Since 2 March 2026, family court bundles must not include WhatsApp messages, text messages or voice notes as a class unless the court directs otherwise; only specific documents the court needs to read can go in. That is the new Practice Direction 27A, which also keeps the old exclusion of bank statements. Before paying to translate a 600-message thread, decide which messages the judge needs, then translate those in full, in context.
The rules themselves are short; the work lies in applying them to marriage records, custody orders, bank statements and messages. The rules for other courts are in our guide to HMCTS translation requirements.
What translation does a divorce application need?
A translation of the marriage certificate that the translator has verified, with a notary's certificate or a statement of truth. Under PD 7A para 3.1, an undisputed marriage is proved by the certificate, a similar document or a certified copy and, where it is not in English (or Welsh, in a court in Wales), "a translation of that document verified by the translator and certified by a notary public or authenticated by a statement of truth".
Form D8 puts it plainly: "A translation that has been certified by a notary public or authenticated by a statement of truth by the person who did the translation." Its guidance adds that photocopies of the certificate will not be accepted and that the court will keep the documents you send. If the translation is not ready and filing is urgent, you can ask permission to file without it and undertake to file it "at the very earliest opportunity" (paras 3.2 to 3.4).
The statement of truth follows the form in FPR PD 17A. A standard certificate of accuracy, which a company official may sign, is not this: PD 7A wants the translator's own verification, backed by a statement of truth or a notary, so confirm before ordering that the translator will sign it. Names should match the parties' passports; our marriage certificate translation guide covers formats country by country.
What changed in 2024, and why did translators' bodies object?
Two official texts changed. Practice Direction Update No. 5 of 2024 inserted "verified by the translator and" into PD 7A para 3.1(b) from 1 June 2024. GOV.UK's Certifying a document page now tells people to ask the translator to confirm in writing on the translation that it is a "true and accurate translation of the original document", with the date and the translator's full name and contact details.
On 25 July 2024 the Association of Translation Companies (ATC), the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) said in a joint statement that the changes "do not reflect existing, long-standing UK best practice", warning of "the risk of translation errors, to certified translations being rejected, and to lengthy delays". Their proposed wording adds a recommendation to use "a translator or translation company with a clear affiliation to a recognised professional body or association".
Neither PD 7A nor GOV.UK names any professional body. The court rule requires the translator's verification plus a notary's certificate or a statement of truth.
How are foreign-language statements and affidavits handled?
Translated, filed with the original, and signed by the translator on the translation. Under FPR PD 22A para 8.2, the party relying on a foreign-language statement or affidavit must "have it translated" and "file the foreign language affidavit/statement with the court", and "the translator must sign the translation to certify that it is accurate".
Civil courts differ: there the translator signs the original statement (CPR PD 32, para 23.2). A family statement must also be "if practicable, in the maker's own words" (PD 22A, para 4.1), so draft it with the witness in their own language and translate it afterwards.
Interpreters are separate: HMCTS provides them at hearings in defined family cases, and they do not translate documents. Official Translations translates documents and does not provide court interpreters.
Which documents need translating in a financial remedy case?
Whatever you disclose or rely on that the other side and the judge cannot read. Form E requires, for each bank account, "all statements covering the last 12 months", any property valuation "obtained within the last six months", business accounts for the last two financial years, and details of "ALL assets held both within and outside England and Wales", all under a duty of "full, frank and clear disclosure".
No rule says each foreign page must be translated, but disclosure nobody can read proves little. Agree early with the other side which documents need full translation, and ask for directions if you cannot agree: PD 27A's bundle rules are "subject to any case-specific direction of the court, including in relation to any translations required" (para 5.1).
PD 27A also keeps bank and credit card statements out of bundles unless the court directs otherwise. For financial claims after a divorce abroad, see our divorce document translation guide.
Do WhatsApp messages and voice notes need translating for the family court?
Only the ones the court needs, but those in full. PD 27A para 5.2 keeps "emails, text messages, WhatsApp messages or any form of social media communications" and "voice notes or other recordings" out of the bundle unless the court directs otherwise, while allowing "specific documents which it is necessary for the court to read or which will actually be referred to during the hearing".
For the messages that go in:
- Translate whole exchanges, with every date, time and sender, not isolated lines.
- Keep the register. Insults, slang and threats are translated at their real strength, with a note where a word has no exact English equivalent.
- Mark what is not text: emojis, images and deleted messages. Voice notes need a transcript before they can be translated.
