Is notarised translation better than certified translation?
Not for UK visa purposes. Notarisation adds cost and time without providing any additional benefit for UKVI applications. Certified translation is all that is required.
Certified vs Notarised Translation: What's the Difference?
Last updated: March 2026
Three terms get used interchangeably, and they shouldn't be. Certified, notarised, and sworn translations are different things. Which one you actually need depends entirely on who's asking. UK visa applications need certified — full stop. This page explains the difference and costs, plus the few real-world cases where you might genuinely want notarisation on top.
What is the difference between certified and notarised translation?
A certified translation includes a translator's statement of accuracy. A notarised translation adds a solicitor or notary public witnessing the translator's signature. For UK visas, only certified translation is required — notarisation is unnecessary.
The confusion between certified and notarised costs UK applicants real money — somewhere in the tens of millions of pounds a year, by our rough back-of-envelope. Most of that comes from people who heard 'official translation' in a US-immigration context and assumed UKVI wants the same. The table below puts them side by side so you can see what's actually different.
| Feature | Certified | Notarised | Sworn |
|---|---|---|---|
| Definition | Translation + signed statement of accuracy from translator | Certified translation + solicitor/notary witnessing the signature | Translation by court-appointed translator (European system) |
| Required for UKVI? | Yes — this is all you need | No — not required for UK visas | No — not used in the UK system |
| Cost | From £12.99/page | £45–£80/page (translation + notary fees) | Varies — not standard in UK |
| Turnaround time | 24 hours | 3–5 days (requires notary appointment) | Varies by country |
| Common in | UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand | USA, some EU countries | France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium |
| Accepted by UKVI | Yes | Yes (but unnecessary) | Yes (but unnecessary) |
Definition
- Certified
- Translation + signed statement of accuracy from translator
- Notarised
- Certified translation + solicitor/notary witnessing the signature
- Sworn
- Translation by court-appointed translator (European system)
Required for UKVI?
- Certified
- Yes — this is all you need
- Notarised
- No — not required for UK visas
- Sworn
- No — not used in the UK system
Cost
- Certified
- From £12.99/page
- Notarised
- £45–£80/page (translation + notary fees)
- Sworn
- Varies — not standard in UK
Turnaround time
- Certified
- 24 hours
- Notarised
- 3–5 days (requires notary appointment)
- Sworn
- Varies by country
Common in
- Certified
- UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand
- Notarised
- USA, some EU countries
- Sworn
- France, Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium
Accepted by UKVI
- Certified
- Yes
- Notarised
- Yes (but unnecessary)
- Sworn
- Yes (but unnecessary)
Why don't UK visas require notarisation?
The UK legal system does not use sworn or notarised translations as standard. UKVI requires only that a qualified translator certifies the accuracy of their translation and provides their credentials. This is sufficient for all Home Office purposes.
Three different traditions, three different answers to the same question ("how do we trust a translation?"). The US wants a notary's stamp on top of the translator's signature. France, Germany, Spain, and a few others maintain a register of court-appointed sworn translators who are the only people allowed to produce official translations. The UK does neither. The translator signs a statement of accuracy, includes their credentials, and that's the document.
It's the lightest-touch system of the three, and it works because the translator is personally on the hook — their name, contact details, and date sit on the document, so a bad translation has a name attached to it.
When might I actually need a notarised translation?
You may need notarised translation for US immigration (USCIS), some EU administrative processes, international property transactions, and documents requiring apostille legalisation. You do NOT need it for UK visas.
There are real cases for notarisation — they just don't include the UK visa application sitting in front of you. If you're filing with US immigration (USCIS) for a parallel application, USCIS expects notarisation as standard. International property purchases tend to require it. So do international adoption proceedings, some EU administrative submissions, and documents you're sending for FCDO apostille.
The distinction matters: paying for notarisation because the document is going to one of those places is sensible. Paying for it 'just in case' on a UKVI submission is paying for nothing.
- US immigration (USCIS) applications
- International property purchases
- Some EU administrative processes
- Documents requiring FCDO apostille
- International adoption proceedings
Frequently Asked Questions
Will UKVI reject my application if I submit a notarised translation?
No. UKVI will accept a notarised translation — they just don't require it. You would be paying extra for something unnecessary.
What is a sworn translation?
A sworn translation is done by a translator officially appointed by a court. This system is used in some European countries (France, Germany, Spain) but is not part of the UK system.
How can I tell if my translation is certified?
A certified translation should include a signed statement of accuracy, the translator's credentials, their contact details, and the date. If it has these elements, it is certified.
Do solicitors provide certified translations?
Solicitors are not translators. They can notarise a translation (witness the translator's signature) but cannot produce the translation itself. For UK visas, you need only a certified translation from a qualified translator.
Get Your Certified Translation Today
UKVI-accepted certified translations from £12.99 per page. Statement of accuracy included. 24-hour delivery.