When Do You Need Translation + Apostille?
When a UK document needs to be used in a country where English is not the official language, you will often need both an apostille and a certified translation. The apostille confirms the document is genuine; the translation makes it readable by local authorities.
Common situations where you need both include:
Getting Married Abroad
Your UK birth certificate and certificate of no impediment (CNI) need apostille and translation for the local civil registry office.
Buying Property
Powers of attorney, company documents, and proof of funds for property purchases in Spain, France, Italy, or Portugal.
Studying Overseas
UK degree certificates and transcripts for university enrolment in Germany, France, Spain, or other non-English-speaking countries.
Working Abroad
Employment references, professional qualifications, and police certificates for work visas and employer registration in non-English-speaking countries.
Visa and Residency Applications
Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and other civil status documents for residency permits and visa applications.
✅ Not Always Needed
Some countries and institutions accept English-language documents with an apostille and do not require translation. This is common in countries with strong English usage (e.g., India, many African countries) or specific international institutions. Always check with the receiving authority before paying for a translation you may not need.
Which Comes First — Translation or Apostille?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions, and getting the order wrong can cost you time and money.
The Correct Order
Apostille the ORIGINAL
FCDO apostille on the original UK document
Translate the APOSTILLED document
Including the apostille certificate
❌ Why Not Translate First?
The FCDO apostilles original UK documents — not translations. If you translate a document first and then want the translation apostilled, the translation becomes a separate private document that needs its own solicitor certification (£120) before the FCDO will apostille it. This means you end up paying for two apostilles instead of one.
By apostilling the original first and then translating the apostilled document (including the apostille certificate itself), you only need one apostille and the translation covers everything in a single package.
⚠️ Exception
Some countries specifically require both the original document and its translation to be separately apostilled. In these cases, the translation is done by a UK translator, certified by a solicitor (£120), and then apostilled as a separate document. This is less common but does happen. Check with the receiving authority first.
Types of Translation
Not all translations are created equal. Different countries and authorities require different types of translation, and using the wrong type can result in your documents being rejected.
📄 Certified Translation
The translator provides a signed declaration confirming the translation is a true and accurate rendering of the original document. The translator includes their qualifications, contact details, and the date. This is the standard type of translation in the UK.
Accepted by: Most English-speaking countries, many international institutions, and some non-English-speaking countries.
⚖️ Sworn Translation
Performed by a translator who has been officially appointed or registered by a court or government authority in the destination country. The translator has a unique registration number and an official seal or stamp. Sworn translations carry greater legal weight than certified translations.
Required by: France (traducteur assermenté), Spain (traducción jurada), Italy (traduzione giurata), Germany (beglaubigte Übersetzung), and most EU countries for official documents.
📝 Notarised Translation
A certified translation that has been signed in the presence of a notary public, who then attaches their own certificate confirming the translator's identity and signature. This adds another layer of authentication above a standard certified translation.
Required by: Some countries for specific document types, particularly for legal and court documents. Less common than sworn translation requirements.
Key Distinction: In the UK, there is no government register of "sworn translators" — the concept is specific to civil law countries like France, Spain, and Italy. When these countries require a "sworn translation," they typically mean a translation done by a translator registered with their courts, not a UK translator. This is an important detail to get right.
Country Requirements
Each country has its own rules about what type of translation it accepts. Here are the requirements for the most popular destination countries for UK documents.
France
France requires a sworn translation (traduction assermentée) by a traducteur assermenté — a translator registered with a French Court of Appeal. The translator must have a French registration number and stamp. Standard UK certified translations are generally not accepted for official purposes in France.
Process: Apostille original → sworn translation by French-registered translator
Spain
Spain requires a sworn translation (traducción jurada) by a translator appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The translator must be a traductor-intérprete jurado with an official ministry registration number and seal.
Process: Apostille original → sworn translation by Spanish-appointed translator
Germany
Germany requires a certified translation (beglaubigte Übersetzung) by a translator publicly appointed and sworn by a German Regional Court (Landgericht). The translator must include their official stamp and registration details.
Process: Apostille original → certified translation by German court-sworn translator
Italy
Italy requires a sworn translation (traduzione giurata). The translator must swear before an Italian court (Tribunale) that the translation is faithful and accurate. The court then stamps the translation. Some Italian consulates abroad can also certify translations.
Process: Apostille original → sworn translation validated by Italian court or consulate
UAE
The UAE requires documents to be translated into Arabic by a translation office registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice. The translation is typically done in the UAE after the document arrives with its apostille and embassy attestation. Some UK-based Arabic translators can also provide acceptable translations.
Process: Apostille original → embassy attestation → Arabic translation (usually in-country)
Can the Translation Be Apostilled?
Yes — a translation can be apostilled, but it requires an additional step. Since a translation is a private document, it cannot go directly to the FCDO. It must first be certified by a UK solicitor.
📋 How It Works
UK Translator Completes the Translation
A UK-based translator produces the certified translation and signs a declaration of accuracy.
Solicitor Certification
A UK solicitor certifies that the translation is a true and accurate translation of the original document. The solicitor signs and stamps the translation.
FCDO Apostille
The FCDO apostilles the solicitor's certification on the translation, just as it would for any other solicitor-certified private document.
💡 Cost: £120
Apostilling a translation costs £120 (solicitor certification + FCDO apostille). This is in addition to the translation fee itself and the apostille on the original document. Not all countries require the translation to be separately apostilled — many accept an un-apostilled certified translation alongside the apostilled original. Check before paying for a second apostille.
❓ Do You Need to Apostille the Translation?
Not always. Many countries accept an apostilled original accompanied by a certified or sworn translation that is not separately apostilled. The apostille on the original proves the document is genuine, and the translation simply makes it readable.
Countries that may require the translation to be separately apostilled include some Middle Eastern countries and certain institutions in South America. Always check the specific requirements of the receiving authority before ordering.
How We Can Help
LegaliseNow partners with certified and sworn translators covering all major languages. We can arrange your apostille and translation as a single package, saving you the hassle of coordinating between different providers.
Single Point of Contact
You deal with one provider for everything — apostille, solicitor certification, and translation. No coordinating between separate services.
Correct Order Guaranteed
We manage the sequence — apostille first, then translation — so the process is done correctly from the start. No costly mistakes.
Country-Specific Advice
We know which countries need sworn translations, which accept certified translations, and which require the translation to be separately apostilled. We advise you before you pay.
Wide Language Coverage
Our translation partners cover Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, and many more languages. All translators are qualified and experienced with legal and official documents.
📞 Get a Combined Quote
Contact us for a single quote covering apostille + translation for your specific documents and destination country. Call 0203 916 6250 or email info@legalisenow.com with details of your documents and where they are going.
Costs
The total cost of apostille plus translation depends on the document type, the language, and whether the translation itself needs to be apostilled.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Apostille (without solicitor) | £90 |
| Apostille (with solicitor certification) | £120 |
| Certified translation | Varies by language & length |
| Translation apostille (if required) | £120 |
| Embassy attestation (if required) | From £150 |
Translation costs vary depending on the language (common European languages tend to cost less than rarer languages), the length of the document (a birth certificate is shorter than a power of attorney), and whether a sworn translator is required (sworn translations cost more than standard certified translations).
✅ Package Pricing
We offer combined apostille + translation packages at competitive rates. By handling everything in-house through our translator network, we can often offer better value than sourcing apostille and translation separately. Contact us for a bespoke quote.