Certified English to Turkish Translation (CIOL & ITI)
If you have an English document that needs to work in Turkish, whether for a Turkish employer, an insurer, a business partner, a court, or a Turkish-speaking audience here in the UK, you need more than an accurate translation. You need one that is certified properly, formatted to match the original, and produced by someone whose credentials the receiving organisation can check.
I am a Chartered Linguist (MCIL), a qualified member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (MITI), and an ISO 17100:2015 qualified translator, and I hold a Diploma in Translation (DipTransIoLET). Certified English to Turkish translation is work I have been doing for over twenty years.
Why a UK-based Chartered Linguist? Every certified translation is done and signed by me personally — no subcontracting — with free correction if a UK authority rejects it and signed copies posted anywhere in the UK. Find out why it matters.
What will the recipient accept?
This is the question worth settling first, because it decides where the work should be done.
If your document is going to an official Turkish government body, such as a nüfus müdürlüğü, a court, the tapu office, SGK, a work or residence permit application, a citizenship application, or YÖK for diploma denklik, Turkish rules require a translation by a sworn translator (yeminli tercüman) registered with a Turkish notary, carrying notary approval (noter onayı). A translation certified in the UK is not accepted for those, whoever has produced it, so the translation is best arranged in Turkey.
If your document is going to a private organisation, such as a Turkish employer, insurer, hospital, school, landlord, bank or business counterparty, or to a UK organisation that needs a Turkish version, a properly certified translation from a qualified professional is what is wanted, and that is what I provide.
If you are not sure which applies, ask the organisation receiving the document what form of certification they need and tell me what they say. If it turns out I am not the right route for it, I will say so.
Apostille and translation: the order matters
If your English document needs to be recognised in Turkey, have it apostilled first and translated second.
The apostille is issued by the FCDO and attaches to the original document, confirming that the signature or seal on it is genuine. Turkey has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 2004, so an apostille is enough on its own and no further consular legalisation is needed. Once it is attached, the translation can cover the apostille as well as the document, which is what the receiving authority expects to see.
Translate first and the apostille usually has to be translated separately afterwards. I do not handle the apostille itself, which goes through the FCDO or a legalisation agent, but tell me the document is heading to Turkey and I will prepare the translation in a form that fits the process.
Not sure whether you need a certified, notarised or apostilled translation? Read my guide: Certified vs Sworn, Notarised, Legalised and Apostilled.
Documents I translate into Turkish
- Employment contracts, offer letters, HR policies and staff handbooks
- Commercial contracts, terms and conditions, supplier and distribution agreements
- Company documents, including articles, board resolutions and certificates of incorporation
- Insurance policies, claims correspondence and loss adjuster reports
- Medical reports, discharge summaries and patient information for Turkish-speaking patients
- Court documents, witness statements and legal correspondence
- Academic transcripts, references and course materials
- Technical documentation, manuals, safety instructions and compliance material
- Public information material for councils, NHS trusts, schools and charities serving Turkish-speaking residents
For UK organisations with Turkish-speaking clients
There are around 500,000 Turkish speakers in the UK. If your organisation writes to them, whether that is a council explaining a housing decision, an NHS trust issuing patient information, a solicitor corresponding with a client or an insurer setting out a policy, the Turkish version needs to carry the same meaning, tone and legal weight as the English.
This is a large part of my English to Turkish work, and it is where the transcreation side matters as much as the certification: a document that is technically accurate but reads as translated does not do its job. I have produced this kind of material for the NHS, and translated the UK Border Agency’s Turkish-language visa information.
Turnaround and pricing
Certified translations of personal documents start from £30 per one page document (applies to digitally delivered translations of short, one page documents such as diplomas, degree certificates or birth certificates), with a standard turnaround of 1–2 business days. Contracts, corporate and technical documents are quoted individually on length and complexity. Send me the document or a clear scan and I will come back with a fixed price and a delivery date before any work starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a UK certified translation be accepted by Turkish government offices?
Usually not. Turkish official bodies require a translation produced by a sworn translator (yeminli tercüman) registered with a Turkish notary, carrying notary approval (noter onayı). That applies to civil registry offices, courts, the land registry, work and residence permit applications, citizenship applications and YÖK diploma equivalence. For those, the translation needs to be done in Turkey. A UK certified translation is the right choice for private organisations, commercial documents, and UK bodies that need a Turkish version. For a fuller explanation, see my guide: Certified vs Sworn, Notarised, Legalised and Apostilled.
Should I get the apostille before or after the translation?
