Apostille Translation Services

    Danilo Coviello

    Espresso Translations offers apostille translation services as part of a suite of translation solutions. As an apostille translation agency, we can offer document legalisation requested by foreign authorities including corporate documents, birth certificates or business papers. In order to have your documents recognised by a foreign country you may need apostille certification which confirms the authenticity of translated documents.

    Our UK apostille translation services

    Espresso Translations can offer accurate and professionally translated apostilled documents at attractive prices. We have more than 2,000 accredited translators each with more than five years of experience who cover 150 different languages. In addition, we are a leading ISO-certified apostille translation agency in the UK with a dedicated team of professional translators. 

    We can provide legalised and authorised translations of any type of document that you may need for professional or personal purposes. Our expert translators are highly experienced with the apostille service.

    We will provide high-quality and accurate apostille translation services in a fast turnaround time, meeting all your translation requirements. With native translators,  Espresso Translations can offer high professionalism and language accuracy for apostille translations.

    Our qualified apostille translators understand what overseas authorities require from a professional translation and what the legal requirements are for each document. This ensures that the level of quality of service you receive from us is second to none. 

    As a professional translation agency, our apostille translation services are accepted by the courts, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) as well as any foreign government and authority that is a member of the Hague Convention.  

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    Espresso Translations offers professional apostille translation services with accredited and experienced translators. Every translation we provide to our clients is accurate, with a rapid processing time and reasonable pricing packages. Whether you are based in the UK or abroad we can give you a competitive translation quote within the hour. 

    Most translations can be done within 24-48 hours while urgent documents may be turned around on the same day. The apostille process can take longer and the completion time can depend on the complexity of the document to be issued. 

    The price of apostille translation services starts at £90 (+ VAT). The overall cost will depend on the language pair, the formatting and the length of the document. Get in touch via our contact form or by email for a quote.

    To benefit from the apostille translation service, you don’t need to send physical copies of your documents. Simply send clear and legible scans of the source documents to us by email. We will return your original documents in the same manner. 

    Espresso Translations is a member of the Association of Translation Companies offering services in London, around the UK and abroad through a network of accredited translators. You can get in touch with us by email or via our contact page to request any type of translation. 

    The table shows the main features of our apostille translation services.

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    Accepted by Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, law courts, foreign government authorities, consulates, embassies, foreign public bodies
    Translator CredentialsAccredited translators with 5+ years of experience
    Types of LegalisationApostilled
    Quality AssuranceISO 17100 certified
    CostPrices start from £90 + VAT
    LanguagesOver 150 different languages
    DeliveryExpress service for urgent translation needs
    Other servicesCertified, Notarised, Sworn

    What is apostille translation of documents?

    An apostille is a means of verifying the authenticity of a document, in this case, a translation. Apostilles can be applied to official documents, academic certificates, personal documents, or marriage certificates. In fact, any type of document can be accompanied by apostille authentication. 

    When a document translation has an apostille certificate attached, it has been certified as authentic and will be accepted by any country that recognises the apostille. 

    Does Hague Apostille need to be translated?

    The apostille certificate is mostly written in English with some phrases in French and Spanish. Other countries may ask for the apostille itself to be translated into the official language of the country in question. Translation of the apostille certificate is done in the same way as other documents. 

    Most certification and apostille services are requested for documents like birth, marriage or death certificates, a criminal record or international documents such as a passport, ID card or travel visa.

    How long does an apostille translation take?

    Our comprehensive translation service provides a rapid turnaround time of just 24 hours for your document. If you need to get the translation done even quicker we can offer a same-day service. The certified and notarized translations are then sent to the Legalisation Department of the Foreign Office in Milton Keynes where the apostille will be issued. 

    This stage of the process can take up to three weeks. Afterwards, your apostille-authenticated document can be used for official purposes abroad including translations for embassies, immigration paperwork or business proposals. 

    Contact us for a detailed quote and an exact turnaround time for accurate apostille-certified translations.

    How to get a document translated and apostilled?

