Do apostilled UK articles need a sworn translation?

9 December 2026

Apostilled UK articles may need a translation for use abroad, but whether it must be sworn, certified or simply prepared by an accepted translator is decided by the recipient and destination process. Apostille and translation are separate steps.

This Advice Centre guide is practical document information, not legal advice, an immigration opinion, a banking decision or a promise of foreign acceptance. Ask the named recipient for its current written checklist before ordering.

Short answer

Apostilled UK articles may need a translation for use abroad, but whether it must be sworn, certified or simply prepared by an accepted translator is decided by the recipient and destination process. Apostille and translation are separate steps. The safe approach is to identify the correct company, document, issue date and recipient requirement before paying for certification or delivery.

What the apostille does

An apostille authenticates the relevant signature, seal or status. It does not translate articles, confirm foreign-law compliance or guarantee bank acceptance. Ask whether the recipient needs full articles, extracts, certified copies or another company document.

Why order matters

Some recipients want the apostille on the original or certified document with translation alongside. Others want a translation certified or legalised separately. Ask whether the translation must reproduce stamps, seals and apostille wording.

What sworn means

Sworn translation is not a single worldwide standard. A destination may demand a translator’s declaration, locally recognised translator, certification, notarisation or embassy approval. Do not promise equivalence without checking.

Prepare the articles

Articles may contain schedules, tables, seals and amendments. Confirm whether the current full version is required. Preserve numbering and page order, and never edit legal text to shorten it unless an extract is expressly accepted.

Will a bank accept informal translation

Some banks accept an informative translation for review; authorities may demand a formal standard. Ask the named reviewer whether it accepts a translator-certified English-to-local-language version and whether further legalisation is required.

Build the delivery pack

Include source articles, certified copy if applicable, apostille, translation and translator certification. State whether the translation is complete. A translation improves access but does not expand what the articles prove.

Practical checklist

• Use the exact registered company name, number and company type.
• Review the live Companies House record and recent filing history.
• Ask the recipient what the document must prove, how recent it must be and whether it accepts paper or electronic format.
• Confirm apostille, translation, embassy and courier requirements before paying.
• Keep the order confirmation, issued document and legalisation evidence together.
• Index the pack without claiming that a certificate proves ownership, solvency or authority unless it actually does.

Official fees and sources

Check the live GOV.UK guidance on ordering certified copies and certificates from Companies House before ordering. The current working figures for this batch are £22 for a standard Companies House certificate and £65 for a same-day certificate. These are official charges, not an agent’s full service price.

Where legalisation is needed, the live GOV.UK document legalisation guidance lists £45 for a paper apostille, £35 for an e-Apostille, £40 for Next-Day and £100 for Restricted Urgent where the relevant conditions apply. Certification, translation, courier, postage and any later embassy stage can be separate. Do not describe a provider as an FCDO partner unless current official terms expressly support that wording.

Freshness is a recipient rule

There is no universal 90-day legal expiry for every Certificate of Good Standing. About 90 days is a common recipient habit, but a bank, authority or counterparty may specify 30, 60, 180 days or a document issued after a particular filing. An apostille authenticates the relevant signature, seal or status; it does not refresh company information. Check the recipient’s written rule and the live Companies House record before presentation.

Questions to settle before payment

Ask the receiving organisation to confirm the exact document title, the legal entity, the maximum document age and the accepted delivery format. Ask whether it wants an original, a Companies House certified copy, a solicitor-certified copy or an electronic file. If the document will be used outside the UK, ask whether an apostille is enough or whether translation, embassy legalisation or local filing follows. Put the reply in the order file; a short written answer is more useful than an assumption based on a similar transaction.

Also check the practical hand-offs. Who will receive the certificate? Does the bank or authority need the complete pack uploaded in one session? Will it accept a scan for preliminary review and request originals later? Is a courier address different from the registered office? These details affect timing and can prevent a correctly issued document being sent to the wrong place. Keep tracking information and delivery confirmation with the final pack.

Keep the scope clear

A company certificate is one piece of evidence. It should not be described as a guarantee of incorporation history, ownership, financial health, tax compliance, authority to sign or permission to trade unless the document and recipient specifically establish that point. If a reviewer asks a question the certificate cannot answer, add the separate evidence it requests or obtain professional advice. Clear wording protects the client from relying on a document for a purpose it was never designed to meet.

Frequently asked questions

Does every apostilled article need sworn translation?

No. The recipient decides.

Does apostille certify the translation?

Not automatically.

Translate before apostille?

Ask because sequence depends on the route.

Can I translate only signature page?

Only with recipient approval.

Is translation legal advice?

No. Corporate effect questions need qualified advice.

UKCOGS can help coordinate the relevant document route. See the Certificate of Good Standing service, apostille and legalisation information, order page or request a quote. Service prices and delivery times are separate from official fees, and the receiving organisation makes its own decision.