Certified Translation UK · Para 39B
Sworn vs Certified Translation in the UK
The UK has no state 'sworn translator' register. UKVI, the Home Office, UK courts, and universities accept certified translations in the Para 39B format. Here is when 'sworn' matters and when it does not.
The Short Answer for the UK
The UK does not have a state 'sworn translator' system. The words 'sworn translation' and 'certified translation' get used interchangeably in everyday conversation in the UK, but only one of them describes what UKVI, the Home Office, UK courts, and UK universities actually accept, and it is the certified translation.
What UKVI needs is a translation that meets Immigration Rule Para 39B: a statement from the translator or translation company confirming the translation is accurate, the date, the translator's full name and signature (or an authorised official of the translation company), and contact details. Every certified translation we issue for UKVI, the Home Office, and other UK receiving bodies carries all four elements.
If someone in the UK tells you a document 'needs to be sworn', what they almost always mean is one of two things. Either the document is being sent out of the UK to a country whose authorities require a sworn translator from their own system (Spain, France, Poland, Germany, Italy). Or the document arrived in the UK already sworn abroad and they are asking what the UK authority expects on top of that. Both cases are handled below.
UKVI Para 39B: What Certified Actually Means
Immigration Rule Para 39B is the operational standard for translations submitted to UK Visas & Immigration. It applies to every immigration route: Skilled Worker, Student, Family, Spouse, Fiancé(e), Parent, ILR, British Citizenship, Homes for Ukraine, UPES, Visitor, Global Talent, and the Innovator route. Para 39B says the translation must include:
- Statement of Accuracy. A statement, in English, from the translator or translation company confirming that the translation is an accurate rendering of the original document.
- Date of translation. The date the translation was produced.
- Full name and signature. The full name of the translator (or an authorised official of the translation company) and their signature.
- Contact details. Sufficient contact information for the translator or company to be verified by UKVI if required.
Every Tatkowski certified translation for UK use carries all four elements. The certifying name we use is 'Tatkowski Certified Translator', with our UK contact details and the date. UKVI, the Home Office, GRO, HMRC, DBS, UK universities, UK ENIC, and regulated professional bodies accept this format.
What the UK does not require is that the translator be personally sworn in front of a court or listed on a Ministry of Justice register. There is no such register in the UK, and no route to being appointed to one. Anyone who tells you otherwise is confusing the UK with the continental European jurisdictions covered below.
Statement of Truth for UK Court Proceedings
UK civil courts operate under the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR). CPR 32.14 and Practice Direction 32 require a Statement of Truth on documents relied on as evidence. Where a translation is filed as evidence in a UK civil or family court, the translator sometimes attaches a Statement of Truth alongside the standard Statement of Accuracy.
A Statement of Truth is a specific declaration: 'I believe that the facts stated in this document are true. I understand that proceedings for contempt of court may be brought against anyone who makes, or causes to be made, a false statement in a document verified by a statement of truth without an honest belief in its truth.'
Statement of Truth wording is not required for UKVI, Home Office, or standard administrative submissions. It is added at the request of the receiving UK court, tribunal, or regulated body. We supply it when the receiving body asks for it, at no additional cost.
What 'Sworn' Means in Continental Europe
Five continental European jurisdictions have state-appointed sworn translators. If you are dealing with a document coming from one of them, or going to one of them, the sworn concept becomes real.
France — Traducteur Assermenté (Traducteur Expert)
A Traducteur Assermenté is registered with a Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel) after being appointed as a court expert. The translator's stamp and signature give the translation legal weight in French administrative and judicial proceedings. Any UK document going to French authorities (préfecture, tribunal, université, consulate) is typically expected in French through a Traducteur Assermenté. A UK certified translation is not accepted as a substitute for most French administrative uses.
Spain — Traductor Jurado
The Traductor Jurado is appointed by the Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (MAEC) after passing state examinations. The translator's stamp and signature make the translation an 'official' document in Spanish law. UK documents going to Spanish authorities (Extranjería, MAEC, Registro Civil, Ministerio de Educación, universities, notaries) are expected through a Traductor Jurado. Documents arriving in the UK from Spain that were translated by a Traductor Jurado are accepted at face value by UK authorities, sometimes with a certified UK-side annotation for the receiving body.
Poland — Tłumacz Przysięgły
The Tłumacz Przysięgły is registered with the Ministry of Justice (Ministerstwo Sprawiedliwości) after passing a state examination and being sworn in. The translation carries a unique registered number (numer w rejestrze) and a specific stamp. Polish authorities (USC, sąd, uniwersytet, notariusz, MSZ) require Przysięgły translations for administrative and judicial use. Polish documents arriving in the UK with a Przysięgły translation are accepted by UKVI without further formality.
