Does UKVI require notarised translations?
No. UKVI requires certified translations with a statement of accuracy. Notarisation is NOT required for any standard UK visa application.
UKVI Translation Requirements 2026
What UKVI requires in 2026: certified translation, statement of accuracy, translator credentials. No notarisation needed for visa applications.
By Felipe Menendez, Head of TranslationPublished
UKVI's translation rule has barely changed for years. Any document not in English or Welsh needs a certified translation alongside it. That translation has to carry a signed statement of accuracy plus translator details. This page lays out the 2026 specifics — what must go on the statement, what UKVI doesn't ask for (notarisation, accreditation, UK-based translators), and where to find the gov.uk guidance.
What are the current UKVI translation requirements?
UKVI requires certified translations that include a signed statement of accuracy, the translator's full credentials and qualifications, their contact details, the date of translation, and confirmation of competence in both languages.
UKVI is the Home Office division that processes visa applications. The translation rules apply uniformly across visa categories. They get reviewed periodically but rarely change in substance — the format that worked last year still works this year.
As of 2026, the core requirements are unchanged: certified translation with statement of accuracy, translator credentials, contact details, date. Two things UKVI doesn't require, despite persistent rumour. Notarisation (a solicitor witnessing the translator's signature). And a UK-based translator. Neither makes the translation any more valid in UKVI's eyes.
- Signed statement of accuracy
- Translator's full name
- Translator's qualifications and credentials
- Translator's contact details (address, phone, email)
- Date of translation
- Confirmation of competence in both languages
- Confirmation that the translation is accurate and complete
Has anything changed in 2026?
The core translation requirements remain unchanged in 2026. UKVI continues to require certified translations with statements of accuracy. The key change is the increased financial threshold for spouse visas to £29,000, affecting the volume of financial documents needing translation.
The translation rule itself: no. The downstream pressure: yes. Salary thresholds for spouse visas jumped from £18,600 to £29,000 in 2024, which has rippled through 2025 and 2026 by pulling more financial documentation into spouse files (and therefore more translation pages). The Health and Care visa route was tightened in 2024–25, reducing some translation demand from that quarter.
The fundamental UKVI rule — certified translation with statement of accuracy, no notarisation needed — sits exactly where it sat last year.
Where can I find official UKVI guidance on translations?
Official UKVI guidance on translation requirements is published on GOV.UK within the specific visa category guidance documents. The general requirement for certified translations applies across all visa categories.
UKVI publishes guidance for each visa category on GOV.UK. The translation requirements are usually found in the 'supporting documents' section of each visa guidance document. The requirements are consistent across visa types.
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
Does the translator need to be based in the UK?
No. UKVI does not require translators to be UK-based. The translation must include translator credentials and contact details regardless of location.
Does UKVI specify particular translation accreditations?
No. UKVI does not mandate specific accreditations. However, the translator must demonstrate competence and provide their credentials.
Can I translate my own documents for UKVI?
No. UKVI requires translations by an independent professional translator, not the applicant or their family members.
What format should UKVI translations be in?
UKVI accepts certified translations in digital (PDF) format. The translation should mirror the format of the original document where possible.
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