Official Criminal Record Translation | Fast, Certified, & Secure

What Is a Criminal Record Translation?

A criminal record translation is a type of professional, certified translation of judicial, police, or background check records and extracts, including an ACRO Police Certificate, police clearance certificate, DBS police check, or certificate of good conduct, into English or another language required by the applicant.

As police, criminal, and judicial background checks are performed in different jurisdictions worldwide, criminal record translations may contain various terms and elements, depending on the territory where the applicant is lawfully resident or present. For instance, depending on the country, a criminal record certificate might be called:

• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) or Police Certificate: Standard background checks issued by national or local police forces.
• ACRO Police Certificate: The specific police certificate issued by ACRO Criminal Records Office in the UK.
• Certificate of Good Conduct: A document confirming an individual’s conduct or criminal-record status, depending on the issuing country.
• Criminal Record Certificate or Extract: Formal court or judicial records detailing past convictions, or confirming that no record exists.

Certified Criminal Record Translation for Official Use

A reliable criminal record check translation is critical when presenting judicial background history to government authorities, employers, or courts. However, submitting a criminal record document in the wrong language can cause unnecessary delays. Our translation service in the UK provides accurate translations of official criminal record and police documents for use in the UK and internationally.

Our professional translators accurately translate the information on your original document, including names, dates, reference numbers, issuing authorities, stamps, and relevant criminal record terminology.  

Whether you need a criminal record translation UK service for an immigration application or need to translate a criminal record certificate into English, we can help you choose the right translation and certification level for your intended use. Where required, certified translations include the relevant certification details for submission to an authority.

Criminal Record and Police Documents We Translate

Criminal record documents could be called different things depending on the country or authority that issues them. Whether you need a specialised ACRO police certificate translation for international authorities or a standard background report, our expert linguists translate every detail with care.

Our criminal record translation service covers a wide range of documents, including:

• Criminal record certificates and extracts
• Police clearance certificates
• Police certificates
• ACRO Police Certificates
• Certificates of good conduct
• Criminal record checks
• Background-check certificates
• Other official police or criminal-record documents

We can translate your document for a visa and immigration application, employment background check, work registration, legal reasons, or another official purpose.

Our criminal record translators will be able to work with the language on your document to ensure that all relevant information from your certificate is maintained during the translation. This is especially important if the document has specific legal terms, refers to a conviction, or includes dates, personal information, or the issuing authority.

If you are unsure whether your document requires a police clearance certificate translation or another type of certified translation, upload it along with the necessary information about where it will be submitted to receive assistance from our support team.

What Is the Difference Between Criminal Record Translation And Police Clearance Translation?

A criminal record translation generally refers to translating an official document that contains information about an individual’s criminal record or confirms that no criminal record exists. 

A police clearance translation usually refers to translating a certificate or document issued by a police or law-enforcement authority that confirms an individual’s criminal-record status.

For example, you may need a translation of:

Terminology for these documents can vary from country to country; one country’s police clearance certificate can be equivalent to another’s criminal record certificate or police certificate.

When applying for police clearance certificate translation, please provide the full document and tell us where it will be submitted so we can advise you on the correct form of translation and certification applicable to your needs.

For UK immigration purposes, the key consideration is the requirements of your specific visa route. Where an overseas criminal record certificate is required, and the certificate is not in English or Welsh, Home Office guidance requires a translated copy that meets the relevant Immigration Rules requirements.

Who May Need a Criminal Record Translation?

Our service can be useful for:

• UK visa and immigration applicants.
• Individuals submitting overseas police clearance certificates.
• Applicants providing criminal record evidence from another country.
• Employers or organisations reviewing overseas criminal records.
• Individuals submitting official documents to UK authorities.
• Solicitors and legal professionals handling immigration matters.
• Applicants submitting official criminal record certificate translation for visa processing with international embassies or immigration boards. 

The required documents depend on the specific case and the requesting authority. For instance, the Home Office publishes guidance concerning overseas criminal records certificates for various immigration or visa categories. Order online now to get started with our certified translation services for your official paperwork!

Does My Police Clearance Certificate Need To Be Translated Into English?

Our police clearance translation UK services include the translator certification and contact details required under UKVI guidance. 

Always check what documents must be included for your particular application type to avoid additional administrative delays.

What If My Criminal Record Certificate Contains No Criminal Record?

