CERTIFIED TRANSLATION
I provide certified translations from Czech to English, English to Czech and Slovak to English for clients worldwide. I supply certified translations for the purposes of all major UK authorities such as HM Passport Office, UKVI, HMRC, SIA, NHS, DVLA, UK courts, register offices, banks, universities and many more.
My translations are accredited by the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL), the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and the Association of Translation Companies (ATC), and are recognised by all British authorities.
I also offer certified translations from English into Czech intended for the Czech Embassy in London and the General Consulate in Manchester. I am registered on the Czech Embassy’s list of translators.
CZECH ➜ ENGLISH
CERTIFIED TRANSLATION
Certified translations from Czech to English for official purposes (HM Passport Office, UKVI, DVLA, Courts, Register Offices and more)
ENGLISH ➜ CZECH
CERTIFIED TRANSLATION
Official translations from English into Czech for the purposes of the Czech Embassy in London and Consulate General in Manchester
SLOVAK ➜ ENGLISH
CERTIFIED TRANSLATION
Certified translations from Slovak to English for official purposes (HM Passport Office, UKVI, DVLA, Courts, Register Offices and more)
- Full member of the Chartered Institute of Linguists
- Accredited provider of certified translations into Czech and English
- Registered on the Czech Embassy's list of official translators
CERTIFIED TRANSLATION FAQ
What does a certified translation look like?
A certified translation includes a translator’s statement (either on a separate page or at the bottom of the translation itself), which says that the translation is a true, accurate and complete translation of the original document. It is signed by the translator, stamped, dated and contains details of the translator’s qualifications and their contact details such as address, email, etc. This is a generally accepted standard in the United Kingdom. Binding the translation to the original document using a tricolour ribbon, as is done in the Czech Republic, is not recognised in the UK.
Does certified translation have a stamp?
Certified translation for the purposes of British authorities does not necessarily have to have a stamp but it is advised. All my certified translations are stamped, signed, dated and include a translator’s statement of accuracy.
Does certified translation have to be attached to the original document?
Unlike in the Czech Republic, it is not necessary in the United Kingdom to physically bind a translation to the original document. Most British authorities simply require that the certified translation be submitted together with the original document, but the two do not need to be attached.
For many modern processes — such as uploading translations to online applications or government web portals — a scanned certified translation with the translator’s stamp in digital form is sufficient. This makes the process faster, more flexible, and perfectly valid under UK standards.
Do I need to post original documents to you?
No. Simply send me photos of the documents by email, WhatsApp or Messenger. There is no need to post the originals to me. You will find my contact details on the Contact page.
How will I receive my translation?
Certified translations are provided as signed and stamped hard copies by post, and digital scans can be sent by email/WhatsApp/Messenger.
Will your certified translation be accepted by the Czech Embassy?
Yes. I regularly translate British birth, marriage and death certificates, apostilles, naturalisation certificates and other documents for the Czech Embassy in London and the General Consulate in Manchester. I also feature on the Embassy’s list of translators.
Will your certified translation be officially recognised by British authorities?
Yes, my certified translations are recognised and accepted by all major British authorities, organisations and institutions such as HM Passport Office, UK Visas and Immigration, UK ENIC, courts, register offices, employers, colleges, universities, and others.
Who can produce certified translations in the UK?
In the UK, a certified translation can be prepared by any qualified translator who has the proper credentials to practise and is a member of a recognised professional body such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists (MCIL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (MITI).
Certified translations (úřední překlady) produced in the UK by translators registered with these organisations carry the same legal weight as sworn translations (soudní překlady) in the Czech Republic.
When might I need a certified translation?
A certified translation from Czech to English is usually required by official British authorities such as HM Passport Office, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), DVLA, HMRC, UK ENIC, banks, insurance companies, GP practices, hospitals, schools and many others.
A certified translation into Czech is required by the Czech Embassy in London and the General Consulate in Manchester when applying for a Czech birth, marriage or death certificate, Czech citizenship, a Czech passport, etc.
If you are not sure if you need a certified translation or not, get in touch and I will be happy to help.
Is certified translation the same as sworn translation?
Yes and no, let me explain. In some countries, such as the Czech Republic, official translations may only be produced by court‑appointed translators. These translators hold a judicial stamp with the Czech national emblem, and their work is therefore referred to as court translations (soudní překlady) or court‑certified translations (soudně ověřené překlady). Sometimes they are also called sworn translations. A sworn translation in the Czech Republic is generally bound to the original with a special tricolour (white, blue and red) ribbon.
In the United Kingdom, however, court translators do not exist. Here, the term certified translation is used for what in Czech is called úřední, ověřený, soudní or soudně ověřený překlad (official translation, court translation, or court‑certified translation). A certified translation in the UK can be prepared by any qualified translator who has the proper credentials to practise and is a member of a recognised professional body such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists (MCIL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (MITI).
Certified translations (úřední překlady) produced in the UK by translators registered with these organisations carry the same legal weight as sworn translations (soudní překlady) in the Czech Republic. Certified translations in the UK generally do not have to be attached to the original document by the translator.
The key difference is therefore one of
a) terminology
- in the Czech Republic, the phrase soudní or soudně ověřený překlad (court translation, sworn translation) is used
- in the UK, the accepted term is certified translation
b) presentation
- in the Czech Republic, the translator attaches the sworn translation to the original document with a special ribbon
- in the UK, a certified translation does not have to be attached to the original by the translator