6 min read
UK Spouse Visa Documents That Need Certified Translation
The rule: everything not in English or Welsh
For spouse and partner visa applications, UKVI requires a full certified translation of every supporting document that is not in English or Welsh. Partial translations, summaries or machine translations are not accepted, and missing translations are a common reason applications stall.
Documents most often translated for spouse visas
Every application is different, but these are the documents we translate most often for spouse and partner visa files:
- Marriage or civil partnership certificate
- Birth certificates (applicant and children)
- Divorce decrees or death certificates from previous marriages
- Criminal record / police clearance certificates
- Bank statements and payslips supporting the financial requirement
- Property deeds or tenancy agreements for accommodation evidence
What the translation must contain
UKVI guidance is specific. Each certified translation must include confirmation that it is an accurate translation of the original document, the date of the translation, and the translator's or company's full name, signature and contact details. Our certified translations include all of these on company letterhead as standard.
Mistakes that delay applications
From the files we see, the most common problems are:
- Translating only the front of a document and skipping stamps or the reverse side
- Using a friend or family member to translate — UKVI does not accept self-translations
- Missing certification details (no date, no signature, no contact details)
- Submitting a translation without the copy of the original it was made from
Timing and cost
Single certificates start from £30 and short documents are usually completed quickly. Upload your documents, receive an exact quote by email, and get signed, stamped PDFs ready to attach to your online application.
Related services
Preparing a spouse visa application? Upload your documents for a free quote — everything certified to UKVI requirements.
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