Certified Translation for the UK: Requirements
We provide certified translations that meet UK requirements. Our nationally certified translators (ITBM, DBP and MTA) include the declaration UK authorities ask for, and our Notaries Public can notarise translations. Send your document on WhatsApp for a quote.
1. Procedure
1.1 All documents not in English or Welsh must be translated into English or Welsh [1].
1.2 The UK requests the certified translator to declare or state the following in writing:
(i) that s/he is a professional person or someone ‘of good standing’;
(ii) that s/he is not personally related to the person requesting the translation;
(iii) that the translation is a ‘true and accurate translation of the original document’;
(iv) the date of the translation; and
(v) his/her full name and contact details [2].
1.3 A translation can also be certified by a Notary Public [3], provided all details in Section 1.2 are provided.
1.4 MYLegalTrans’ team consists of nationally certified translators (ITBM, DBP and MTA), as well as Notaries Public.
Certification by a nationally certified translator is recommended as it is the most affordable and efficient.
2. FAQs
2.1 What does Certified Translation mean? How is it different from non-certified translation?
In the UK, certified translations are stamped and/or signed by a professional translator or translation company accredited by the relevant professional body, such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), or the Association of Translation Companies (ATC) [4].
For documents issued in Malaysia, the UK government also accepts Certified Translation provided by one of the following Malaysian statutory organisations:
(i) Institut Terjemahan & Buku Malaysia (ITBM)
(ii) Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP)
(iii) Malaysian Translators Association (MTA)
(iv) Malaysian High Court interpreters
For background on each body, and on which translators other authorities accept, see Who can certify a translation in Malaysia?
A translation is considered certified when it is registered with CIOL, ITI, ATC, ITBM, DBP, MTA the Malaysian High Court or the Notary Public.
2.2 Why does Certified Translation take so long even for documents with just a few words?
Each certified translation goes through five steps: text extraction and formatting, translation, a first review, layout that mirrors the original, and a final review before it is signed and stamped. Each step is done or checked by a qualified translator, so even a one-page document takes time. For urgent documents, see our same-day certified translation service in Kuala Lumpur.
2.3 Can I submit a softcopy or photocopy of the Certified Translation to the British authorities?
Yes. Most British authorities accept Certified Translation in softcopy.
Resources:
[1] UK Government. (n.d.). Certifying a document. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/certifying-a-document.
[2] UK Government. (n.d.). Certifying a document. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/certifying-a-document.
[3] Vol. 31, Halsbury’s Statutes of England and Wales (4th Edition), Butterworth & Co. (1987).
[4] Association of Translation Companies, Chartered Institute of Linguists, & Institute of Translation and Interpreting. (2024). Getting it right: Certified translation. https://atc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/ATC-CIOL-ITI-Getting-it-Right-Certified-Translation-2024.pdf.
[5] OIC Today. (n.d.). An interview with Sakri Bin Abdullah: Chief Executive Officer of ITBM. https://www.oictoday.biz/interview-details.php?id=517/an-interview-with-sakri-bin-abdullah-sakri-bin-abdullah.
[6] Section 4, the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Act 1959 (Revised in 1978). https://lamanweb.dbp.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Akta-213-Akta-Dewan-Bahasa-dan-Pustaka-Disemak-1973.pdf
[7] International Federation of Translators. (n.d.). Members directory: Malaysia. https://en.fit-ift.org/members-directory/?country=MY.
[8] UNESCO Archives. (n.d.). International Federation of Translators. https://atom.archives.unesco.org/international-federation-of-translators.
[9] Kuala Lumpur Court Complex. (n.d.). Practising certificates unit. https://kl.kehakiman.gov.my/en/practicing-certificates-unit
[10] Section 4, Notaries Public Act 1959.