Notarised Translation for Refugees and Asylum Documents

Certified or notarised: what the Home Office needs

Many people ask us: do I need a notarised translation for Home Office applications? For asylum claims, appeals and most refugee applications, the answer is no.

What a certified translation is

A certified translation is a translation that the translator or translation company signs to confirm it is accurate. The GOV.UK page Certifying a document (opens in a new tab) says the translator should confirm in writing on the translation:

• that it is a "true and accurate translation of the original document"
• the date of the translation
• their full name and contact details

The Immigration Rules (paragraph 39B(f)) also ask for the translator's signature. For leave to remain and ILR applications, the translation must be certified by a qualified translator, with details of their credentials. The rules do not mention notarisation.

HM Passport Office takes the same approach. GOV.UK says: "If your documents are not in English or Welsh, you need to send a certified translation." The First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) needs an English translation of any document not in English, but does not require it to be notarised.

What a notarised translation is

A notarised translation goes one step further. The translator signs a declaration of accuracy in front of a notary public. The notary is a qualified lawyer who confirms the translator's identity and adds their own signature and seal. The notary does not check the translation itself.

Certified vs notarised translation UK: a quick comparison

Our honest advice: you probably do not need notarisation. Please do not pay for it unless an organisation has asked you for it in writing. If your solicitor or adviser asks for it, follow their advice.

When refugees need a notarised translation

Some organisations outside the UK asylum system set their own rules. These are the situations where refugees most often need notarisation.

Embassies in the UK

You may need a notarised translation for embassy applications, for example to register a birth, confirm a marriage or request a document. Each embassy has its own rules, and these change. Always check what the embassy asks for before you order. Refugees should also think carefully, and speak to their adviser, before contacting the embassy of the country they fled.

Using documents abroad

If a UK document will be used in another country, the authority there may ask for a notarised translation, sometimes with an apostille as well. This can happen with property, inheritance or family matters in a third country.

Family members applying from abroad

Family members outside the UK sometimes need a notary translation for family reunion abroad, for example when a third country or an overseas office asks for one. New refugee family reunion applications have been paused since 4 September 2025, and in March 2026 the Home Office said the route "remains paused". Please check GOV.UK for the latest position. Our refugee family reunion document translation page explains which documents are usually needed for family applications.

Banks and UK courts

Some banks ask for a notarised translation when you open an account or deal with money held abroad. Some UK courts and solicitors in family or civil cases may also ask for one. The organisation's own instructions always come first.

How our notarised translation works

We do the translation and arrange the notary, so you only deal with us.

1. Upload. Send clear photos of your documents and a copy of the request for notarisation, if you have one.
2. Quote. We send one fixed price that covers the translation and the notary fee.
3. Translation. A UK-based, native-speaker translator translates the full document, including stamps, seals and handwriting. We never use machine translation for certified work.
4. Check. A second linguist checks names, dates and numbers against the original.
5. Notarisation. Our translator signs a declaration of accuracy in front of a UK notary public. The notary adds their signature and seal.
6. Delivery. We post the signed original to you by Royal Mail tracked post. We also email you a scanned copy.

We are members of the ITI, CIOL and ATC, and we work to ISO-certified quality processes.

Documents we often notarise

Birth and marriage records are the most common. See birth certificate translation for asylum and marriage certificate translation for family reunion for how we translate these, including Nikah Namas and Solar Hijri dates.

Notarised translation price and time

A notarised translation costs the certified translation price plus a notarisation fee.

Prices shown are starting prices and include VAT. We confirm your exact price in a written quote before any work starts.

Notarisation usually adds 1 working day, because the translator must sign in front of the notary in person. If your deadline is close, tell us when you upload. See all our asylum document translation prices, or get a fixed notarised translation quote.

Certified true copies, statutory declarations and apostilles

A notary can do more than notarise translations. These related services are useful for refugees.

Certified true copies

Sometimes an organisation needs a copy of your original document, not the original itself. A certified true copy service for refugees lets a solicitor or notary confirm the copy matches the original. You keep your original safe.

Statutory declarations

Names from Arabic, Farsi or Urdu script can be spelled in English in different ways. Your date of birth may also differ between documents. A statutory declaration for name spelling is a formal written statement that explains these differences.

Apostilles

An apostille is a certificate from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) that confirms a UK signature or seal is genuine. It is often needed when a UK document is used abroad. See our apostille translation service.