    To get a document translated and apostilled you will need to follow 3-4 steps listed below. 

    • Send us your document via email, making sure scans are clear and legible.
    • Tell us the relevant language information including whether you require apostille translation.
    • When the translation is complete the notarized documents are sent to the Foreign Office to be apostilled. 
    • The documents, apostilled and authenticated will be sent to you directly in the post.

    Documents required to have a legal translation are accompanied by an apostille issued by the government of the country of origin.

    How much does an apostille translation cost in the UK?

    Translated documents that are issued with the apostille cost from £90 + VAT. The translation apostille certificate is a separate document and will be attached to your notarised translations.

    Costs will depend on the length of the document, its format and other considerations such as whether it contains complicated language. Use our contact details today to request a quote for your specific requirements.

    Who can apostille a translation in UK?

    Only certified translators such as Espresso Translations can provide accurate apostille translation services. These translators should be members of an accredited authority such as the Association of Translation Companies, a professional membership body for translation companies. 

    The apostille certificate is issued on UK documents by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). That office is the competent authority in the UK for issuing apostilles. 

    The apostille translation service type that you choose is very important in order to ensure that your translation is accepted by the requesting authorities.

    Who can translate a UK apostille certificate?

    If you have an apostille for translation you must use a professional translation agency. Failing to do so could result in costly mistakes such as delays to visa applications as unofficial translations will be rejected by UK and foreign authorities.

     Any document for use in an official capacity must be translated professionally and be accompanied by translation certification. For example, an apostille marriage certificate must first be notarized before the apostille is issued. 

    We will translate your documents carefully, taking them through the certification process to the apostille & legalisation service. Any additional steps required will be taken care of by our experienced team to ensure your translation needs are met.

    Why choose our apostille document translation services UK?

    Espresso Translations offers the legalisation of documents and high quality apostille translation services through our well-established business processes. From translation to notarization and apostille services in London and throughout the UK we can translate and legalise documents for international use. 

    Whether you need a translation of business documents, powers of attorney, death certificates, adoption papers or college diplomas our language professionals offer a first-class legalisation service. We can translate the apostille certificate itself for use anywhere in the world. 

    We translate thousands of documents every year and our professional, accredited translators understand the oversight requirements for specific documents at any moment in time. In the realm of translation, many countries change the level of certification required for the legalization of documents. For example, in Angola, only an apostille bearing a green ribbon will be accepted.

    Our apostille translation services will provide you with the perfect translation which can be used for official purposes and at competitive prices.

    Apostille certified translation cacepted by the Foreign Commonwealth Office

    The Foreign and Commonwealth Office,  known as the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office since 2020, recognises and accepts apostille certified translations from Espresso Translations. They are also accepted by the Home Office, law courts, as well as foreign embassies and consulates outside of the UK. 

    A public authority abroad may request the apostille affixed to your translation to also be translated to their native language in order to recognise it as a legal document or official certificate.

    Home office
    NHS
    UK certification language service 1
    Gov.co.uk

    Do you translate a document before apostille?

    The legalisation process requires that the documents first be translated. They will then be apostilled by the relevant competent authority. 

    The language translation is undertaken by accredited, professional services who translate the documents and then submit them to the competent authority to undergo its authentication service. All documents that require an apostille will have the apostille affixed to the finished, translated document.

    Apostille translation template

    apostille translation services
    certified translation services uk

    What are the steps for a Hague Apostille translation?

    If you have been asked for an apostilled translation you will need to go through a series of steps listed below:

    • The document is translated by one of our qualified translators who is a native speaker of the target language.
    • The translation is proofread by a second accredited translator and a cover sheet is attached which certifies its accuracy.
    • A notary public will seal and sign the translation to verify the identity of the translator. 
    • The apostille legalisation of your document is done in Milton Keynes where the Legalisation Department of the Foreign Office is located.
    • If the apostille is also required to be translated this can be done by us. 

    For example, if you have gained qualifications, such as a degree certificate, in another country some UK organisations may ask you to get a legalised translation for their records.  Such documents can be sent to us by email in digital format.

