Refugee and Asylum Document Translation UK

A translation should accurately preserve names, dates, places, official titles and the distinction between what the source actually says and what an applicant or adviser may wish to explain separately. Contradictory details should not be silently altered to create consistency. Unclear handwriting or damaged originals should be flagged.

Statements, identity records and confidential evidence

For a collection of statements or records, keep each original document identifiable by its date, author or issuing authority, where these are shown. Do not silently adjust conflicting spellings, chronology or names to produce a consistent narrative; differences should remain traceable to the sources so the applicant or legal representative can explain them separately.

Check whether pages contain handwritten annotations, seals, translations of quoted speech or attachments referred to in a statement. Provide the receiving solicitor’s instructions concerning certification and document order, while limiting unnecessary disclosure of sensitive information. For a formal statement that needs translating, our affidavit and sworn statement translation page covers related document-format considerations.

Records may include identity documents, civil certificates, police correspondence, written statements or records of events. A legal representative should confirm what is relevant for the case and whether certification wording, page numbering or additional supporting information is required.

Read about certified translation and document translation to understand the available formats. For formal legal use, see legal translation.

For confidentiality, share only necessary documents through an appropriate submission route and clarify whether the request comes from an applicant, adviser or representative. Translation does not itself determine eligibility, evidential weight or acceptance by an authority.

Notarisation and apostille are distinct from translation and may depend on where the document will be used. You can explore notarised translation and apostille translation for background, then confirm the requirements with the receiving organisation.