If you need to use a UK document abroad, you may be asked for both an apostille and a certified translation. This is common for countries where English is not the official language or where the receiving authority requires documents in a specific language.
One of the most common questions is whether the document should be translated before or after the apostille is added.
The answer depends on the receiving authority, the country and the type of document. In many cases, the UK document is apostilled first and then translated. However, some authorities may require the translation itself to be certified, notarised or legalised as well.
What does an apostille do?
An apostille confirms that a recognised signature, stamp or seal on a UK document is genuine. It allows the document to be recognised for international use in countries that accept apostilles.
The apostille does not translate the document. It also does not confirm that the contents of the document are correct. It only confirms the authenticity of the signature, stamp or seal.
If the receiving authority does not accept English, a translation may still be required after the apostille has been added.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is a translation completed with a formal statement confirming that it is accurate and complete.
It may be required for documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce documents, degree certificates, police certificates, medical certificates, powers of attorney and company documents.
The requirements for certified translations vary by country. Some authorities accept a standard certified translation. Others may require a sworn translator, notarised translation or translation completed locally in the destination country.
Should you translate before or after the apostille?
In many cases, the safest order is to apostille the UK document first and then translate the full apostilled document.
This means the translation can include the original document and the apostille certificate. The receiving authority can then understand both the document contents and the legalisation certificate.
However, this is not always the rule. Some authorities may ask for the translation first, or may require the translation to be attached to the document before legalisation.
Always check the instructions from the organisation requesting the document.
When should the apostille come first?
The apostille often comes first when the receiving authority wants the full legalised document translated.
This may apply to:
- birth certificates
- marriage certificates
- divorce documents
- death certificates
- degree certificates
- academic transcripts
- police certificates
- medical certificates
- company documents
- powers of attorney
If the apostille is added after translation, the translation may not include the apostille wording, which can cause problems for some authorities.
When might translation come first?
Translation may come first if the receiving authority specifically asks for the translation to be certified, notarised or legalised as part of the document pack.
For example, a translator may prepare a certified translation, and then a solicitor or notary may certify the translator’s statement. The apostille may then be attached to that certification.
This can happen when the receiving authority wants the translation itself to be legalised, not just the original UK document.
Do you need to translate the apostille itself?
Some authorities require the apostille certificate to be translated as well as the original document.
This is one reason why the apostille is often completed before the translation. The translator can then translate the full document, including the apostille wording.
If the apostille is not translated and the authority requires it, the document may be rejected or delayed.
Certified, sworn or notarised translation?
Translation requirements can vary widely.
A certified translation may be enough for some authorities. Others may ask for a sworn translation, notarised translation, consular translation or translation by an approved local translator.
The wording used by the receiving authority matters. If they ask for a “sworn translation”, a standard certified translation may not be enough.
Before arranging translation, check the exact requirement.
Documents that commonly need apostille and translation
Documents that often need both apostille and translation include:
- birth certificates
- marriage certificates
- divorce documents
- death certificates
- Certificates of No Impediment
- adoption certificates
- degree certificates
- academic transcripts
- DBS or police certificates
- medical certificates
- powers of attorney
- company documents
- court documents
The language and translation format depend on the destination country and the receiving authority.
Country-specific translation requirements
Different countries handle translations differently.
Some countries may accept UK-certified translations. Others may require translations to be completed by a sworn translator in the destination country. Some authorities may only accept translations prepared after the document has been apostilled.
This is especially important for marriage, citizenship, court, property, immigration and corporate procedures.
If the authority has provided translation instructions, follow them closely.
Do translated documents need a separate apostille?
Sometimes, yes.
If the translation itself needs to be legalised, it may need to be certified by a solicitor or notary and then apostilled separately.
In other cases, the receiving authority only needs the original UK document apostilled, with a certified translation attached.
The difference matters because it affects cost, timing and document preparation.
Common reasons for delays
Apostille and translation delays often happen when the steps are completed in the wrong order.
There may also be problems if the apostille certificate is not translated, if the translation is not certified correctly, or if the receiving authority required a sworn translator rather than a standard certified translation.
Other delays can occur if a document is translated before errors in the original document are fixed.
How 12 Apostille can help
12 Apostille can help you prepare UK documents that need both apostille legalisation and translation for overseas use.
We can advise whether the document should usually be apostilled first, whether the translation may need certification, and whether further legalisation may be required.
This helps reduce the risk of delays and makes sure your document is prepared in the correct order before submission abroad.
Final checklist
Before arranging apostille and translation, check whether the receiving authority needs the original UK document apostilled, whether the apostille itself must be translated, and whether the translation must be certified, sworn or notarised.
You should also check whether the translation needs a separate apostille and whether the destination country has specific translation rules.
Getting the order right from the start can help avoid delays when using UK documents abroad.