A criminal record certificate may not necessarily include details of convictions. Some of the issued certificates declare that there are no records of conviction to show for the given individual in the document.

You should still get the full certificate translated if they are requested by the receiving authority. It is a must to translate the statement of no finding of convictions alongside the rest of the document, and it shouldn’t be deliberately removed.

This is important because the translated document should show the certificate as presented. It may include:

• Your full name and personal details
• Certificate or reference number
• Issue date
• Issuing an authority
• A statement confirming that no criminal record was found
• Official wording, stamps or other information relevant to the certificate
• The translator’s certification, where required

If you do not have any criminal convictions recorded, that does not mean that the document itself can be exempt from a translation requirement. Where the certificate required in your application is not in English or Welsh, the translated copy must satisfy the required criteria.

Can a “No Criminal Record” Certificate Be Translated for a UK Visa?

Yes. If your application requires a translation, the certificate of no criminal record does not exempt you from the need for a translation.

If you have been issued a police clearance certificate with no criminal record, please submit the entire document (not just the relevant portion) for translation. This will enable the translator to accurately reproduce the information contained in the certificate and prepare the necessary certified criminal record translation for your specific purpose.

How Can I Avoid My Criminal Record Translation Being Rejected?

A criminal record translation may cause delays or complications if it is incomplete, inaccurate, or doesn’t meet the requirements of the organisation in receipt of it. This is particularly important when you are submitting a criminal record translation for a UK visa, immigration application, employment check, or other official purpose.

To avoid rejection, watch for these common issues:

Missing pages or information: 

Whenever the full translation of the document is required, all the pages of the original certificate should be provided for translation. A missing stamp, note, data, reference number, or any other page can lead to an incomplete or incorrect translation.

Incorrect names or personal details: 

Personal information, including names of the applicants, dates of birth, certificate numbers, addresses, and other details, should remain the same.

Poor-quality source documents: 

Poor quality of the documents, including low scan quality, pages that are cut off, or stamps and seals that cannot be read, can affect the quality of translation.

Incorrect or inconsistent terminology: 

Criminal record documents include legal and administrative terminology. The incorrect use of terms may affect the interpretation of the translated text. 

Missing certification details: 

Depending on the country and territory, documents may require different types of certification. Translations should include all details required by the authorities. In the case of the UK, specific instructions should be followed.

Using the wrong type of service: 

Each document requires a specific type of translation. Certified translation, notarisation, and apostille are a few examples of the services that may be required. It is crucial to request an appropriate service.

Not checking the receiving authority’s requirements: 

Requirements can differ according to the visa route, organisation, country, and purpose of the document.

For example, Home Office guidance states that if a required overseas criminal record certificate is not in English or Welsh, you must provide a translated copy that meets the relevant Immigration Rules requirements.

Our professional translators carefully preserve the information and terminology contained in your original document. If you are unsure what type of certified criminal record translation you need, include details about where you will submit the document when requesting your quote.

What Our Certified Criminal Record Translation Includes

Our certified criminal record translation service is designed for documents that require accuracy and appropriate certification. Depending on your requirements, the service can include:

• Translation by a professional linguist.
• Accurate translation of the document’s written content.
• Careful handling of names, dates, numbers, reference details, and official terminology.
• Basic formatting for readability.
• Translator certification where required.
• Signed and stamped certification where applicable.
• Delivery as a non-editable PDF for certified translations.

Why Choose Us for Criminal Record Translation?

We Specialise in 200+ Languages

What Documents Do I Need To Provide For Criminal Record Translation?

To ensure that your document background check translation comes out clearly and concisely translated, make sure to include the following information and documents:

Complete Document Scans: You will receive high-resolution scans or photos of every single paper with clear visibility of all the stamps, seals, and notes on the margins. Make sure that nothing is torn or clipped off.

All Stamps & Signatures: Bring every trace of the issuing authority’s confirmation that this document is legitimate and officially issued. All the holograms, stamps, and signatures have to be clearly visible.

Language Specifications: Clearly specify which language the documents need to be translated from and to (e.g., French to English). It is also essential to mention the target recipient of the translation.

Recipient Authority Details: The recipient can vary from UKVI, foreign embassies, and your employer, depending on the documents. Mention the specific authority for which you are asked to provide the background check.

How Our Online Criminal Record Translation Process Works

Hire a Translator for Other Documents That You Might Need

Accepted By UK Authorities

Brands We’ve Worked With

Frequently Asked Questions