    To use any document in an official capacity in a foreign country getting an apostille for a translation is a sensible decision. The document becomes legalised in all countries that are members of the Hague Convention and is recognised as authentic and genuine.

    How do I get an apostille for my UK passport?

    To get an apostille for your UK passport you will need to go through the certified translation process. Translations of UK passports must be translated by an accredited translator and certified.

    This translated document is then notarized through solicitor certification or by a dedicated notary public. Once notarized the translated passport will be sent to the Legalisation Department of the FCDO where it will receive its legalisation document in the form of an apostille.

    Where can I find the best certified translation and apostille services near me?

    Espresso Translations offers a consistent level of high quality, professional apostille translation services for common documents as well as bespoke contracts for business requirements. We do not use computerised translations and our expertise comes from our wide network of knowledgeable translators fluent in over 150 foreign languages. 

    Language barriers are no impediment to our team of accredited professionals who are dedicated to accuracy, expediency and reliability. Whether you need an apostille birth certificate in France or authentication of documents in Saudi Arabia our affordable translation company is here to help.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is an official translation apostille?

    An official translation apostille is an additional certification added to a translated document. It is issued by the competent authority in countries that recognise and accept the apostille. It is an attestation from the issuing authority that confirms the translated document is true and accurate.

    How do I get an apostille from the UK?

    You can get an apostille from the UK for documents that were issued in this country. This includes birth, marriage, or death certificates, passports, company certificates issued by Companies House, signed medical certificates or other documents issued by a public body. Translations of these documents must be processed by a professional, accredited translation agency.

    Can a UK embassy issue an apostille?

    An embassy in London or any other UK based embassy is not authorised to issue apostilles. Only the competent authority can issue an apostille. The FCDO is the UK’s competent authority and so only they can provide an apostille certificate.

    Who can issue a Hague apostille?

    All countries who recognise it can issue a Hague Apostille. It is issued by the competent authority in each of the respective countries.

    What is the difference between apostille and certified translation?

    An apostille is an authentication for translated official documents certifying their legality and veracity issued by a country’s competent authority. A certified translation is a professionally translated document that features an affidavit from the translator or translation agency verifying that it is a true and accurate translation of the original. 

    Is apostille the same as certified translation?

    An apostille is a form of legalised document whereas a certified translation features a statement of truth regarding the accuracy of the translated document in relation to the original document. 

    What is first translation or apostille?

    A document must first be translated before it is apostilled. The translation is certified, notarized and finally sent to the FCDO’s legalisation department to be issued with an apostille. 

    Can you translate apostille documents?

    Espresso Translations has significant experience in translating apostille documents. If you need to have documents legalised use the contact info on our website to send us details of your requirements. We will process your translation as quickly as possible while at the same time maintaining our high quality and accuracy. 

    What is the difference between apostille translation and sworn translation?

    Some common law countries such as Spain and France require sworn translations which are recognised as having the same legal status as the originals. An apostille, on the other hand, is an additional and separate document that testifies to the authenticity and legality of the translation to which it is affixed.  

    Does a sworn translation need to be apostilled?

    Some embassy translations are required to be sworn and these documents may also require an apostille. Examples include deed polls, Disclosure and Barring Service certificates, or stamped court documents.

    What is the difference between stamp and apostille?

    When a translation is notarized the notary public adds his stamp and signature to confirm the identity of the document’s translator. An apostille is a separate certificate which confirms the authenticity and legal status of the translated document to which it refers. 

    Does apostille stamp need to be translated?

    On occasion, an apostille stamp may need to be translated. Non-English speaking countries often want the apostille translated as most of the document is in English with some French and Spanish phrases. 

    What is the cheapest apostille service in the UK?

    If you are looking for an affordable translation company that adheres to high standards of accuracy on translations Espresso Translations is the perfect partner for your apostille translation services project. We don’t have any hidden or additional charges and we can provide you with a quote in under an hour. 

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