Lithuanian Document Translation for UK Visa Applications

Do you need an apostille for a UK visa?

Usually, no. For most visa types, UK Visas and Immigration does not ask for an apostille on foreign civil registry documents. What you do need is a certified translation. If your document already has an apostille attached, your translator must translate the apostille text as well as the main document.

How to obtain a Lithuanian apostille

In Lithuania, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vilnius issues apostilles, and so do Lithuanian consulates. The apostille confirms that the signature on the document is genuine. It usually takes 1–5 working days.

Post-Brexit and multilingual forms

Under EU Regulation 2016/1191, Lithuania issues multilingual standard forms with civil registry documents. But since the UK left the EU, these forms have no legal weight for UK visas. They do not replace a certified translation.

Modern Lithuanian Documents (post-2004)

Since Lithuania joined the EU in 2004, its documents have become more standard. Modern certificates are printed on security paper with holograms, carry the state emblem, and have a barcode for checking. They are easy to translate.

Early Post-Soviet Documents (1990–2003)

Papers from the 1990s may use old office wording carried over from Soviet days, now written in Lithuanian. Place names may appear in their Soviet-era form, not the restored Lithuanian name.

Soviet-Era Documents (pre-1990)

Documents issued before Lithuanian independence in 1990 are usually in Russian and carry the Soviet emblem. Place names, administrative units (SSRS = Soviet Socialist Republic) and institution names all need a specialist translator, plus a short note to explain them.

Documents from the Lithuanian Diaspora

Ethnic Lithuanians born in Poland, Germany or the US may hold Lithuanian-language papers that Lithuanian authorities did not issue. These need careful translation, with a note on who issued them and under which country's law.

Why do Lithuanian surnames look different from my passport?

Lithuanian surnames change their endings to fit the grammar of a sentence. So your birth certificate may show your name in a different case from your passport. A qualified translator finds the base form and adds a note about the difference if needed. UKVI caseworkers see this often.

My birth certificate is in Russian (Soviet-era). Can you translate it?

Yes. Many Lithuanian nationals hold Soviet-era papers in Russian, mostly those born before 1990. Our translators work with both Lithuanian and Russian documents from the Baltic states, including the Soviet office wording used in these records.

Does my Lithuanian document need an apostille for a UK visa?

For most UK visa types, you do not need an apostille on Lithuanian documents. A certified translation is enough. If you already have an apostille for another purpose, we translate it too at no extra charge.

Can I use the EU multilingual standard form instead?

No. Since Brexit, the UK no longer accepts EU multilingual forms in place of a certified translation. You need a full certified English translation, even if a multilingual form is attached to your document.

How do I get a replacement Lithuanian document if I've lost mine?

You can ask for replacement civil registry documents from the Civil Registry Department in Lithuania, or from the Lithuanian Embassy in London. Requests from abroad usually take 2–4 weeks. If you live in Lithuania, the E-Valdžia portal gives you electronic copies faster.

What if my Lithuanian document is damaged or illegible?

Upload the clearest scan you can get. Our translators mark any part they cannot read. If parts are missing, get a replacement document from Lithuania before you apply, because UKVI may reject an incomplete translation.