30 Years of Trusted Certified Translation Services
As an Accredited Member of the Association of Translation Companies (ATC), Business Language Services has been providing certified translation services for over 30 years. We regularly translate all kinds of certificates and legal documents requiring certification and offer all four main types of certification available in the UK.
As one of the leading translation companies in Wales, Business Language Services has over 30 years of experience in providing certified translations. We can help you with every step of the process to ensure that your translation meets the legal requirements of the country and purpose for which you need it.
Certified translations in just four simple steps!
Quick, Simple and Reliable: Certified Translations Made Easy
Our certified translation services are designed to make the entire process – from getting a quote to delivering high-quality translations – as simple and seamless as possible:
Submit Documents
Send us a scan or photograph of your certificate(s), either by email or via the online quote form.
Project Assigned
A project manager oversees your translation from start to finish, starting with a certification consultation.
Quote Preparation
We analyse the document(s), determine the word count, and prepare a quote for cost and turnaround time.
Approve & Pay
If you are happy with the quote, you make your payment. We then get your translation underway.
What is certified translation and why is it needed?
Certified Translation is the process of translating a certificate or other legal document and proving to the organisation receiving it that the translation is accurate.
Documents requiring certified translation are almost always for official, legal procedures, so accuracy is of utmost importance. By certifying a translation, the translator provides a legally binding guarantee that:
- The translator is sufficiently qualified and experienced
- The translation is a true and accurate representation of the original document
- The translated document may be legally relied upon
Only an accredited linguist or translation company can certify a translation, as this requires a stamp from a recognised translation industry body. The three such bodies in the UK are the Association of Translation Companies (ATC), the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), and the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), all of whom endorse each other’s certification procedures and guidelines.
Business Language Services is an Accredited Member of the Association of Translation Companies (ATC), so you will see our ATC stamp on any certified translation we provide (except ‘sworn’ translations, due to their specific requirements). This stamp is your seal of quality and accuracy and is recognised by all major institutions.
Certified translations from £66!
Exact certification requirements depend on the type of document, the language/country, and the receiving organisation.
Our expert project managers are always happy to advise you on the level of certification you might need.
Certified translation
Certified Translation is the standard level of certification needed for any translation for legal purposes. The translation includes our ATC stamp and a verification letter, signed by a project manager or translator, certifying its accuracy. Certified Translation involves:
- Translation by a native-speaking professional
- Editing by a second experienced linguist
- Proofreading and formatting checks by your project manager
- Certification using our ATC stamp and verification letter
- Delivery of scanned copy by email, hard copy via first-class post to your UK address
Notarised translation
Notarisation provides an extra level of guarantee on top of our standard certification. Notarisation is often required for government, legal submissions, and sometimes for job or education applications. Notarised Translation involves:
- Translation by a native-speaking professional
- Editing by a second experienced linguist
- Proofreading and formatting checks by your project manager
- Certification using our ATC stamp and verification letter
- Notarisation by our trusted Notary Public
- Delivery of scanned copy by email, hard copy via first-class post to your UK address
Legalised/Apostilled translation
Legalisation (also known as apostille) is the highest level of certification typically available in the UK. Legalisation (apostille) is normally required if you plan to use your documents outside the UK in countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention. Legalised (Apostilled) Translation involves:
- Translation by a native-speaking professional
- Editing by a second experienced linguist
- Proofreading and formatting checks by your project manager
- Certification using our ATC stamp and verification letter
- Notarisation by our trusted Notary Public
- Legalisation by the FCDO
- Delivery of scanned copy by email, hard copy via first-class post to your UK address
Sworn (in-country)
Although the concept of ‘sworn’ translation does not officially exist in the UK, many other countries may require the translation to be completed by a ‘sworn’ translator.
‘Sworn’ translation is only needed in countries where the concept exists and when specifically requested by the organisation to which you are submitting the translation. ‘Sworn’ Translation involves:
- Translation by a native-speaking professional
- ‘Swearing’ of the translation in front of a solicitor, if applicable in that jurisdiction
- Delivery of scanned copy by email, hard copy via first-class post to your UK address
Every project is unique, so the above prices are estimates only. In order to provide an accurate quote for the cost and turnaround time for your translation, we will need to analyse your document(s).
We provide language services for nearly every language
We have expert linguists for just about all languages used today – from Arabic to Zulu, and everything in between.
Our top 10 most requested languages for certified translations are:
How long does certified translation take?
Standard Certified Translation of a one-page certificate typically takes around a full working day to translate, edit, proofread and certify, so you can expect to receive the translation 2 working days after we receive the source file.
If Notarisation is needed, this usually adds an extra working day on top of the standard certification timeline, so notarised translations are generally completed in a total of 2–3 working days.
Legalisation (apostille) takes longer still, as this requires paper copies to be posted to the FCDO. This generally adds around a week to the turnaround time after the translation is completed. It is possible to get your translations legalised independently, but our express service is significantly quicker.