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What is a certified translation?
In the UK, an “official” or certified translation is a translation completed by a certified translator. To qualify as a certified translator in the UK, you must be a member of one of these professional organisations:
- the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)
- the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL)
Certified translations typically include:
- a signed statement from the translator certifying the truth and accuracy of the translation
- the contact details, credentials and signature of the translator
- both the original document and the translated version
In the UK, what do you need certified translations for?
You need certified English translations of foreign-language documents for:
- applying for a visa
- enrolling in a university
- registering a marriage or civil partnership
- submitting documents to a UK court
- proving qualifications for employment
- applying for citizenship or residency
- handling inheritance or probate matters
- exchanging a foreign driving licence
- making an international adoption application
- submitting medical records for ongoing care
- buying or selling property abroad
- setting up a UK bank account or applying for a mortgage
Not sure if you need a certified Spanish or translation? Contact the agency handling your application or request for clarification.
What type of documents require certified translations?
Documents often requiring Spanish-to-English certified translations for UK procedures and applications include:
- certificado de nacimiento (birth certificate)
- certificado de matrimonio (marriage certificate)
- libro de familia (family records book)
- sentencia de divorcio (divorce decree)
- título universitario (university degree certificate)
- certificado académico (academic transcript)
- certificado de antecedentes penales (criminal record certificate)
- permiso de conducir (driving licence)
- pasaporte (passport)
- testamento (will)
- certificado de defunción (death certificate)
- poder notarial (power of attorney)
- contrato de compraventa (sales contract)
- historial médico (medical record)
- certificado de vacunación (vaccination certificate)
- documentos judiciales (court documents)
- certificado de adopción (adoption certificate)
- contratos laborales (employment contracts)
Why hire with me?
I provide fast, hassle-free certified Spanish-and-Catalan-into English translations.
My qualifications include:
- 17 years’ experience as a legal translator
- membership in the UK’s Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIoL)
- membership of the UK’s Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI)
I’m also a member of two professional translation associations in Spain:
- Mediterranean Editors and Translators (MET)
- Asociación Profesional de Traductores e Intérpretes de Cataluña (APTIC)
What format does your certified Spanish- or Catalan-to-English translation need to be in?
Digital or paper formats are both acceptable, as long as they include:
- the translator’s contact details and credentials
- a signed statement of accuracy
How will you get your certified translation from me?
I will send you a signed PDF that includes:
- a letter with my details and a statement confirming that the translation is true and accurate
- the original document in Spanish or Catalan
- the certified English translation
What about Spanish-to-English certified translations for other countries?
Some agencies in English-speaking countries, such as Canada and the US, accept certified English translations from professional translators based in other countries (e.g., the UK). Even some agencies in non-English-speaking countries (e.g., Norway) accept certified English translations from professional translators abroad.
To ensure a translation from a UK-certified translator will be valid for your application, please check with the agency handling your submission. If it is, don’t hesitate to contact me for a quote.
What do you need to send to me to get your certified translation?
Please send me a clear digital copy of the document in Spanish or Catalan you need translated. This could be:
- a complete scan or photo of each page where all text is legible
- an original document in PDF or Word format
How long will it take?
Typically, I can deliver your Spanish- or Catalan-to-English translation within one or two business days, depending on my workload.
How much will it cost?
For a free, no-obligation quote, email or text me the document. I’ll reply with a price and turnaround time as soon as possible.
What do I do now?
Simply send me an email or text with the document you need translated. I will respond promptly with a quote.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch.