HOW TO HIRE · BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL

How to hire a translator in the UK
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.

No licence applies to translators. Here is what certification means, what to ask and what the quote should include.

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THE 60-SECOND VERSION

Hiring a translator in five steps

  1. Ask the receiving body what it needsCertified, notarised or legalised, and in what form.
  2. Send the whole documentSo the translator can quote on the real word count and layout.
  3. Check the language pair and subjectA translator working into their native language, with your subject experience.
  4. Agree turnaround and proofreadingWhether a second linguist checks the work.
  5. Ask for the certification wordingIf it is for official use.

BEFORE YOU BOOK

Check before you book

No register applies

No law licenses translators in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, and membership of a translators' professional body is voluntary. Experience, references and the certification you need are what to check.

Ask the translator about their language pair, subject experience and any professional membership.

Certified translations

gov.uk says that to certify a translation of a document not in English or Welsh, the translator confirms in writing on the translation that it is a true and accurate translation of the original, and adds the date, their full name and contact details. Without it, many bodies will not accept the translation as a certificate of accuracy.

Ask for that certification statement on any translation for an official body. gov.uk →

Legalisation for use abroad

Some countries need a document legalised before they accept it, which means an apostille certificate from the FCDO confirming the signature or seal is genuine.

Ask the receiving country's authority whether the translation must be notarised or legalised. gov.uk →

Your documents' personal data

Birth certificates, contracts and medical letters hold personal data, which must be kept secure under data protection rules; most businesses must pay the ICO fee.

Ask how the translator stores and deletes your documents. gov.uk →

VAT

Translation is standard-rated, so a registered translator adds 20% to the rate per 1,000 words, to certification and to rush work. Registration becomes compulsory once a translator has VAT-taxable turnover over £90,000 in any rolling 12 months; from then VAT must be charged and shown as a separate line on the invoice.

Ask the translator for the VAT number with the quote and for translation, certification, legalisation and VAT listed apart. gov.uk →

“Do you translate into your native language?”

A good answer: Yes, normally: a translator working into their own language gives the most natural result.

“Have you translated documents like this before?”

A good answer: Legal, medical, technical or marketing experience matching your text.

“Will the translation be certified, and with what wording?”

A good answer: The statement gov.uk describes, with the translator's details and date.

“Is proofreading by a second linguist included?”

A good answer: A clear yes or no and the cost.

“How is the translation word count worked out?”

A good answer: Source or target words, and any minimum charge.

“How long will the translation take?”

A good answer: A date, allowing for checking.

“How will you keep my documents confidential?”

A good answer: Secure storage and deletion after delivery.

Getting the quote right

  • Price per 1,000 words, and the word count
  • Who actually attends to the translation and the second check: the translator named, or a subcontracted linguist
  • Certification, notarisation or legalisation priced
  • Proofreading by a second linguist included or extra
  • Formatting of scanned or complex layouts
  • Turnaround and rush charges
  • The VAT number, and VAT at 20% on translation and certification

Walk away if

  • Machine translation sold as human translation
  • No certification statement when you need one
  • Cannot name the translator working on your text
  • Very cheap rates for specialist legal or medical text
  • No confidentiality
  • Late delivery with no warning
LOW
£80
TYPICAL
£140
HIGH
£150

What a translator costs: £80–£150 per 1000 words

Translators usually charge per 1,000 words, with minimum charges for short documents and extra for certification or rush work. Translation Service price guide →

Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE

Translators near you, with the badges that matter shown

ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.

Or post the job free and let them come to you.

  1. QuoteDocument reviewed, word count and price agreed.
  2. TranslationThe translator works into their native language.
  3. CheckAccuracy, terminology and consistency checked.
  4. FormattingLayout matched to the original.
  5. Certification and deliveryCertification statement added if needed, then delivered.

Source text
The original document.
Target language
The language translated into.
Certified translation
A translation the translator confirms in writing is true and accurate.
Apostille
An FCDO certificate confirming a document's signature or seal for use abroad.
Proofreading
A second check of the translated text.
Native speaker
A translator working into their first language.

AFTER

When the job is done

Check names, dates and numbersAgainst the original before you submit it.
Keep the certified copy safeWith the original and any apostille.
Ask for corrections promptlyErrors in the translator's work should be fixed under the agreement.
Leave an honest reviewRate the translator on the things that mattered to you: the result, the communication, the price. Anything wrong goes through make-it-right before the review is published.

STEP 1Start with the translatorExplain to the translator, in writing, which part of the job fell short and what you want done. If the work lacked reasonable care and skill, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 lets you ask for it to be put right at no extra cost, or for money back.
STEP 2Make-it-right on LocufyBelow four stars, Locufy asks if the translator should be told first and given a chance. We follow it up; your review goes live once it has run its course.
STEP 3The consumer helplinesWith no regulator for translators, the translator can be referred to Trading Standards by the Citizens Advice consumer helpline (0808 223 1133) in England and Wales, Advice Direct Scotland (0808 800 9060) or Consumerline (0300 123 6262) in Northern Ireland.
STEP 4Take it to small claimsIf the translator still will not refund or fix it, the small claims routes need no solicitor: up to £10,000 in England and Wales, £5,000 under simple procedure in Scotland, and £5,000 in Northern Ireland.

Hiring a translator: questions people ask

No licence or register applies in any UK nation; professional membership is voluntary.

The translator confirms in writing on the translation that it is true and accurate, with their name, contact details and the date.

Only if the receiving body asks for it; some countries also need an apostille.

The range is £80–£150 per 1000 words, and £140 is a typical figure. The language pair, specialist subjects, certification and rush turnaround move the price per 1,000 words. The translator price guide covers what changes it; enter your town above to compare local translators.

Ask the receiving body; most want an independent translator.

Around 2,000 to 3,000 words a day per translator, plus checking time.

MORE GUIDES

More hiring guides in business & professional

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Translators near you

Translators in LondonTranslators in ManchesterTranslators in BirminghamTranslators in GlasgowTranslators in BelfastAll translators on Locufy →

Sources — checked October 2026

  1. gov.uk — certifying a document
  2. gov.uk — get your document legalised
  3. gov.uk — data protection and your business
  4. Consumer Rights Act 2015, section 49 — reasonable care and skill
  5. Citizens Advice — more help with a consumer issue
  6. gov.uk — make a court claim for money: court fees
  7. VAT rates — VAT rates for goods and services: standard rate 20% on most goods and services
  8. GOV.UK — Register for VAT: when to register