Turkish-English and English-Turkish Translation: Frequently Asked Questions

Look for someone who is a member of a recognised body such as the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIOL) or the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), and who holds ISO 17100:2015 certification — the international quality standard for translation services. I hold both memberships and this certification, alongside 20+ years of experience translating between English and Turkish.

A certified translation comes with a signed statement confirming it is an accurate and complete rendering of the original document, which is what most UK institutions (visa applications, universities, employers) require. A sworn or notarised translation involves an additional legal step — typically a notary or solicitor witnessing the translator’s declaration — and is more common in some European legal systems than in the UK. For a fuller explanation, see my guide: Certified vs Sworn, Notarised, Legalised and Apostilled.

Yes — UK Home Office, universities, and many legal and official bodies require certified translations for documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, and legal contracts. As a CIOL and ITI member with ISO 17100:2015 certification, I provide translations accepted for these purposes. For what each application usually needs, see certified Turkish translation for UK visa and Home Office applications. For a fuller explanation, see my guide: Certified vs Sworn, Notarised, Legalised and Apostilled.

Websites, apps and software, marketing and creative materials, subtitles and video/audio transcription, personal and official documents, and general business content — in both English-to-Turkish and Turkish-to-English directions.

Turnaround depends on document length and complexity. Get in touch with details of your project and I’ll agree a realistic delivery timeline with you before starting.

Yes — I specialise in technical English–Turkish translation for sectors including oil and gas, financial and commodity markets, and hospitality. This includes technical manuals, safety documentation, product specifications, and industry-specific terminology where accuracy and consistency matter most.

Yes. I work with businesses on an ongoing basis, including ongoing bilingual copywriting and localisation work for international brands, so I can build up terminology consistency and brand voice over time rather than treating each document as a one-off.

Alongside general business and legal translation, my services cover website and app translation, marketing and creative translation, transcreation, localisation, subtitling, transcription, and voice over. With over 20 years in the industry, I bring deep understanding of metalanguage and a strong focus on marketing and creative content, helping accurately convey tone and intent while preserving brand consistency for Turkish-speaking audiences.

Yes — for clients who need Turkish-language content that reads naturally rather than a literal translation (marketing pages, hotel or hospitality content, product messaging), I offer bilingual copywriting so the Turkish version works as its own piece of writing, not just a converted document.

Yes — while I’m based in the UK and well placed to support UK institutions and requirements, I work with clients across Europe and internationally who need English–Turkish translation or copywriting.

Depending on the type of work, sometimes it might be necessary to make 50% of the payment upfront. Payments are usually made using bank transfer (faster payments) in most circumstances. Different payment methods can be discussed at the initial phase of the project before commencement of any work. For international bank transfers I recommend using WISE due to lower fees. I also accept payment via PayPal.

Yes. A certified translation is only as reliable as the person who signs it. The organisation receiving your document relies on the translator’s statement that the translation is true and complete — if they can’t identify or verify the translator, they can ask for a new translation or refuse the document.

Technically, yes. Unlike Türkiye, which has sworn translators (yeminli tercüman) and notary approval, the UK has no state-appointed translators. GOV.UK guidance asks for a statement confirming the translation is accurate, the date, and the translator’s full name, signature and contact details. In practice, though, many organisations expect the translator to belong to a recognised professional body — and some insist on it. The safest choice is a translator whose qualifications anyone can check.

Usually a delay while you order a new translation — which can mean a missed visa deadline, a postponed passport application or a court date pushed back. You may also end up paying twice, and some application fees are non-refundable.

CIOL (Chartered Institute of Linguists) — look for MCIL or FCIL, and “Chartered Linguist” (CL) for the highest level.
ITI (Institute of Translation & Interpreting) — look for MITI or FITI, the qualified, assessed grades.
ATC (Association of Translation Companies) — the UK trade body for translation agencies.
Note that some membership grades, such as associate, affiliate or student, are open to people who haven’t passed a professional assessment — the grade matters, not just the logo.

Ask for their membership number and look them up in the CIOL or ITI online directory. Check that the name on the certificate matches the member, and that they translate the document themselves rather than passing it on to someone else. Be careful with websites that say “certified” without naming any professional body, or that show logos without membership numbers. And make sure you can reach them — if the receiving organisation has a question, the translator must be contactable.

A signed and dated certificate of translation, a statement that the translation is true and complete, my qualifications and CIOL/ITI membership numbers, my contact details and an official stamp. Hard copies also get a wet signature and embossed stamp. I do every translation myself, with no subcontracting, and if a UK authority rejects my translation because of a translation issue, I correct it free of charge.

Not always. Turkish authorities may need a sworn, notarised or apostilled translation instead. See my guide: Certified vs Sworn, Notarised, Legalised and Apostilled.

I work Monday to Thursday, 8am–8pm, and Friday and Saturday, 8am–5pm (UK time). You can message me with any questions during those hours. Messages sent on Sunday are answered on Monday morning.

I usually reply within an hour during working hours, whether you get in touch by email, WhatsApp, phone or the contact form.

If you are in the UK, yes. I am based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, and work on UK time, so there is no waiting overnight for an answer from another continent.

With a UK-based Chartered Linguist you get a translator you can phone, email or WhatsApp, bound by CIOL and ITI codes of conduct. Every translation is done and signed by me personally, with no subcontracting; I correct it free of charge if a UK authority rejects it because of a translation issue; signed paper copies can be posted by Royal Mail anywhere in the UK; and your documents are deleted once the job is complete. See why a UK-based Chartered Linguist matters for more.

Certified translations 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). You receive the translation as a PDF with a digital stamp and a signed certificate of translation.

Yes. If you need a hard copy translation with a physical stamp and wet signature, there is an additional charge of £15 for this service (per order, not per document). Hard copy translations are sent by Royal Mail First Class 24 Hour Tracked and Signed For Delivery.

Apart from specific documents and short, one-page documents, documents with multiple pages are priced at £0.10 per word. Send me a copy of your document and I will give you a clear, fixed quote before any work begins.

Digital-only translation with digital stamp and certificate of translation: £55. Digital translation plus a hard copy with embossed stamp and wet signature on each page, and a certificate of translation with wet signature: £70. Same-day requests: standard fee plus £20 (includes postage via Royal Mail First Class 24 Hour Tracked and Signed For Delivery on the same day or the following morning). These rates cover the first four pages of the booklet, up to and including Field 19, “Çeşitli Açıklamalar” (Miscellaneous Notes). See Turkish marriage certificate translation for more details.