Do I need to provide a notary-certified English translation?

16 Apr 2024, 56 mins ago

Navigating the intricacies of immigration applications often involves providing a plethora of documents to support your case. However, what happens when those documents are not in English or Welsh?

In this blog, we will look into whether you need to provide documents with an English translation certified by a notary for the purposes of your immigration application and explore the relevant guidelines set forth by the Home Office.

Do I Need to Provide Documents with a Notary-Certified English Translation? When submitting documents that are not in English or Welsh in support of an immigration application, it is crucial to ensure that they are accompanied by a full translation. According to the Home Office guidelines, each translation must meet specific criteria.

Translation Requirements:

  1. Accuracy: the translation must be an accurate representation of the original document.
  2. Confirmation: the translator must provide a written confirmation that the translation is accurate.
  3. Date: the translation must include the date on which it was done.
  4. Translator’s Details: the translator’s full name, signature, and contact details must be included.

These requirements have been put in place to ensure the authenticity and reliability of the translated documents, allowing the Home Office to verify their contents independently.

Streamlining the Process: If you are applying as a family or group, you do not need to provide multiple copies of the same documents. This provision simplifies the application process, reducing the administrative burden for applicants submitting documents in languages other than English or Welsh.

Seeking Professional Assistance: While it is possible to translate documents yourself or with the help of a friend or family member who may be proficient in both languages, engaging a professional translator is a requirement for applications made to UK Visas and Immigration. Professional translators possess the expertise and credentials necessary to produce high-quality translations that meet the UK Home Office standards.

Navigating the immigration application process can be complex, especially when it involves providing documents in languages other than English or Welsh. By understanding the requirements for document translation and ensuring compliance with the guidelines set forth by the Home Office, you can streamline the process and enhance the likelihood of a successful outcome for your application.

How Gherson can assist

Gherson’s Immigration Team are highly experienced in advising on UK visa matters. If you have any questions arising from this blog, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on XFacebookInstagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

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