When a certified translation is needed
For residence visas: every document not in English. For temporary visas: police and medical certificates, plus any other document an immigration officer asks for.
The six conditions
Under A13.5, certified translations must:
- Not be prepared by the applicant, a family member or an immigration adviser on the application.
- Be accompanied by the original documents or certified copies, unless legible copies are acceptable.
- Be paid for by the applicant.
- Be certified as a correct translation by a person familiar with both languages and competent in translation work.
- Bear the stamp or signature of the translator or translation business.
- Be on official letterhead of the translation business, if applicable.
I certify that this is a true and accurate translation of …….
Translations may be prepared by the Department of Internal Affairs, reputable people known to translate accurately, embassies, or any other private or official translation business.
Visitor visas since 26 May 2025
Translations for visitor visa applications no longer have to be certified, but they must include details of the translator.
Checklist
- You are independent of the applicant.
- Statement: correct translation, by a person competent in both languages.
- Stamp or signature; letterhead if you work as a business.
- Original or certified copy goes with the translation.
Where Lingverra saves time
Lingverra produces a precise translation in the layout of the original, reads handwritten entries, transliterates names as in the passport and flags uncertain passages. The certification statement is already under the translation, with the date, and it says what you actually translated from: the original, a certified copy, a copy or a scan. Your name and contact details print under the signature from your profile. You can rewrite the statement once in the profile or for a single document. Checking and signing remain your job.
Read also: where the time really goes when translating from a scan