Medical document translation for NHS — when needed and when not
GP registration, appointments, medical records — your rights
You do not need to translate your medical records to register with a GP
A GP practice must register you without a translation, without ID, without proof of address, and without proof of immigration status.
If a GP refuses because you have no translation — this is a breach of NHS England rules.
Call Migrant Help: 0808 8010 503, or show the GP the official NHS England registration guidance.
If a GP refuses because you have no translation — this is a breach of NHS England rules.
Call Migrant Help: 0808 8010 503, or show the GP the official NHS England registration guidance.
The NHS must register you without any documents
Under NHS England rules, every person in the UK has the right to register with a GP free of charge. A translated medical record, a passport, or proof of immigration status are not required.
If a receptionist says "please bring a translation of your medical records" — that is incorrect. This often happens because the staff member is unaware of the rules, not out of bad intent. But it does not change your right.
What to do if you are refused:
- Show them the official NHS England guidance on GP registration
- Call Migrant Help (0808 8010 503) — they can help
- Write down the name of the staff member and the date — this helps if you make a complaint
- Try another GP practice in your area
At a medical appointment — who is required to interpret?
The GP practice must provide a free interpreter. This is usually a person on the phone (the most common setup) or occasionally in the room. The service is free for everyone, including asylum seekers.
Your rights at appointments
- You have the right to refuse a friend or family member as your interpreter
- If the doctor says "bring someone with you" — this is not acceptable
- Just say: "I need an official NHS interpreter"
- An interpreter can be connected by phone during the appointment
- You can ask to reschedule if no interpreter is available today
When is a medical record translation actually useful?
A translation is not needed for registration. But it can be helpful if you want your doctor to understand your medical history straight away. This matters most when you have:
🫀
A chronic condition — diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease. Your GP needs access to your treatment history to continue therapy.
🤰
Pregnancy — for antenatal care, it is important that your midwife and GP know about any previous pregnancies, deliveries and operations.
🧠
Mental health — if you have had previous treatment, diagnoses or hospitalisations, a translation helps a new doctor understand your situation immediately.
💊
Continuing a prescription — if you are taking regular medication and need a repeat prescription, the doctor needs to see the original prescription.
Practical tip: A full 50-page medical record is expensive and takes a long time to translate. Start with a summary of the last 2–3 years or a letter from your previous doctor — this is usually enough.
How much does medical translation cost?
| Document type | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor's letter or short summary (1–2 pages) | £40–80 |
| 2–3 year summary (5–15 pages) | £80–200 |
| Full medical record (50+ pages) | £200–500 |
| Urgent translation (24 hours) | +50–70% on standard price |
When it may be free or cheaper:
- If you have a Legal Aid lawyer and the translation is needed for your case — ask them, they may be able to arrange it
- Migrant Help (0808 8010 503) may be able to help connect asylum seekers with translation support
Special cases — where an interpreter is provided automatically
HIV and infectious diseases
Specialist NHS HIV clinics often work with interpreters. HIV testing at GUM clinics is free and anonymous. More information: HIV and the NHS.
Mental health
NHS Community Mental Health teams must provide an interpreter. If you have a key worker, they will organise an interpreter for each appointment. More: mental health services.
Sexual health (GUM clinics)
All appointments are free and anonymous — for everyone, without exception, regardless of immigration status. An interpreter is included automatically. More: sexual health clinics.
If you are worried that sharing medical documents might affect your immigration case — speak to your lawyer or Migrant Help (0808 8010 503) before bringing any documents to appointments.
Glossary
| GP | General Practitioner — a family doctor, your first point of contact with the NHS |
| NHS | National Health Service — the UK's public healthcare system |
| GUM clinic | Genitourinary Medicine clinic — sexual health clinic (free and anonymous) |
| Antenatal care | Pregnancy care and check-ups during pregnancy |
| CIOL | Chartered Institute of Linguists — main UK professional body for translators |
| Legal Aid | Government-funded free legal help |