Accepted by
Certified Translations for the General Register Office & UK Register Offices
When you give notice of marriage or civil partnership, or register an overseas life event with a UK register office, any foreign-language certificate must be provided with a certified English translation. Register offices, acting under the General Register Office framework, need to read the full content of your document before they can proceed. Our certified translations reproduce the certificate in full so the registrar can accept it.
Requirements
What GRO Requires of a Certified Translation
- The translation carries a signed statement confirming the translation is a true and accurate rendering of the original, the date, and the translator's full name and contact details.
- Every field on the certificate is translated, including issuing authority, registration references, stamps and seals.
- The layout mirrors the original so the registrar can match each entry to the source certificate.
- The original foreign certificate is presented together with the translation at the appointment.
- Names and dates are transliterated consistently with your passport and other identity documents.
Documents
Documents Commonly Translated for GRO
- Marriage CertificateFor giving notice or registering an overseas marriage.
- Birth CertificateNeeded when giving notice and for many registration purposes.
- Death CertificateFor registering an overseas death or settling an estate.
- Divorce CertificateEvidence a previous marriage ended before you can remarry.
FAQ
GRO translation questions
Will my local register office accept a certified translation?
Yes. Register offices routinely accept certified English translations of foreign certificates when you give notice of marriage or civil partnership or register an overseas event. The translation must be complete and carry the translator’s certification and contact details.
Do I need to translate the whole certificate?
Yes. A registrar needs to read every field, including the issuing authority, reference numbers and any stamps. Partial or summarised translations are not accepted. Our translations reproduce the full certificate.
Should the translation match the layout of the original?
We keep the translation laid out to mirror the source certificate so the registrar can match each entry to the original. This makes verification straightforward at your appointment.
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Need a Translation Accepted by GRO?
Upload your documents for an instant quote. Certified translations prepared to meet GRO requirements, delivered within 24 hours from £17.99/page.