Can I translate documents myself for the Home Office?

No. A translation done by you or a bilingual friend will not be accepted by the Home Office. You need an independent professional translator whose details can be verified.

Which translator is safest to use for the Home Office?

The safest choice is a translator listed with CIOL (ciol.org.uk) or ITI (iti.org.uk), or a company with ATC accreditation. The Home Office accepts any qualified professional whose details can be independently verified — but a UK professional with CIOL/ITI membership reduces the risk of delays.

Can I use Google Translate for the Home Office?

No. Automated translation is not accepted by the Home Office or NHS. You need a translation by a live professional with their name, contact details and signature on it.

How much does a certified translation cost in the UK?

Simple documents (birth certificate, passport) typically start from £25–50. A degree certificate with transcript costs £80–150. A medical record costs £50–200. ECCTIS (qualification recognition) costs £210 and takes 20 working days.

How can I get a translation for free?

If you have a Legal Aid lawyer, ask them first — they can often order a translation as part of your case. Asylum seekers can also contact Migrant Help (0808 8010 503).

Does a translator need to be based in the UK?

Not necessarily. Home Office guidance allows qualified translators from the UK or abroad, provided their details can be independently verified. However, a UK-based CIOL/ITI member is easier to verify and reduces the risk of delays.

Document translation for UK: get accepted first time

What counts as a valid translation for the Home Office, NHS and UKVI?

The rule is the same for all three: if a document is going into your case and it is not in English or Welsh, you need a full translation from a professional translator. Not a summary, not a partial translation — the complete document, including every stamp, seal and handwritten note.

Every translation must include:

Complete translation of the whole document — every stamp, seal, margin note
Date of translation
Full name of the translator
Signature of the translator
Contact details (phone or email)
Statement of accuracy and completeness — a phrase like "I certify this is a true and accurate translation"

For Leave to Remain (LTR) and ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain — permanent residence), the Home Office also requires evidence of the translator's qualifications.

Who can do it — and who cannot

Safe and reliable

Translator listed with CIOL (Chartered Institute of Linguists) — ciol.org.uk
Translator listed with ITI (Institute of Translation and Interpreting) — iti.org.uk
Company with ATC (Association of Translation Companies) accreditation
Any professional translator with a verifiable UK profile and contact details

Grey area — technically allowed, but higher risk

A translator based in your home country is technically allowed if the translation is complete and the translator's details can be verified (gov.uk guidance explicitly permits this). In practice, the Home Office finds it harder to verify an overseas translator, which increases the chance of being asked for a repeat translation. If you have a choice, use a UK-based professional.

Not accepted — will be rejected

Google Translate or any other automated translation tool
Translation by yourself — even if it is your native language
Translation by a bilingual friend without professional qualifications
A bilingual family member

Note: "Home Office approved" is a marketing phrase, not an official status

There is no official government list of "approved translators" in the UK. If an agency claims to be "Home Office approved", that is marketing language. Look for CIOL, ITI or ATC membership instead — these are real professional standards.

Cost — real price ranges

Document	Standard price	Urgent (24 hours)
Birth certificate (1 page)	£25–35	£40–60
Passport (1–2 pages)	£30–60	£50–80
Marriage certificate	£25–40	£40–60
Degree certificate + transcript	£80–150	£150–250
Longer medical record	£50–200	on request

ECCTIS (formerly NARIC) — the government service for recognising overseas qualifications: £210, 20 working days. This is a separate government service, not the translation itself.

When it may be free:

Legal Aid lawyer — can often order a translation as part of your case. Ask them first.
Migrant Help (0808 8010 503) — may help connect asylum seekers with translation support

Why you cannot translate it yourself or use a friend

Direct answer: it will not be accepted. Even if the translation is linguistically perfect, the Home Office will reject it. The requirement is that the translator must be independent and verifiable. You and your friends do not meet this requirement by definition.

If money is a real problem, ask your Legal Aid lawyer first, or contact Migrant Help. Do not risk a rejection.

Certified, notarised, apostille — what is the difference?

Type	What it is	When needed	Cost
Certified translation	Translator certifies accuracy with their signature	For Home Office, UKVI, NHS — usually enough	£25–80
Notarised translation	A notary confirms the translator's identity	Rarely — usually for overseas authorities	+£60–100 on top of translation
Apostille	An official stamp on the original document	Applied in the country of issue — before translation	Varies by country

What do you need specifically?

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For asylum, visa or immigration status?

Translating your passport, certificates or medical letters for Home Office or UKVI. What you need for an asylum claim, LTR (Leave to Remain) or ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

Full guide →

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For GP, NHS or hospital?

When a medical record translation is needed — and when it is not. What the NHS is required to provide. Your rights at a medical appointment.

NHS guide →

Glossary — what these terms mean

Home Office	The UK government department responsible for immigration, visas and asylum
UKVI	UK Visas and Immigration — a division of the Home Office
CIOL	Chartered Institute of Linguists — the main UK professional body for translators
ITI	Institute of Translation and Interpreting — the second main UK professional body
ATC	Association of Translation Companies — professional body for translation companies
ECCTIS (formerly NARIC)	Government service for recognising overseas qualifications — £210, 20 working days
Legal Aid	Government-funded free legal help for those who qualify
ILR	Indefinite Leave to Remain — permanent right to live in the UK
LTR	Leave to Remain — temporary permission to stay in the UK
Apostille	An official stamp placed on an original document in the country that issued it

Legal Aid — free legal help in the UK The asylum process in the UK — from start to finish Find a verified translator in our directory