Are Indian birth certificates always in Hindi?
No. Indian birth certificates are issued in the local state language, which may be Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, or another language. Some municipalities issue bilingual certificates.
India: UK Visa Translation Guide
Translate Indian documents for UK visas: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Punjabi. From £12.99/page. UKVI accepted, 24h delivery.
By Felipe Menendez, Head of TranslationPublished
India is the single largest source country for UK visa applicants. Indians take about a quarter of study visas, a big share of Skilled Worker grants, and a heavy share of spouse visas (Home Office data, 2025). Translation for Indian applicants is rarely a single language. Hindi dominates by volume. But Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi, Gujarati, and Malayalam all show up too, depending on which state issued the document.
What Indian documents need translation for UK visas?
Common Indian documents that need translation include birth certificates, marriage certificates, degree certificates from Hindi-medium institutions, bank statements from regional banks, police clearance certificates, and Aadhaar cards.
India's civil registration is a state matter, so the language depends on the issuing state. A Tamil Nadu birth certificate comes out in Tamil and English. A UP certificate is in Hindi. A Gujarat certificate is in Gujarati. The Hindi-speaking states — UP, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan — account for the bulk by population.
Many Indian institutions issue bilingual local-and-English documents. That can save you a translation if the English column is complete. The trap is when the English column is just a short summary. The binding details (parents' names, exact dates, registration office) only sit in the local-language column. UKVI caseworkers often spot that. Then the translation rule kicks in.
- Birth certificates from municipal corporations
- Marriage certificates (civil and religious)
- Degree certificates and mark sheets
- Bank statements (especially from regional banks)
- Police clearance certificates (PCC)
- Aadhaar cards and PAN cards
- Caste certificates (if required)
- Employment letters and salary slips
- Property documents
Which Indian languages do you translate?
We translate all major Indian languages: Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Gujarati, Malayalam, Punjabi, Urdu, Odia, and Assamese. Every translation is certified and UKVI-accepted.
All the major ones. India recognises 22 scheduled languages plus hundreds of regional dialects. Our translator network covers the major scheduled languages, with country-specific document experience. Hindi is by far the heaviest pair we handle. Bengali (West Bengal), Tamil (Tamil Nadu), and Punjabi (Punjab, Gurmukhi script) come next.
- Hindi (हिन्दी)
- Tamil (தமிழ்)
- Telugu (తెలుగు)
- Bengali (বাংলা)
- Marathi (मराठी)
- Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ)
- Gujarati (ગુજરાતી)
- Malayalam (മലയാളം)
- Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ)
- Odia (ଓଡ଼ିଆ)
Tips for Indian applicants
Check if your documents are already in English before ordering translations. Many Indian institutions issue English certificates. Apply for PCC from Passport Seva Kendra early. Order translations before your visa appointment.
Many Indian applicants save money by checking whether their documents are already in English. Central Board-affiliated schools often issue English certificates. Many universities issue English-medium degree certificates.
For documents that do need translation, order early. PCC processing from Indian passport offices can take 2–3 weeks. Having translations ready when you apply avoids delays.
About the author
Felipe Menendez
Head of Translation, VisaDocTranslation
Felipe leads the translation team at VisaDocTranslation, overseeing certified translations for UK visa, Home Office and HMCTS submissions. He sets the quality standards every translation is checked against and writes about what UKVI caseworkers actually look for.
More about our teamFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to translate my Aadhaar card?
If you are submitting your Aadhaar card as identity evidence and it is in Hindi or another Indian language, yes, a certified translation is required.
Are degree certificates from Indian universities in English?
Many Indian universities issue degree certificates in English. If yours is in English, no translation is needed. If it is in Hindi or another Indian language, a certified translation is required.
How much does it cost to translate Indian documents?
Indian document translation costs from £12.99 per page — the same rate as all other languages. A typical birth certificate is 1 page (£12.99).
How long does Indian PCC take to get?
Indian PCC from Passport Seva Kendra typically takes 1–3 weeks. Plan ahead and order your translation as soon as you receive your PCC.
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