Asylum Document Translation Services UK
Clear English translations of foreign-language identity records, civil certificates, official correspondence and supporting evidence for UK asylum-related matters. Select a country to learn which documents and languages we can assess.
For individuals, legal representatives and support organisations · Translations of documents actually held
Why Accurate English Document Translation Matters
A person seeking asylum may have official records, personal letters or other evidence written in a language that a UK decision-maker cannot read. A translation allows the relevant words, dates and record details to be considered. It must not add a conclusion, improve a statement or claim to prove that the source document is genuine.
The Home Office asks applicants to provide identity documents and other useful evidence if they have them. Its asylum interview guidance explains that foreign-language documents must be translated into English and should identify who carried out the translation. Follow the specific directions in an interview notice or from an authorised legal representative.
Practical example: For a bundle containing an identity record, a letter and a police notice, send the relevant full pages and tell us the source language of each. We can then identify any additional handwritten text or stamp translation, confirm certification options and quote for the agreed scope.
Choose the country your document comes from
Afghanistan document translation
Dari and Pashto identity records, dates and handwritten evidence.
Explore AfghanistanEritrea document translation
Tigrinya and Arabic records, civil certificates and service-related correspondence.
Explore EritreaEthiopia document translation
Amharic, Oromo and Tigrinya evidence, regional records and Ethiopian dates.
Explore EthiopiaPakistan document translation
Urdu, Punjabi and Pashto records, including bilingual civil and police documents.
Explore PakistanAlbania document translation
Albanian civil extracts, court records and individual supporting evidence.
Explore AlbaniaKuwait document translation
Arabic official correspondence, civil records and Bidoon-related documentation.
Explore KuwaitA country is used here as a way to find relevant record guidance, not as a statement that every national has an asylum claim. Some documents contain multiple languages; we check the actual source.
Documents Commonly Translated for UK Asylum Cases
Identity and travel records
Passports, identity cards, civil IDs, Tazkira, registration records and other source documents actually held by the individual.
Birth, family and marriage records
Civil certificates, family extracts, marriage documents, relationship records and registration notices.
Police and court evidence
Police correspondence, case notices, orders, judgments and related legal papers, translated without commentary on their credibility.
Personal letters and statements
Witness letters, organisational correspondence and firsthand accounts with the source wording and chronology preserved.
Medical and education records
Treatment notes, school documents, course certificates and institutional letters relevant to the requested instruction.
Administrative correspondence
Official letters, decisions, receipts and notices, including records that do not fit a standard document category.
Handling Unreadable and Multilingual Documents
Unreadable, damaged or incomplete documents
A record may have a faint stamp, missing corner or handwriting that cannot be deciphered. We request a clearer copy when possible and identify genuinely illegible material rather than inventing words.
Several languages and scripts
A document may contain one language in its body and another in its seals or handwritten comments. We identify each language and agree what can be translated by the appropriate specialist.
Certified translation and solicitor instructions
The appropriate format depends on the receiving body and the case. We can discuss the required translation declaration and certification wording once the organisation, document and intended use are confirmed. A translation certificate is not a guarantee that a source record is authentic or that an application will succeed.
For solicitors and legal aid teams, we recommend sending a page schedule, intended language direction, relevant exhibits, any agreed transliterations, the requested certification format and a realistic filing deadline. The instructing provider should also establish any legal aid authorisation or cost limits.
See certified translation services, legal document translation and legal aid translation services for more information.
How to arrange your translation
Share your existing records
Send complete files securely, plus the source language and receiving organisation.
Confirm the translation brief
We review language, page count, difficult details, certification needs, deadline and price.
Receive the agreed English text
The translation is prepared and checked, preserving the source wording and indicating any unreadable passages.
What You Receive With Your Document Translation
A practical overview of the English translation and supporting details included in your agreed service.
English translation of your documents
The agreed identity records, civil certificates and supporting documents are translated into clear English.
Names, dates and references
Names, dates, document numbers and readable stamps are checked against the supplied source.
Clear document formatting
Headings, tables and numbered entries are retained where practicable, making the translation easy to compare with the original.
Certification and delivery options
Where requested, the available certification and delivery format are confirmed before work begins.
Related translation services
Explore these relevant services and document guides on Locate Translate.
Questions About Document Translation, Certification and Delivery
Do all foreign-language asylum documents need English translations?
Home Office guidance says foreign-language documents submitted for an asylum interview must be translated into English and show who completed the translation. Ask your adviser about your case’s precise evidence and submission timetable.
Can you translate evidence for an appeal or legal representative?
Yes, we can assess written evidence and quote for an agreed translation scope. We do not assess the strength or outcome of the case.
Do I need to have a passport before I can ask for translation?
No. We translate the records actually held. A legal representative can advise about missing evidence.
Can a document contain more than one language?
Yes. Please send every side and page so we can identify all relevant languages and any stamps or endorsements.
Will the translation guarantee Home Office acceptance?
No. Translation is a language service. The Home Office or tribunal decides how to assess evidence; a legal adviser should confirm the requirements.
Do you advise whether a person qualifies for asylum?
No. Locate Translate is a translation provider. Seek advice from a properly authorised immigration adviser or solicitor for legal assessment.
Can I request a translation quote using photographs of my documents?
Yes. Send clear, complete images of each required page, including the reverse side where it contains text or stamps. We may request sharper copies before confirming the work.
Are official stamps, handwritten notes and seals included in a translation?
Readable wording on stamps, seals and annotations can be included in the agreed scope. A non-text seal may be described where appropriate; we do not claim to authenticate it.
Can I ask for a signed certificate of accuracy with the translation?
Tell us which organisation will receive the document. We can confirm the available certification wording and whether a signed certificate is included in the quotation.
How quickly can asylum-related documents be translated?
Timescales depend on language, length, handwriting, scan quality and the checks required. Share your target date so we can assess availability before agreeing a delivery time.
Translate the records you have
Send a legible copy, tell us the country, language and destination for the translation, and we will review the scope and certification needs.
Translation support only: no immigration advice, asylum assessment or guarantee of official acceptance.