Germany — Beeidigter or Vereidigter Übersetzer
Appointed by a state court (Oberlandesgericht). Each federal state (Bundesland) maintains its own register. The translation carries a specific certification formula and the translator's court-appointed stamp. German authorities (Bürgeramt, Amtsgericht, Universität, Standesamt) expect German translations through a beeidigter Übersetzer for administrative use.
Italy — Traduzione Giurata (Asseverazione)
Italy is structurally different from the other four. There is no state register of sworn translators as such. Instead, an ordinary translator produces the translation and then formally swears (asseverazione) before a judge, court officer, or notary at the local tribunale. The sworn oath, translator's signature, and the court or notarial stamp on the record book give the translation legal weight.
When the UK Accepts Certified, and When You Actually Need Sworn
Documents being submitted TO a UK authority
A certified translation in the Para 39B format is what UKVI, the Home Office, GRO, HMRC, DBS, UK ENIC, UK universities, the SRA, GMC, NMC, GDC, and standard UK employers accept. No sworn translator is needed. This covers Skilled Worker, Student, Family, Spouse, ILR, Citizenship, Homes for Ukraine, UPES, Visitor, and Global Talent routes; also GRO Certificates of No Impediment, DBS overseas checks, ENIC Statements of Comparability, and university admissions.
Documents going FROM the UK TO a continental European authority
Here the receiving country's rules apply. If the receiving country is Spain, France, Poland, or Germany, a sworn translator from that country's system is usually required. We can produce a certified UK translation and arrange sworn certification in the destination country through a partner sworn translator. Otherwise the document may not be accepted by the foreign authority even with an FCDO apostille attached.
Documents arriving in the UK that were already sworn abroad
A Polish Przysięgły translation, a Spanish Jurado translation, a French Assermenté translation, or a German beeidigter translation, arriving in the UK with the proper foreign stamp and apostille, is accepted by UK authorities. UKVI relies on the foreign sworn translation directly when the certification and apostille chain is in order. Where the foreign sworn translation is into the origin language (say, Spanish into Portuguese) and the document needs to work in the UK in English, we produce an additional Para 39B certified UK translation so the UK authority can act on it.
Documents heading to non-European destinations
Countries outside the Hague Convention (or where Hague is not sufficient) require embassy legalisation on the original and the translation. UAE, Egypt, Vietnam, and China each have specific legalisation chains. We flag which chain applies at quote time and price it at the actual embassy rate, with FCDO legalisation slotted in where needed.
How the FCDO Apostille Fits In
The Hague Apostille Convention of 1961 legalises the origin of a public document for use in another Convention country. It does two things:
- It confirms that the signature or stamp on the source public document is genuine and issued by an authorised body in the origin country.
- It removes the need for the destination-country embassy or consulate to legalise the document separately.
What Hague does not do is say anything about the translation. Whether the translation is certified in the UK or sworn in Spain is a matter for the receiving country's rules, not for the Hague Convention.
In the UK the FCDO Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes issues apostilles on UK public documents and on translations produced in the UK when a foreign authority asks for one. The standard service is currently GBP 45 per document at the published rate; Premium (same-day) and Business account services carry different rates. We pass the FCDO fee through at cost, with a fixed handling fee if you want us to lodge and collect on your behalf.
Non-Hague countries (or countries where a specific reservation applies) require full embassy legalisation. We quote per country because the fees and processing times vary widely.
Pricing
A page is 250 source words or one A4 side, whichever gives the lower count. UKVI Para 39B compliant on every document. B2B invoicing available on 30-day terms.
How to Order (Our Process)
Four steps from upload to certified translation delivered.
Send Us the Document
Upload a scan or photo, or WhatsApp us the file. Tell us the destination authority (UKVI, GRO, UK court, ENIC, university, foreign consulate). We identify at intake whether a certified UK translation is all you need, or whether a sworn translation in the destination country is required.
Fixed Quote, Then Payment
Quote shows page count, add-ons, FCDO apostille or embassy legalisation where relevant, and any sworn-translation liaison for a foreign destination. You pay by card or on B2B invoice. Order reference issued as TIR-UK-YYYY-NNNN.
Translation and Certification
Qualified translator produces the translation. Second reviewer checks names, dates, references, and legal terminology. Statement of Accuracy attached in the Para 39B format with translator name ('Tatkowski Certified Translator'), signature, contact details, and date. Statement of Truth appended where a UK court has asked for it.
Delivery
Certified PDF by email within 24 to 48 hours for standard orders. Hard copy by Royal Mail Tracked 24 the same day where ordered. FCDO apostille and embassy legalisation follow the government processing time and are tracked to delivery.
What Our Clients Say
"Confused whether my Polish diploma needed a sworn translation or a UKVI-certified one for a Skilled Worker application. Uploaded it, got a clear answer inside 15 minutes: certified UK Para 39B translation for UKVI, no sworn Przysięgły needed. Saved me from paying twice."
