We work hard at CTS to ensure our translation services exceed your expectations.
HOW IT WORKS
Getting your documents translated is easy. Follow the below steps, and we’ll get your files translated in no time!
UPLOAD YOUR FILES
Send us your documents by email or upload them via the quotation form on our website.
GET A QUOTE
We'll send you a quote and turnaround time, and answer any questions you have.
RECEIVE DOCUMENTS
Receive the translations by email or get a hard copy sent to you for an additional fee.
OFFICIAL TRANSLATION SERVICES
Our official translation services ensure that your documents are accurately translated and readily accepted by the relevant authorities, no matter what language they are in or where they need to be used.
CERTIFIED
Our most requested service, fully accepted in the UK.
NOTARISED
Signed and stamped before a public notary or solicitor.
APOSTILLED
Legalisation of a document for international use.
SWORN
For use in civil law countries such as Spain, France, and Germany.
ACCREDITED AND CERTIFIED BY
We are members of professional translation associations in the UK, EU, USA, and China. Our certified translation services are widely accepted by government departments, law firms, universities, hospitals, and banks.
DOCUMENT TRANSLATION SERVICES UK
Whether you’re applying for a job overseas with your degree certificate, or registering life events such as births or marriages in a new country, our document translation services will exceed your expectations.
PROFESSIONAL TRANSLATIONS FOR BUSINESS
We offer professional translations for all your business needs. From website content to contracts, we ensure your business communicates effectively in the global market.
LANGUAGES WE TRANSLATE
We provide document translation services in more than 120 languages. If you don't find a particular language listed below, please feel free to reach out to us, or click on "learn more" to view our language list.
OFFICIAL TRANSLATION OF DOCUMENTS
Here, we share our knowledge and expertise and explain the key differences between the four types of official translations, including certified, sworn, notarised, and apostilled / legalised.
As a member of the Association of Translation Companies, CTS is authorised to provide certified translation services in the United Kingdom. It’s our most popular service and we translate and certify hundreds of documents every week into various languages.
A certified translation is the official translation of a document by a certified translator or translation agency. This type of translation is often required if your supporting documents are not in English and you plan to submit them to government authorities, educational institutions, embassies or banks in countries like the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia.
Our certified translation services come with a Certificate of Translation Accuracy on company letterhead, which states that the translated document is a “true and accurate” translation of the original document. The certificate includes the full name, signature, and contact details of a representative of our translation company, as well as our translation stamp.
Compared to other options, certified translation is usually the fastest and most affordable, with translations typically completed within 24 to 48 hours. To get a quote, upload a clear copy of your document through our website or send it to us by email. We don’t require original documents, so please don’t send them to us by post.
Sworn translation is a type of official translation where the translator or linguist confirms that they have personally carried out the translation and that it is an accurate translation of the original document. Sworn translators typically have to take exams and are only authorised to translate the languages they have been approved for.
In the UK, there is no official qualification for sworn translators, which differs from civil law countries, such as France, Spain, Germany, and Italy, where sworn translators are appointed and accredited by the relevant government authorities.
CTS works with sworn translators around the world to provide document translation services that are readily accepted by foreign governments, consulates, and embassies. However, we recommend that clients seek advice from the relevant government department or authority to determine the exact certification required before using our services.
Notarised translation is a type of official translation that includes a sworn statement from a notary public. The notary public verifies the identity of the translator and certifies their statement but does not verify the accuracy of the translation since they are not usually translators themselves.
To produce a notarised translation, we first certify the translation and then present it to a notary public, who adds their signature and stamp to our company certification.
Notarised translations are more formal than certified translations and are often requested for use abroad or in legal or financial matters. The certification by a notary public adds an extra layer of legal recognition to the translated document, making it more trustworthy and reliable in the eyes of foreign institutions and government authorities.
Introduced in 1961, an apostille is a certification that takes the form of a special stamp placed on the original document itself, and it is recognised in all countries that are part of The Hague Convention.
Apostilled or legalised translation is a certified translation that has been notarised by a public notary and further validated by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) with an apostille stamp, which confirms the authenticity of the notary public’s seal and signature. This process is usually required for important documents submitted abroad, such as those supporting an overseas marriage, adoption, visa, or job application. In the UK, the FCO is the competent authority for issuing apostilles.
It is important to note that the requirements for official document translations can differ depending on the country and the purpose of the translation. It is always advisable to verify with the relevant government department or authority the exact type and level of certification needed before using our services.
TESTIMONIALS
Our clients praise us for our accurate translations, personable service, and on-time delivery.
