Turkish Criminal Record Certificate Translation UK (Certified)
Asked for a criminal record check from Türkiye? I provide certified English translations of the Turkish criminal record certificate (adli sicil kaydı, often called a sabıka kaydı) for UK visa applications, employers, regulators and overseas checks. Translations start from £30, with a standard 1–2 business day turnaround.
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 over a translation issue, and signed copies posted anywhere in the UK. Find out why it matters.
What the Turkish criminal record certificate is
The adli sicil kaydı is issued by the Ministry of Justice, through its Directorate General of Criminal Records and Statistics, and shows whether a person has any recorded convictions in Türkiye. Where there are none, it says so in a single line; where there are, it lists the court, the offence and the sentence. You may also come across an archive record (arşiv kaydı), which can hold older entries, so check which one the recipient wants. Both are certificates of the criminal register — not a police document — and I translate them as such.
How to get one from the UK
- Online through e-Devlet (turkiye.gov.tr), if you have an e-Devlet password or a Turkish e-signature. The printout carries a barcode and verification code, which the recipient can check online and which I reproduce in the translation.
- Through the Turkish Consulate General in London, which GOV.UK lists as the route for applicants outside Türkiye. Allow several weeks.
- In person in Türkiye, at any courthouse prosecutor’s office (Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı), usually issued on the spot.
Many recipients want a certificate issued within the last few months, so get it close to when you will submit it. If the recipient asks for an apostille, add it in Türkiye first — an electronic apostille is available for this document — and it will be translated along with the certificate.
When you need it translated
- Skilled Worker visas in health, education and social care. Applicants for some of these jobs must provide a criminal record certificate from each country they have lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years. The Home Office’s guidance explains who this applies to.
- Overseas checks for UK employers. Schools, NHS trusts, care providers and others often ask for a certificate from Türkiye alongside a DBS check, because a DBS check only covers UK records.
- Licensing and regulators. Bodies such as the SIA, taxi and private hire licensing authorities and professional regulators may ask for overseas criminal records.
- Adoption, fostering and childminding applications.
- Courts and solicitors, where your record in Türkiye is relevant to a case.
What’s included
- A full translation that mirrors the layout of your document, including stamps, seals, barcodes and reference numbers
- A signed and dated certificate of translation confirming accuracy
- My Chartered Linguist (CIOL) and ITI membership details, so the recipient can check who I am
- Digital delivery (PDF with digital stamp) as standard; a posted hard copy with embossed stamp and wet signature on request (+£15 per order), sent by Royal Mail First Class 24 Hour Tracked and Signed For Delivery
A criminal record certificate is sensitive. I handle it in confidence, translate it myself without passing it to anyone else, and delete your files once the job is complete unless you ask me to keep them.
Turnaround and pricing
Criminal record certificate translations start from £30 per one page document, with a standard turnaround of 1–2 business days. A certificate that lists several entries may run to more than one page; I will confirm a fixed price before any work begins.
How it works
- Send a clear scan or photo of the criminal record certificate through the contact form, by email or on WhatsApp, and tell me where it will be submitted
- Receive a fixed quote and delivery date, usually within a few hours during working hours
- Get your certified translation as a PDF, with a posted hard copy if the recipient needs paper
Frequently asked questions
My e-Devlet certificate is available in English. Do I still need a translation?
If the recipient accepts the English version issued by the Turkish authorities, you may not. Many UK organisations, however, ask for the Turkish certificate with a certified translation, so they can see the original and know who translated it. Check what yours wants; if in doubt, send me the Turkish version and I will advise.
Will the Home Office accept your translation?
My certified translations include everything the Home Office asks for: a full translation, the translator’s confirmation that it is accurate, the date, my full name and signature, and my contact details and credentials. Acceptance is always the recipient’s decision, so check the guidance for your application.
Is it called a criminal record certificate or a police certificate?
In Türkiye it comes from the Ministry of Justice, not the police, so I translate it as a criminal record certificate. If a UK form asks for a “police certificate” or “certificate of good conduct” from Türkiye, this is the document they mean.
How recent does it need to be?
That depends on the recipient. Many ask for a certificate issued within the last six months, and some for a shorter period. Check before you apply for it.
Can you translate it the same day?
Often, yes. Tell me your deadline when you ask for a quote and I will confirm whether it can be met.
Can I get a hard copy with a wet signature?
Yes, for an additional £15 per order, sent by Royal Mail First Class 24 Hour Tracked and Signed For Delivery.
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 for your criminal record certificate translation — send a scan and I’ll come back with a fixed price and delivery date.
See also: UK visa and Home Office translations · Turkish diploma and degree certificate translation · Turkish driving licence translation · Certified Turkish translation UK
