How to Photograph Your Documents for a Certified Translation

You do not need a scanner or an office to get your documents translated. A clear photo from your phone is usually enough. But a dark, blurred or cut-off photo can slow everything down, because the translator cannot translate what they cannot read. This guide shows you how to photograph your documents properly in a few minutes, so your certified translation is complete the first time.

Why a clear photo matters

A certified translation must be a full and accurate translation of the original document. That means every word, number, stamp and handwritten note, not just the main text. If part of the page is missing from your photo, it will be missing from the translation as well.

This matters most for documents that support your asylum claim evidence. Names, dates of birth and registration numbers must match across all your papers. A single unclear digit can create a difference between two documents that a caseworker may notice.

What you need before you start

Gather everything before you begin. It takes less time than going back for one missing page.

• The original documents, not old photocopies, if you have them.
• A phone with a working camera. Wipe the lens with a soft cloth first; a greasy lens makes every photo look blurred.
• A flat surface and good light, ideally near a window during the day.
• The spelling of your name as it appears on your Home Office papers, so we can match it in the translation.

How to photograph your documents, step by step

Follow these seven steps for each page. After the first document, it becomes quick.

1. 1

   Put the document on a flat, dark surface

   A dark table or a plain dark cloth makes the edges of a light page easy to see. Smooth out folds gently with your hand. Do not hold the page in the air, because it bends and the text near the edges becomes hard to read.

2. 2

   Use daylight, not the flash

   Stand near a window during the day. The flash often creates a bright white spot that hides stamps and signatures. If you must take the photo at night, switch on two lights on either side of the document instead of one light above it.

3. 3

   Hold the phone straight above the page

   Keep the phone parallel to the document, not at an angle. A photo taken from the side makes the lines at the far end smaller and harder to read. Most phones show a small level or grid on the camera screen; turn it on if you can.

4. 4

   Fit the whole page in the frame

   Every corner of the page should be visible, with a small border around it. Stamps, page numbers and notes are often written at the very edge or in the margin, and a caseworker may need them.

5. 5

   Tap to focus, then check the photo

   Tap the middle of the text on your screen before you take the photo. Then zoom in on the photo you took. If you cannot read the small print yourself, take it again.

6. 6

   Photograph both sides and every page

   Take a photo of the back of every page, even if it looks almost empty. Backs of ID cards, certificates and court papers often carry stamps, registration numbers or a short note that must be translated too.

7. 7

   Keep the pages in order

   Take the photos in the same order as the pages of the document. If you are sending several documents, finish one document before you start the next.

ID cards and laminated documents

Plastic cards and laminated pages reflect light. Turn off the flash and tilt the card slightly until the shine disappears from the text. Photograph the front and the back. This applies to documents such as a Tazkira, a CNIC or an Iraqi ID card.

Books, booklets and bound records

For a booklet such as a family book, photograph each open double page, then each single page that has writing on it. Press the middle gently so the text near the fold is not hidden. Include the cover if it carries a name, number or stamp.

Common photo problems and quick fixes

Most problems have a simple fix. Check your photos against this table before you send them.

Photos or scans: which is better?

Both work. A good scan is usually sharper, but a careful phone photo is fine for most documents. Many phones also have a built-in document scanner that straightens the page and saves it as a PDF, for example in the Notes app on an iPhone or the Google Drive app on Android.

If you use a scanning app, check that it has not cut off the edges of the page or turned the stamps into grey shapes. When in doubt, send a normal photo as well.

Tip: send one photo per page, in the original page order. Avoid collages or screenshots of photos; they reduce the quality and can hide the edges.

Damaged, faded or handwritten documents

Older documents are often folded, faded or written by hand. That is normal, and we translate them every day. Photograph them exactly as they are, and take an extra close-up of any part that is hard to read, such as a faded stamp or a handwritten line in the margin.

We never guess. Where a word cannot be read even on the original, the translation says so clearly, for example:

"Place of issue: [round stamp, partly illegible] district office, Kabul province"

This is common with police reports, court papers and handwritten letters. Showing exactly what the document says, including what cannot be read, helps your solicitor or caseworker see the real document.

Sending your photos safely

You can send your photos in the way that is easiest for you:

• Upload: use the secure upload on our hire a translator page. You can add photos, PDF or Word files.
• WhatsApp: send the photos to +44 7482 545337 with a short note about the deadline.
• Email: attach the files to an email to info@asylumdocumenttranslations.co.uk.

What happens after you send them

Once we have your photos, the process is simple. If your hearing or interview is close, tell us the date; our urgent document translation service can deliver the same day or within 24 hours.

Certified translation starts from £18 per page, and from £15 for an ID card or single certificate. Prices shown are starting prices and include VAT; we confirm your exact price in a written quote. See all translation prices.

Published 2 October 2026. This guide explains our translation service and is not legal advice. For advice on your case, speak to a solicitor or a regulated immigration adviser.