varies by destination
- Additional processing time applies
Destination requirements
The destination authority decides what makes the translation official.
Before ordering, send the authority’s written instructions where possible. The team can then review the required translator status, certification, originals, copies and later legalisation steps.
Send your authority instructions
AUTH
Who will receive the document?
Court, consulate, civil registry, university or other body
STAT
What translator status is required?
Sworn, court-appointed, authorised or another designation
FORM
What formal elements are required?
Signature, stamp, seal, statement, paper or electronic copy
LEGAL
Is legalisation also required?
Original, copy, translator signature or notarial act
Official uses
Where sworn translations may be requested
Requirements vary even within the same country, so the receiving organisation’s instructions remain the primary reference.
Civil registries and consulates
Birth, marriage, divorce, nationality and family-status documents used in overseas administrative procedures.
Courts and legal authorities
Judgments, evidence, declarations, powers of attorney and other documents submitted in formal legal proceedings.
Universities and professional bodies
Diplomas, transcripts, licences and qualifications used for admissions, recognition or professional registration.
Immigration and residency authorities
Identity, employment, financial and civil documents supporting visa, residence or nationality procedures abroad.
How it works
From destination instructions to official delivery.
The complete requirement is checked before the translator route, certification format, fixed quote and delivery date are confirmed.
Upload your documents-
01
Send every relevant document page
Upload clear copies of the front, reverse, stamps, seals, attachments and any existing translations.
-
02
Confirm the destination and authority
Provide the destination country, receiving organisation, language pair, intended use and deadline.
-
03
Review the official translation route
The team checks the required translator status, certification wording, seal, original-document rules and delivery format.
-
04
Translate and complete the required formalities
The document is translated, reviewed and completed with the applicable declaration, signature, stamp or seal.
-
05
Receive the completed translation
The final package is delivered in the agreed digital, printed or tracked format, with separate legalisation where selected.
Sworn translation quality checks
The wording and the formal certification must both be correct.
A correctly stamped document can still be unsuitable when names, dates, references, annotations or important source content have been translated incorrectly or omitted.
The final document must also follow the destination’s rules for translator details, statements, signatures, seals and attachment of the source document.
Complete source content
Relevant pages, stamps, seals, handwritten notes and attachments are considered.
Names and official details
Names, dates, references, numbers and document identifiers are checked against the source.
Destination format
The agreed statement, signature, seal and translator details are included where required.
Secure file handling
Personal, legal, academic and business records are handled through a controlled workflow.
Sworn translation pricing
A fixed quote based on the document and destination route.
Pricing depends on the language pair, document length, translator status, destination-country requirements, certification format, originals, delivery method and deadline.
Languages
Official translation support across 120+ languages
Availability is checked according to the language pair, destination, document type and official translator status required by the receiving authority.
Browse all languages
FR
French
DE
German
ES
Spanish
IT
Italian
NL
Dutch
PL
Polish
PT
Portuguese
AR
Arabic
Before you submit
What to send with your sworn translation request
Complete files and written authority instructions help avoid commissioning the wrong translator or certification format.
Your documents
- Clear copies of every relevant page
- Reverse sides, stamps, seals and attachments
- Originals where the authority may require inspection
- Existing translations or approved name spellings
- Any document that must be attached to the translation
Your submission instructions
- The destination country and receiving organisation
- The source and target languages
- The authority’s exact written requirement
- Your deadline and required delivery format
- Any notarisation, apostille or legalisation instructions
Frequently asked questions
Sworn translation questions
Send the complete document and recipient’s instructions when you need help identifying the correct official route.
Ask about your documentWhat is a sworn translation?
A sworn translation is an official translation prepared under a translator framework recognised by the country, court, registry or authority that will receive the document.
Does the UK have sworn translators?
The UK does not operate one national government-appointed sworn translator system. Many UK submissions use certified translations, while documents going abroad may need a translator recognised under the destination country’s system.
What is the difference between sworn and certified translation?
A certified translation includes a signed statement confirming accuracy. A sworn translation is connected to a translator status or official framework recognised by a particular destination country or authority.
Is sworn translation the same as notarised translation?
No. Sworn translation concerns the translator’s recognised status or the official translation framework. Notarisation concerns a separate act involving a signature, declaration, identity or document copy.
Does a sworn translation need an apostille?
Not always. An apostille may instead be required for the original document, a certified copy, a notarial signature or another eligible signature or seal. The required sequence should be confirmed before processing.
Which documents can receive sworn translation?
Common documents include birth and marriage certificates, passports, academic records, court documents, contracts, powers of attorney, company records and professional qualifications.
How do I know whether I need a sworn translator?
Check the instructions issued by the organisation receiving the document. Send those instructions with the source document so the required translator status and certification format can be reviewed.
Do you need the original document?
A clear digital copy may be sufficient for assessment and translation. The receiving authority, translator or later legalisation process may nevertheless require the original or a certified copy.
How much does sworn translation cost?
Eligible short certified documents start from £35 per page, longer translation from £0.12 per source word and specialist work from £0.16. Sworn or official-statement requirements start from £45 as an add-on. Final pricing depends on the destination route and excludes VAT.
How long does sworn translation take?
Timing depends on the language pair, document length, destination requirements, authorised-translator availability, originals, delivery format and any legalisation steps.
Can urgent sworn translation be arranged?
Urgent handling may be available depending on the language, destination system, document length and authorised-translator availability. Send the complete files and deadline for review.
Ready to begin?
Send your document and destination requirements for review
Include the receiving country, authority, language pair and deadline. The team will confirm whether the document needs sworn, certified, notarised or apostille-supported translation.