Certified Translation Statement: What It Must Include

The certification statement is the part of a certified translation that makes it legally valid. It confirms that the translation is complete and accurate, and identifies the translator. Getting this statement right is critical — an incorrect or incomplete certification statement is one of the most common reasons certified translations are rejected by the Home Office and UKVI.

What a Certification Statement Must Include

A valid UK certification statement must include:

• The full name of the translator or translation agency
• Contact details (address, email, or phone number)
• A statement that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original document
• Identification of the source language and document type
• The date of translation
• The translator’s signature

Some authorities also require the translator’s qualifications or professional memberships, though this is not universally required.

The Exact Wording

While there is no single mandatory form of words, a typical UK certification statement reads: “I, [Full Name], certify that this is a true and accurate translation of the [document name] originally written in [source language] and that I am competent to translate from [source language] into English.”

This statement is then signed and dated. Some translation agencies add their company stamp or letterhead. Where the translation is produced by a company rather than an individual, the statement will identify the company and a responsible individual within it.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Certified translations are rejected by the Home Office and UKVI for the following reasons relating to the certification statement:

• The translator has translated their own documents or a close family member’s documents
• The statement does not identify the source language
• The statement is undated
• The statement is unsigned
• The translation is incomplete — stamps, endorsements, and handwritten notes are not translated

UKVI-Specific Requirements

UKVI guidance specifies that certified translations must be submitted alongside a copy of the original document. Caseworkers compare the two. If there are discrepancies, or if any part of the original is untranslated (including seals, stamps, and marginal notes), the application may be rejected.

Our translations include full translation of all elements of the original document, and our certification statement meets all UKVI requirements.