Client, Manchester — Skilled Worker route
"Sent a UK marriage certificate to a Spanish registro for a residence application. Tatkowski produced the UK certified translation with an FCDO apostille, and arranged a Traductor Jurado in Madrid for the Spanish-side sworn version. Bundle accepted."
Client, London N1 — Spanish residence
"Advised our team on a family court filing that needed a Statement of Truth alongside the Statement of Accuracy on a translated Ukrainian document. Wording supplied, no additional fee, filed on time."
Family law firm, Leeds
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the UK have sworn translators?
No. The UK does not maintain a state register of sworn translators the way France, Spain, Poland, Germany, or Italy do. UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), UK courts, the General Register Office, the Home Office, UK ENIC, UK universities, and regulated professional bodies (GMC, NMC, GDC, SRA) accept certified translations issued by a qualified translator or translation service, with a specific certification format. UKVI's Para 39B and the Home Office standard are the operational rule.
What does UKVI Para 39B actually require?
Immigration Rule Para 39B sets out the certification format for translations submitted to UKVI. Each translation must include (1) a statement from the translator or translation company confirming the translation is accurate, (2) the date of the translation, (3) the full name and signature of the translator or an authorised official of the translation company, and (4) contact details for the translator or company. A separate Statement of Truth is sometimes used in court proceedings. Every certified translation we issue for the UK carries these four elements with 'Tatkowski Certified Translator' as the certifying name, alongside our contact details and the date.
What is a Statement of Truth in translation context?
In UK court proceedings governed by the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR 32.14 and PD 32), a Statement of Truth is a declaration that the person believes the facts in a document to be true. Where a translation is being relied on as evidence, a Statement of Truth from the translator is sometimes attached to the Statement of Accuracy. It is not required for UKVI or Home Office administrative submissions, only for civil-court evidence and some regulated professional filings. We supply Statement of Truth wording when the receiving UK court or tribunal asks for it.
When do UK authorities accept a certified translation without more?
For UKVI applications (Skilled Worker, Student, Family, Spouse, ILR, Citizenship, Homes for Ukraine, UPES, Visitor), General Register Office marriage-in-UK filings, Home Office right-to-work checks, UK ENIC Statement of Comparability requests, UK university admissions, HMRC foreign-evidence submissions, and standard employer sponsor duties, a certified translation from a qualified translator in the Para 39B format is accepted. No sworn translation is needed. This covers 95%+ of UK-inbound work.
When is a sworn translation from abroad required?
Two typical situations. First, when the document originates in a country whose authorities produced it with a sworn translation attached, and the UK authority is willing to rely on that sworn translation without a UK-side annotation (rare, and usually only for administrative recognition). Second, when the document is going out of the UK to a continental European country whose authorities require a sworn translator from their own system (Spain, France, Poland, Germany, Italy). In the second case we produce a certified UK translation and arrange sworn certification in the destination country through a partner sworn translator.
What is a Traductor Jurado, Traducteur Assermenté, or Tłumacz Przysięgły?
These are state-appointed sworn translators in specific continental European jurisdictions. Spain's Traductor Jurado is appointed by MAEC. France's Traducteur Assermenté is registered with a Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel). Poland's Tłumacz Przysięgły is registered with the Ministry of Justice and carries a state-issued register number. Germany's beeidigter or vereidigter Übersetzer is appointed by a state court (Oberlandesgericht). Italy's traduzione giurata is produced by an ordinary translator and formally sworn (asseverazione) before a judge or notary at the local tribunale. All four systems give the sworn translator a state-conferred authority the UK has never adopted.
How does Apostille and the Hague Convention fit into UK use?
The Hague Apostille Convention of 1961 legalises the origin of a public document for use in another Convention country. It does not certify the translation itself. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Legalisation Office in Milton Keynes issues apostilles on UK public documents and on translations produced in the UK when the receiving country requires one. The FCDO standard service is currently GBP 45 per document (Premium service and Business account rates differ); we pass this through at cost with a fixed handling fee if you want us to arrange it. Non-Hague destinations require full embassy legalisation, which we quote per country.
Common misconceptions
Two we hear often. First, that UKVI 'requires a sworn translator': it does not, and never has. Para 39B is explicit about the certification format and does not require a state-appointed sworn translator. Second, that a foreign sworn translation (say, a Spanish Jurado or a Polish Przysięgły translation) is 'not accepted' by UK authorities: it is, and can be relied on as-is for administrative purposes with a UK-side certified annotation added where necessary for the receiving authority to act on the document.
Related UK Guidance
- Certified Translation UK — service overview
- UKVI Certified Translation — Para 39B format
- Certified Translation Cost UK — full pricing
- Polish Translation UK
- Ukrainian Translation UK
- Legal Translation UK
- Medical Translation UK
- Spouse Visa Translation
- Skilled Worker Visa Translation
- Student Visa Translation
- Certified Translation from Poland
- Certified Translation from Ukraine
