Certified translation for immigration: UK, USA and Canada

Immigration applications often include documents in another language: birth and marriage certificates, police certificates, diplomas, bank statements. When they do, the application usually needs a translation that the immigration office will read alongside the original.

The UK, the United States and Canada all handle this a little differently. This article describes what is usually expected in each. It is a guide, not legal advice. The immigration office decides what it accepts, and its rules can change, so always check the current guidance for your application.

United Kingdom

For the UK, a standard certified translation is usually what is needed. The translator or translation agency adds a signed statement of accuracy. The statement includes the translator's full name, contact details and the date.

The translator does not need to be sworn. Typical receivers are the Home Office (UKVI), courts, universities and employers. Read more on our page about certified translation for the UK.

United States

For USCIS, the translation usually comes with a signed statement from the translator. The statement says the translator is competent in both languages and that the translation is complete and accurate.

No accreditation is required for this. Other US offices, such as courts or universities, may have their own rules, so check with them if your document is going somewhere other than USCIS. See our page about certified translation for the United States.

Canada

For Canadian authorities, the translation is usually made by a certified translator who is a member of CTTIC. Typical receivers are IRCC and universities.

Because the translator's membership matters here, choose Canada as the country of use when you order, so the options match. See our page about certified translation for Canada.

Documents that often come up

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates and divorce papers
• Police and criminal record certificates
• Diplomas and transcripts
• Passports and ID documents
• Bank statements
• Court documents

Translate the whole document, including stamps, seals, handwritten notes and the back page if it has text. Immigration offices often expect a full translation, not a summary.

Practical tips before you order

• Check the current guidance for your application type. Requirements can differ between visa routes.
• Use a clear scan or photo of the whole document. The original is usually not needed for the translation.
• Make sure names are spelled the same way as in your passport. You can add a note for the translator about spelling.
• Leave enough time. You can choose standard, priority or urgent delivery, and the calculator shows the estimated delivery date.
• Keep the PDF with the signed certification page together with a copy of the original.

Does the original need an apostille?

Sometimes. An apostille authenticates the original public document and is separate from the translation. Whether you need one depends on the receiving office and the country. Our article on whether the translation comes before or after the apostille explains how to check the order.

If you do need an apostille or a notarised copy, you can book a notary meeting online. Our guides on residency applications and citizenship applications cover the document side.

Other countries

Moving somewhere else? Australia usually expects a NAATI-accredited translator, and Ireland usually accepts a standard certified translation. Our country guide covers 13 countries in one place.

Translations for family members

If you are applying with a partner or children, each person's documents may need their own translation. A marriage certificate, children's birth certificates and each adult's police certificate are common examples. Plan the full set at the start, so you can order everything together and keep the spelling of names consistent across all of them.

It also helps to make a simple list: document, language, whose document it is, and whether the original needs an apostille. Share the list with anyone helping you with the application. This makes it easier to spot a missing page or a document that was translated into the wrong language.

If the office asks for more

Occasionally an immigration office comes back and asks for something extra, such as a different form of certification or a translation of a page that was left out. If that happens, read the request carefully and order exactly what it describes. Keep the original translation too, in case the office wants to see both.

Next step

Open the translations calculator, choose the United Kingdom, the United States or Canada as the country of use, pick your languages and upload your document.