Here are some of the amazing things they have said about working with us.
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Fantastic and fast service, was really impressed with the speed and response to my request! Would absolutely recommend!
Luke Manzi
August 19, 2024My translation job was dealt with very promptly and efficiently. Can recommend CTS
Anneliese Tranter
March 11, 2024I have been very impressed by CTS very fast response! I needed one of my diplomas translated for a Master application and CTS was super efficient! Great customer service also.... read more
Dorcas Dago
March 2, 2024 -
Quick turnaround and reasonable price. Really impressed.
Emily Hall
February 26, 2024I was very pleased with the service provided. The quotation was received immediately, and the work was done well within the 3 working days indicated. The explanation accompanying... read more
elaine cupitt
January 23, 2024I got my document back first thing in the morning. Great job!
Emma Glass
January 15, 2024 -
Fantastic customer service. Fast and acutely translation. Will do more translation with cts translation. Thank you Alex
Claudio Giuseppe
January 10, 2024Perfect business for having a great certified translation in time. The price is good and it is of high quality the service and care for the customer, I greatly recommend... read more
Gat 55
November 27, 2023I would highly recommend their services to anyone who is in need of certified translations.
Benjamin Kylar
November 17, 2023
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CTS stands for certified translation services. We are a professional translation company with over ten years of experience providing certified translation services in the UK. Some of the official documents we can translate include passports, birth and death certificates, marriage and divorce certificates, degree certificates and diplomas, and bank statements. We can also translate business documents, such as marketing materials, user guides, and legal contracts.
Certified translation services are specialised services provided by professional translators or translation agencies that include a signed statement attesting to the accuracy and completeness of the translation. This certification is often required for official purposes, such as visa and immigration, court, mortgage, and academic applications. In essence, certified translation services provide a level of assurance and credibility to translated documents, ensuring they meet the formal standards required by various institutions and organisations.
Self certification is generally not accepted for official purposes. This is because there is a potential for bias or conflict of interest. Immigration authorities such as UKVI require that a neutral third party—a professional translator or translation service—certifies the translation. This ensures that the translation meets the necessary standards.
Yes, our official document translation services are accepted by UK Visas and Immigration, consulates and embassies, HM Passport Office, foreign governments, banks, and academic institutions. When we send the translated documents, we will provide a Certificate of Translation Accuracy, which will: • state that it's a 'true and accurate translation of the original document' • state the full name and contact details of a representative of the translation company (not the translator) • include the translation stamp and credentials of our translation company. This fulfils the requirements of certified translations in the UK.
We charge on a per-word or per-page basis, and our pricing is fully transparent, with no hidden costs. We typically complete certified translations in 1-2 working days, but we also offer a same-day service for clients who require document translations urgently.
The certified translations will be sent to you electronically as a PDF file via email. If a physical copy is required, you have the option of printing the PDF document and it will be considered as an original copy. However, please ensure that you print the translated documents in colour. This will help distinguish them from photocopies and avoid any potential confusion. If you have requested sworn, notarised or apostilled translations, they will be sent to you by post.
No. The original documents are not required and should not be sent to us by post. Please send a scanned copy or a photo of the document instead. Furthermore, please make sure that the document you send to us is clear and easy for our certified translators to read. Unfortunately, we cannot translate anything that is blurred or hidden from view.
When it comes to supplying notes such as spellings for names in certified translations, it is not only allowed but also encouraged. This is because transliteration from certain languages can result in multiple valid spellings in English. Providing the preferred spelling ensures accuracy and consistency with your application and other official documentation.
We take your privacy seriously. All our translators sign confidentiality agreements, and we have secure systems in place to handle sensitive information. Your documents are only accessible to the professionals directly involved in the translation process.
We offer certified translation services in more than 120 languages, including French, Spanish, Italian, German, Polish, Turkish, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Russian, and Arabic. If you would like to know whether we provide translations for a specific language, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
We are required to translate the document exactly as it is, even if there is a mistake in the original document. Before placing an order with us, please ensure your documents are free from errors and that there are no obstructions or missing information.
There are four different types of official translations, namely, certified translations, sworn translations, legalised translations, and notarised translations. A certified translation includes a certification, usually in the form of a signature, stamp, and a statement from the translator or agency representative. Sworn translations are provided by officially appointed translators in the country where the application is being submitted. Notarised translations are certified translations that include a sworn statement from a notary public. Legalised translations, also called apostilled translations, are certified or sworn translations that have been legalised by a government ministry to make them admissible in any foreign country that is part of The Hague Convention.