- Identify the source: the device or account and the date range of the export.
See our page on text message translation for the format.
How are foreign orders about children recognised?
Through the 1996 Hague Convention where it applies, with translations under PD 31A. Applications to register, recognise or refuse recognition of a foreign judgment go to a district judge of the principal registry (FPR 31.3 and 31.4), and "a translation of the judgment should be supplied" (PD 31A, para 2.2). Any other document not in English needs a translation "certified by a notary public or a person qualified for the purpose, or accompanied by witness statement or affidavit confirming that the translation is accurate" (para 2.3).
The evidence includes documents showing the order is enforceable where it was made and "a description of the opportunities provided ... for the child to be heard" (para 4.2), so those passages of the judgment need careful translation. Keep foreign concepts as they are: German elterliche Sorge covers care of both the child's person (Personensorge) and their property (Vermögenssorge) (BGB section 1626), so it should not be flattened into "custody".
In abduction cases under the 1980 Hague Convention, an application to another country's Central Authority needs "a translation into the official language or one of the official languages of the requested State or, where that is not feasible, a translation into French or English" (Article 24). In England and Wales the Lord Chancellor is the Central Authority, acting through the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (PD 12F), and Article 11 lets the applicant ask for reasons if there is no decision within six weeks.
What about maintenance from abroad?
Under the 2007 Hague Maintenance Convention, applications go in the original language with a translation into an official language of the receiving state, "unless the competent authority of that State dispenses with translation" (Article 44), and the applicant may be charged for it unless legal assistance covers the cost (Article 45(3)). The Lord Chancellor is the Central Authority for England and Wales (FPR 34.36B).
What translation is needed to serve family papers abroad?
A translation into the official language of the country, or the one appropriate to the place of service, with the translator's statement "that it is a correct translation", including their "name, address and qualifications for making the translation" (FPR 6.47). None is needed where English is an official language there, or where the person served reads English and is served directly.
How do Scotland and Northern Ireland differ?
In Scotland's Court of Session, an action to recognise a divorce granted outside the UK needs the decree and the marriage extract, and any not in English must, unless the court directs otherwise, "be accompanied by a translation certified by a notary public or authenticated by affidavit" (Rule of Court 49.91(5)).
Northern Ireland still uses divorce petitions, filed with the marriage certificate and birth certificates of any child of the family under 18 (Family Proceedings Rules (Northern Ireland) 1996, rule 2.6(2)); ask the court office how it wants foreign certificates translated.
Common mistakes in family court translations
- A marriage certificate translation with no verification, and no statement of truth or notary.
- The translator signing the original statement, as in civil courts, instead of the translation.
- A whole message export filed when PD 27A excludes it unless the court directs otherwise.
- Selected messages without context, which the other side can attack as misleading.
- Foreign custody concepts anglicised, so the order seems to say something it does not.
- Amounts converted into sterling by the translator.
Checklist: family court translations
Questions people ask
Can I translate my own marriage certificate for my divorce?
PD 7A does not say who may translate. It requires the translator's verification plus a notary's certificate or a statement of truth, and Form D8 expects the statement of truth from the person who did the translation. A party's own translation is easy to question, so an independent translator is safer.
Does a family court translation need to be notarised?
Not as a rule. PD 7A accepts a statement of truth instead of a notary, PD 22A asks only for the translator's signature on the translation, and PD 31A accepts certification by a qualified person or a witness statement confirming accuracy.
Do I need to translate every page of my foreign bank statements for Form E?
Form E requires 12 months of statements for every account, and your disclosure must be understandable. No rule fixes the scope of translation, so agree it with the other side or ask the court for directions; PD 27A keeps bank statements out of the bundle unless the court directs otherwise.
Will the family court provide an interpreter?
Yes in cases involving children, domestic violence or forced marriage, and in other cases only if you cannot afford one, do not qualify for legal aid and have no friend or relative the judge approves. Interpreters interpret at the hearing; they do not translate documents.
Does a foreign custody order need to be translated in full?
For registration or recognition under the 1996 Hague Convention, PD 31A asks for a translation of the judgment and certified translations of other documents. The reasons often record how the child was heard and why the court had jurisdiction, so translate the whole order.
How much does a family court translation cost and how long does it take?
Official Translations charges £29.95 per page, a page being up to 300 words of the source document, with a signed certificate of accuracy. A one-page certificate usually arrives as a signed PDF by email within 24 hours, and longer documents such as judgments take 1 to 3 business days.
