Chinese Translation Services in the UK
Professional Chinese-to-English and English-to-Chinese document translation for personal, immigration, academic, legal and business use. We handle both Simplified and Traditional Chinese and can prepare certified translations for formal submission.
- Chinese to English and English to Chinese
- Simplified and Traditional Chinese
- Certified digital PDF delivery
- Posted copies available on request
Certified Chinese translation for official and professional use
Chinese translation services convert your document between Chinese and English while preserving the information needed to understand and compare it with the source. When certification is required, the completed translation is accompanied by a signed certification statement.
Personal names, dates, identification numbers, field labels, stamps, seals, annotations and legible handwritten notes are reviewed as part of the document rather than treated as separate details.
The exact requirement depends on the organisation receiving your translation. Tell us where the document will be submitted so the appropriate certification route can be confirmed before work begins.
Simplified, Traditional, Mandarin or Cantonese?
Chinese documents are normally written using either Simplified or Traditional characters. If you are sending a Chinese document for translation into English, simply provide the source as it appears and the written system can be identified during review.
Simplified Chinese
Uses simplified character forms and is commonly associated with Mainland China and Singapore.
Traditional Chinese
Uses traditional character forms and is commonly used in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau.
Mandarin and Cantonese primarily refer to spoken language varieties. For written-document translation, the character system and the receiving organisation's requirements are usually the key considerations.
For English-to-Chinese work, tell us where the finished translation will be used. This helps establish whether Simplified or Traditional Chinese is appropriate.
Chinese documents commonly sent for translation
Send every relevant page, including reverse sides, stamps, seals, schedules and attachments. The required scope can then be confirmed from the complete document.
Personal and civil records
- Birth certificates
- Marriage and divorce records
- Death certificates
- Passports and identity cards
- Household and family records
- Name-change documents
Immigration and legal papers
- Police and criminal-record certificates
- Residence and visa documents
- Court orders and case papers
- Affidavits and declarations
- Powers of attorney
- Supporting financial evidence
Academic documents
- Degree and diploma certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Grade and examination records
- Enrolment letters
- Training certificates
- Professional qualifications
Business documents
- Company registration documents
- Business licences
- Contracts and agreements
- Corporate reports
- Employment and HR records
- Commercial correspondence
Chinese translation for UKVI and Home Office applications
If a Chinese-language document is being submitted as evidence for a UK immigration or Home Office matter, a certified English translation may be required. Tell us that the document is for UKVI or Home Office use when sending it for review.
Current UK guidance for translated supporting documents refers to information such as confirmation that the translation is accurate, the date of translation, the translator's name and signature, and contact details. The exact receiving organisation remains responsible for deciding what it requires.
What your certified Chinese translation includes
The final format is reviewed against the intended use before translation begins. This helps reduce missing pages, unsuitable certification wording and avoidable inconsistencies.
Complete translation
Readable field labels, entries, stamps, seals, annotations and relevant notes are translated.
Certification statement
A signed statement confirms that the translation is true and complete to the best of the translator's knowledge.
Identifying details
The relevant name, signature, date and contact information accompany the certification.
Clear formatting
Headings, tables, fields and visible structure are presented so the translation can be compared with the source.
Quality review
Names, dates, numbers, terminology, repeated entries and document completeness are reviewed before delivery.
How Chinese translation works
Your price, service type and expected turnaround are confirmed before translation begins.
Send your document
Upload a clear scan, photograph, PDF or editable file and tell us where the translation will be submitted.
Receive confirmation
The file is reviewed and the price, language direction, certification route and delivery time are confirmed.
Translation and checks
The document is translated and reviewed for completeness, names, dates, numbers, terminology and formatting.
Receive your files
Your completed digital translation is delivered, with certified printed copies arranged when requested.
Certified, notarised, sworn or apostilled?
These terms describe different processes. The correct option is normally the one specifically requested by the organisation receiving your Chinese document.
| Service | What it normally involves | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| Certified translation | Complete translation with a signed certification statement and relevant identifying details. |
Common starting point for many formal UK submissions.
View certified translation |
| Notarised translation | A certified translation followed by an additional notarial authentication stage. |
Choose when the receiving organisation specifically requests notarisation.
