Is it mandatory to translate and legalize documents for use in the United Kingdom?

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Verdesh Inga

Lawyer

United Kingdom / London

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Publication date: 04.02.2026

Inga Verdes is a UK-based lawyer with extensive experience in corporate, immigration, and international law. She specializes in company formation, residence permit support, business plans, and legal services for international entrepreneurs doing business in the United Kingdom.

Is it mandatory to translate and legalize documents for use in the United Kingdom?
The process of translating and legalizing documents for the United Kingdom has its own specifics, depending on the type of document, the purpose of its use (education, employment, immigration procedures, marriage), and the requirements of the particular institution. Not all Ukrainian documents are recognized automatically: in most cases, a certified translation into English, an apostille for the UK, or the procedure of legalization of documents for the UK is required. Proper recognition of Ukrainian documents in the UK may also be necessary to confirm education, marital status, work experience, or personal data.

1. carry out document translation for the UK by a certified translator;
2. obtain an apostille for the UK or complete the procedure of legalization of documents for the UK;
3. if required, provide additional confirmation of the document’s authenticity from Ukrainian state authorities.

After preparing the document package, it is submitted to the relevant British institution (university, employer, immigration authority, or registry office), which decides whether to accept Ukrainian documents in the United Kingdom.

Process in complex cases:

If a document raises doubts about its authenticity or is damaged, the British institution may initiate additional verification through competent authorities or request duplicates.
In cases of discrepancies in personal data (names, transliteration, dates of birth), additional supporting certificates or notarized statements may be required.

For educational documents, an assessment of qualification equivalence through specialized organizations may sometimes be necessary.

Important

To translate and legalize documents for the United Kingdom, you should have:

• original documents and their copies;
• a certified translation into English;
• an apostille for the UK (if required) or other forms of legalization of documents for the UK;
• documents confirming a change of surname or personal data (if applicable).

If a document is used for education, employment, or immigration, the requirements may vary depending on the institution. In case of refusal to accept the documents, the applicant has the right to provide clarifications, additional confirmations, or appeal the decision in accordance with the established procedure.

1. clarify the reasons for refusal;
2. prepare certified translations into English or corrected documents;
3. submit a repeated application or complaint;
4. assist with communication with British authorities.

Main services of a lawyer for translation and legalization of documents in the United Kingdom:

1. Consultations on the requirements of British institutions for foreign documents;
2. Review of the document package and recommendations on apostille for the UK and legalization of documents for the UK;
3. Assistance in preparing certified translations into English and document translation for the UK;
4. Liaison with British authorities and educational institutions;
5. Appealing refusals to accept documents.

Typical situations where legal assistance is needed:

Refusal to accept a diploma, certificate, or official document;

Problems with legalization or obtaining an apostille for the document;

Discrepancies in the spelling of names or personal data;

Requests for additional confirmation of the document’s authenticity.

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