Translation of apostilled documents and preparation of translations for apostille legalisation.
Apostilles are about authenticating UK documents for use abroad — the FCDO stamp that lets a UK birth certificate, marriage certificate, or degree be recognised by authorities in Hague Convention countries. We don't issue the apostille itself (that's an FCDO process), but we do translate the underlying document and the apostille certificate, which is what most overseas authorities want as a single bundle.
An apostille is a certificate issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) that authenticates a UK document for use abroad. You may need an apostille when submitting UK documents to authorities in Hague Convention countries.
An apostille — sometimes called a Hague Apostille — is the international system for authenticating documents across borders. It says, in effect: 'this UK-issued document is genuine, and the signatures and stamps on it are valid.' Most countries that signed the 1961 Hague Convention accept it. A smaller group outside the Convention require full legalisation instead.
The usual triggers are international: getting married abroad and needing your UK birth certificate recognised, taking a UK degree to a non-English-speaking employer, or buying property in another jurisdiction. The FCDO handles the apostille certificate (currently £75 per document). We handle the translation of both.
If you are submitting an apostilled UK document to authorities in a non-English-speaking country, you will likely need a certified translation of both the document and the apostille certificate. We translate both.
Almost always, yes. The apostille is itself a UK document in English, so when you're submitting it to authorities in a non-English-speaking country, both the underlying document and the apostille need translating into the destination language. We bundle both in one order.
The reverse case also comes up: a foreign apostilled document — say, a French marriage certificate with an apostille from the French foreign ministry — needs translating into English for UK use. Same workflow, different direction.
Translation of apostilled documents costs from £12.99 per page, the same as our standard certified translation rate. The apostille certificate itself is usually 1 additional page to translate.
Apostille-related translation is £12.99 per page, the same flat rate as the rest of our service. Most apostille bundles run to two pages — the underlying document plus the FCDO certificate — so total translation cost is usually £25.98.
The £75 FCDO apostille fee is separate and goes directly to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. We can point you at the right FCDO route (standard, premium, or in-person) but we don't handle FCDO submissions ourselves.
No. UKVI does not require apostilles for visa applications. You only need a certified translation of your documents. Apostilles are for UK documents being used abroad, not foreign documents being used in the UK.
We provide translation services and can advise on the apostille process, but we do not handle FCDO submissions directly. The FCDO charges £75 per document for standard apostille service.
The translation portion takes 24 business hours (standard) or same-day (rush). The FCDO apostille process itself takes 2–4 weeks for standard service or next-day for premium service.
All countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention accept apostilled documents. This includes most of Europe, the Americas, and many countries in Asia and Africa. Countries not in the convention may require full legalisation instead.
UKVI-accepted certified translations from £12.99 per page. Statement of accuracy included. 24-hour delivery.
Trusted by over 150,000 clients across the UK. Statement of accuracy, translator credentials and digital delivery — all included from £12.99 per page.
Important: UKVI does NOT require notarised translations. Learn when you need notarisation and when certified translation is sufficient.
Certified legal translation for UK courts, solicitors, and immigration tribunals — from £14.99 per page with statement of accuracy.
Certified medical translation for patient records, clinical reports, and GMC / NMC / GDC registration — from £14.99 per page.
All the documents you need translated for your UK visa, certified and UKVI-accepted.