Before. The apostille attaches to the original English document and confirms that the signature or seal on it is genuine. Once it is attached, the translation can cover the apostille as well as the document itself, which is what the receiving authority expects to see. If you translate first, the apostille usually has to be translated separately afterwards. For a fuller explanation, see my guide: Certified vs Sworn, Notarised, Legalised and Apostilled.
Does Turkey accept apostilled UK documents?
Yes. Turkey has been a party to the Hague Apostille Convention since 2004, so a UK document carrying an FCDO apostille needs no further consular legalisation to be recognised in Turkey. For a fuller explanation, see my guide: Certified vs Sworn, Notarised, Legalised and Apostilled.
What is the difference between a certified, a sworn and a notarised translation?
A certified translation carries a signed statement from the translator confirming that it is accurate and complete, together with their credentials. A sworn translation (yeminli tercüme) is produced by a translator formally registered with a notary or court in the destination country. A notarised translation (noter onaylı) is a sworn translation whose signature has then been certified by a notary. Turkish authorities generally require the third; UK authorities generally accept the first. For a fuller explanation, see my guide: Certified vs Sworn, Notarised, Legalised and Apostilled.
I need my DBS check translated for use in Turkey. What should I do?
Have the DBS certificate apostilled by the FCDO first, then arrange the Turkish translation in Turkey through a sworn translator with notary approval. A criminal record check is almost always going to an official body, such as a residence permit, work permit or citizenship application, so the notarised route is what will be asked for.
Does the Turkish Consulate in London translate documents itself?
For its own procedures, yes. The Consulate General states that it does not require external sworn translation of official documents issued by English authorities and carries out those translations itself. If your business is with the consulate, it is worth contacting them before paying for a translation.
Can you translate documents for YÖK diploma equivalence (denklik)?
YÖK requires diploma and transcript translations to carry Turkish notary approval or approval by a Turkish diplomatic mission, so a UK certified translation is not sufficient on its own. Arrange the apostille in the UK before you travel, and have the translation done in Turkey.
Which documents will a Turkish employer or insurer accept a UK certified translation for?
Private organisations set their own requirements and generally accept a certified translation from a qualified professional translator. That covers employment contracts, references, insurance policies and claims, medical reports, commercial agreements and company documents. It is always worth asking the recipient to confirm before ordering.
Is there a way to make a UK translation valid for use in Turkey?
Sometimes. A translation certified before a UK notary public and then apostilled by the FCDO carries an apostille legalising the signature of the notary, and some Turkish recipients accept this. It costs more than having the translation done in Turkey, so confirm with the receiving organisation before going down that route. For a fuller explanation, see my guide: Certified vs Sworn, Notarised, Legalised and Apostilled.
How long does a certified English to Turkish translation take?
Personal documents and certificates are normally ready within 1–2 business days. Longer contracts, technical and corporate documents are scheduled individually, and I agree the delivery date with you before starting.
How much does certified English to Turkish translation cost?
Certified translations of personal documents start from £30 per one page document (applies to digitally delivered translations of short, one page documents such as diplomas, degree certificates or birth certificates). A hard copy with a physical stamp and wet signature, posted by Royal Mail First Class 24 Hour Tracked and Signed For Delivery, is an additional £15 per order. Apart from specific documents and short, one-page documents, documents with multiple pages are priced at £0.10 per word. Send me the document or a clear scan and I will give you a fixed price before any work begins.
Do you translate for UK organisations writing to Turkish speakers?
Yes, and it is a substantial part of my English to Turkish work. Councils, NHS trusts, schools, insurers, solicitors and charities all need Turkish versions that carry the same meaning and tone as the English original. I have produced this kind of material for the NHS, and translated the UK Border Agency’s Turkish-language visa information.
Why should I use a qualified translator for my certified translation?
In the UK, anyone can call themselves a certified translator. If the organisation receiving your document can’t verify who translated it, they may reject it — which can mean delays and paying twice. Choosing a translator who belongs to a recognised body such as the CIOL or ITI gives your translation credentials that anyone can check.
How can I check your credentials?
I’m a Chartered Linguist and member of the CIOL (no. 42759) and a qualified member of the ITI (no. 8695). You can look me up in both bodies’ public directories, and my membership details appear on every certificate of translation I issue.
Get a quote
Send me your document and tell me who it is going to, and I will confirm whether a UK certified translation is what they need, then quote you a fixed price and a delivery date. Get in touch.
Working the other way? See Certified Turkish Translation UK and Turkish to English Document Translation. For subject-specific work, see Legal Translation, Medical Translation and Business & Corporate Translation.