View notarised translation |
| Sworn translation | A translation prepared through the sworn-translator system recognised in certain jurisdictions. |
Relevant when the destination country's rules specifically require a sworn translator.
View sworn translation |
| Apostille / legalisation route | A separate authentication process applied where the document or eligible signature requires legalisation. |
Arrange only when the receiving authority or destination process requires it.
View apostille support |
Chinese certified translation prices and turnaround options
Standard certified translation currently starts from £40 per page. Faster published options are available for suitable documents, subject to document review and translator availability.
Need an exact price?
Send the complete file. The full price, service route and available delivery time are confirmed before translation begins.
Request your fixed quote →| Service | Indicative turnaround | Published certified starting rate | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 2 days | From £40/page | Documents without an immediate deadline |
| Express | 24 hours | From £119/page | Standard urgent requests |
| Urgent | 12 hours | From £134/page | Priority documents with a short deadline |
| Same Day | 2 hours during working hours | From £141/page | Eligible short documents requiring immediate priority |
What to send before your Chinese translation starts
A complete, readable source file makes it easier to confirm the correct price and realistic delivery time and reduces questions during translation.
Send these details
- Clear images or scans of every relevant page
- The intended receiving organisation and country
- Required Chinese or English language direction
- Preferred English spelling for personal names
- Your deadline and submission date
- Whether printed certified copies are required
Avoid these common delays
- Cropped document edges, stamps or seals
- Missing reverse sides or continuation pages
- Blurred photographs or reflective covers
- Different name spellings across documents
- Unclear certification requirements
- Only part of a multi-page document being sent
Details that matter in Chinese document translation
Chinese official documents can contain personal names, character-based addresses, stamps, seals, different date formats and repeated identifiers. Consistency across these details is important.
Chinese translation FAQs
Send the document together with the name of the receiving organisation if you are unsure about the correct certification format.
What is a certified Chinese translation in the UK?
It is a complete Chinese-to-English or English-to-Chinese translation accompanied by a signed certification statement. The certification identifies the translator or translation agency and includes the relevant date, signature and contact information.
How much does a certified Chinese translation cost?
Standard certified translation currently starts from £40 per page. Published faster starting rates are £119 per page for 24-hour service, £134 for 12-hour service and £141 for the two-hour option. The exact price is confirmed after the complete document has been reviewed.
Do you translate both Simplified and Traditional Chinese?
Yes. Documents written in Simplified or Traditional Chinese can be reviewed. For English-to-Chinese translation, tell us where the document will be used so the appropriate written version can be confirmed.
Can you translate Chinese into English and English into Chinese?
Both directions are available. For English-to-Chinese work, include the intended use and receiving organisation so the required written form can be established before translation begins.
Can a Chinese translation be prepared for UKVI or Home Office use?
Chinese documents can be prepared as certified English translations for formal UK submissions where certification is required. Tell us that the document is for UKVI or Home Office use and provide any instructions supplied with the application so the required format can be reviewed.
Can I send a photograph instead of a scanned PDF?
A clear photograph can be reviewed. Make sure the complete page is visible, the text is in focus and no stamps, seals, page numbers or edges have been cropped. A clearer copy may be requested if part of the document cannot be read reliably.
How quickly can a certified Chinese translation be completed?
Available published routes include two-day standard, 24-hour express, 12-hour urgent and a two-hour option for eligible documents during working hours. Availability depends on document length, complexity, readability, language direction and translator capacity.
Can I receive a printed hard copy?
Yes. A certified digital PDF can be supplied electronically and printed certified copies can be posted when requested. Confirm the delivery destination and whether a physical copy is required when sending your document.
Do I need certified, notarised or sworn Chinese translation?
The correct route depends on the receiving organisation and jurisdiction. A certified translation is a common starting point for UK submissions, while notarised, sworn or apostille-related services should be arranged when the receiving organisation specifically requests them.
Get a confirmed price for your Chinese translation
Upload the complete document and include the language direction, receiving organisation and deadline. The appropriate service, complete price and available delivery time will be confirmed before translation begins.