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Posted on7 May 2024

Atlas FAQs: Why You Should Use Certified Translation in Your UK Passport Application?

Applying for a UK passport can be intimidating, especially if you need to submit foreign language documents with your application. However, with a certified translation agency like Atlas Translations on your side, the process can be seamless and stress-free. So, keep reading to find out why you should use certified translation in your UK passport application.

Who Is Eligible for a UK Passport?

To be eligible for a UK passport, you must:

  • Be a British citizen
  • Have acquired British citizenship before beginning your passport application

During the application process, you’ll be asked to provide certain legal documents to support your application.

The documents required for UK passport applications vary depending on your personal circumstances. If you’re not sure what documents you need for the application, you can find them here.

shows a photo of a dark blue with gold lettering UK passport being passed from one hand to another

Do I Need Translated Documents for My Application?

If you need to submit original documents in a language other than English or Welsh as part of your UK passport application, you’ll need a certified translation. The UK passport office requires all foreign-language documents to be submitted with an English translation attached.

What Is a Certified Translation?

A certified translation is a translated document, like a birth or marriage certificate, completed and signed by a qualified translator. The translation becomes certified when the translator signs the translation and applies their seal or stamp, confirming that it is a true and accurate representation of the original document.

The translator should be accredited by a recognised professional organisation, such as the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) or the Association of Translation Companies (ATC). 

Why Is a Certified Translation Necessary for UK Passport Applications?

The smallest mistake in your passport application can lead to delays, rejections, and sometimes costly reapplications. This is where certified translation plays a huge role, helping to keep your application error-free and ensuring that it is processed smoothly.

The UK requires that all supporting documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, and divorce decrees, that are originally in a language other than English or Welsh, be translated into English by a certified translator.

  • Using a certified translation means:
    • Your translated documents are considered true and accurate
    • Your application has a far better chance of being approved immediately
    • You can avoid wasting time, money and potential legal issues
    • Travel plans and important life events will remain unchanged

How Can I Find a Certified Translator?

The passport office recommends using a qualified translator recognised by organisations such as the ITI or ATC (linked above). Reviewing qualified companies and independent translators on these websites will help you find a translator.

However, we would be remiss if we didn’t recommend our services to you

But it’s not a recommendation that we take lightly, either. Atlas Translations is fully accredited by the ITI and ATC, as well as the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL).

Yes, that does only look like a jumble sale of letters! But it means we can provide certified translations of any documents you might need for your UK passport application. We’ve been doing this for over 30 years, and we know what’s needed.

How Can Atlas Translations Help Me?

We believe in keeping things as simple as possible, so it’s really easy to get started with our certified translation services. You can get a free quote today from our friendly team of translation project managers, all of whom have plenty of experience with UK passport translations.

Or, you can give us a ring at +44 (0)1727 812 725 to learn more about the services we offer.

We also offer fixed-price certified translation packages, which are a straightforward way to get the translation services you need. Our fast, high-quality expertise can help you move forward with your UK passport application in no time.

Can I Trust Atlas Translations?

Atlas Translations holds two ISO certifications — ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management) and ISO 17100:2017 (Translation Services).

Are you wondering if we care about your privacy? We’ve been registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) for over twenty years, so data protection has always been important to us.

You can read more about our commitment to quality here.

Atlas Translations prides itself on providing fast, friendly, and high-quality language services. But don’t just take our word for it—see what our clients are saying about us.

We’ve also recently started using TrustPilot, and you can read our reviews here.

Contact Us

If you’re applying for a UK passport and are interested in finding out more about how we can help, why not get in touch with us today? We’d love for you to chat or ask questions!

Call us on 01727 812 725 or email us at team@atlas-translations.co.uk to let us know what you need. We respond quickly to all enquiries!

If you’d like to meet us face to face, learn more about our translation and language services, or deliver documents, please email or call us to arrange a meeting.

Use the Live Chat option during UK working hours to ask us any questions. You’ll chat with a real, live human—no bots here!

Just click the little icon at the bottom right of your screen to start chatting with us.

If you need a quick quote, we have a handy Get a quote button located at the top of our website where you can get an estimate for your needs.

Global Voice, Local Touch

If you’re looking for some tips on partnering with Atlas Translations, we have so many tips to share!

Click below to download our Global Voice, Local Touch e-book! Inside, we answer 25 of our clients’ most frequently asked questions, ranging from typesetting queries to discussing reference materials.

Click to download Global Voice, Local Touch

ISO 17100 – ISO 17100:2017 for Translation Services (since this standard began, in 2008, externally audited annually).
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