Certified Translation Services Pricing
Wondering How much do translation services cost? Best Language Services Ltd, offers the lowest certified translation services rates in the UK and internationally. This 2025 guide breaks down certified, standard, and express translation costs—with real examples—so you can budget accurately.
Standard Translation
| Language Pair | Price per Word |
|---|---|
| Common Languages (French, German, Spanish, Italian, etc.) | £0.10 – £0.15 |
| Less Common Languages (Swedish, Danish, Dutch, etc.) | £0.15 – £0.20 |
| Rare Languages (Asian, African, Eastern European, etc.) | £0.20 – £0.30 |
Delivery in 2-3 business days, subject to volume.
Certified Translation
| Document Type | Price per Page |
|---|---|
| Standard Certificate (Birth, Marriage, Degree, etc.) | £25 – £35 |
| Legal & Technical Documents (Contracts, Patents, etc.) | £35 – £50 |
Includes a signed certificate of accuracy. Delivery in 1-2 business days.
Notarised Translation
| Service | Price per Document |
|---|---|
| Notarisation Fee (Including Translation) | £50 – £80 |
| Additional Copies (If Required) | £10 – £20 |
Completed by a certified notary. Delivery in 1-3 business days.
Urgent Translation (Express Service)
| Turnaround Time | Surcharge |
|---|---|
| 24-Hour Delivery | +50% of total cost |
| 48-Hour Delivery | +30% of total cost |
Applies to all translation services.
Proofreading & Editing
| Service | Price per Word |
|---|---|
| Basic Proofreading | £0.05 – £0.07 |
| Advanced Editing (Style, Grammar, Clarity) | £0.07 – £0.10 |
Native-speaker reviewed. Delivery in 1-2 business days.
Interpreting Services
| Service Type | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Face-to-Face Interpreting | £40 – £80 |
| Telephone Interpreting | £1.50 – £3 per minute |
| Video Remote Interpreting | £30 – £60 per hour |
Minimum booking: 1 hour.
Transcription Services
| Audio Length | Price per Minute |
|---|---|
| Clear Audio (Single Speaker) | £1.00 – £1.50 |
| Complex Audio (Multiple Speakers, Accents) | £1.50 – £2.50 |
Includes time-stamped transcript. Delivery in 2-5 business days.
How Much Do Translation Services Cost? A Complete UK Pricing Guide
When searching for professional translation services, one of the first questions clients ask is: “How much do translation services cost?” Prices vary depending on language pairs, service types, urgency, and provider expertise. This comprehensive guide breaks down UK translation costs for 2024, helping you budget effectively for your project.
Understanding Translation Service Pricing Structures
Professional translators typically charge in one of three ways:
- Per word (most common for standard documents)
- Per page (common for certified translations)
- Per hour (typically for interpreting or complex editing)
UK Translation Costs Breakdown
1. Standard Translation Rates
- Common languages (French, German, Spanish): £0.10–£0.15 per word
- Less common languages (Dutch, Swedish): £0.15–£0.20 per word
- Rare languages (Asian, African languages): £0.20–£0.30 per word
A 1,000-word document in French would typically cost £100–£150.
2. Certified Translation Costs
- Standard certificates: £25–£35 per page (See ITI’s certification guide)
- Legal/technical documents: £35–£50 per page
Certified translations include a signed statement of accuracy, required for UK visa applications.
3. Notarised Translation Fees
- Basic notarisation: £50–£80 per document (Source: Notaries Society)
- Additional copies: £10–£20 each
Essential for legal proceedings or international document submissions.
How Much Do Translation Services Cost Per Hour?
Hourly rates apply mainly to:
- Interpreting services: £40–£80/hour (Benchmarked via CIOL rates)
- Complex editing/proofreading: £30–£60/hour
- Urgent projects may incur 30–50% premium
Translation Rates Per Page (UK)
Page rates are common for:
- Certified documents (birth certificates, diplomas)
- Legal contracts
- Medical records
Average cost: £25–50 per page depending on complexity
Finding Cheap Translation Services (Without Sacrificing Quality)
While cheap translation services UK providers exist (some as low as £0.05/word), consider:
✅ Native-speaking translators (Find ITI members)
✅ Industry-specific expertise (e.g., medical translation specialists)
✅ Data security measures
Tip: Some agencies offer discounts for large volumes or repeat business.
Certified Translation Costs: What to Expect
Cheap certified translation services often start around £20/page, but prices vary by:
- Document type (legal documents cost more)
- Language pair (rare languages cost more)
- Urgency (24-hour service may double costs)
Key Factors Affecting Translation Costs
- Language combination (Swahili costs more than Spanish)
- Subject matter (medical/legal texts require specialists)
- Formatting requirements (desktop publishing adds cost)
- Turnaround time (express services cost 30–50% more)
How Much Does It Cost to Translate a Document?
Example scenarios:
- Birth certificate (1 page): £25–35 certified
- Business contract (10 pages): £300–500
- Website (5,000 words): £500–750
Pro tip: Always request free quotes as many providers price differently.
Saving Money on Translation Services
- Provide editable files (not PDFs when possible)
- Avoid last-minute requests
- Bundle multiple documents
- Use CAT tool-friendly formats
Choosing the Right Translation Service
While cost matters, also consider:
- Accreditation (ISO 17100 certified providers)
- Turnaround time
- Data protection policies
- Customer reviews
Conclusion: Balancing Cost and Quality
Understanding how much translation services cost helps budget effectively. While prices vary from £0.05–£0.30 per word in the UK, the best value comes from providers offering the right balance of quality, speed, and expertise for your specific needs.
For precise pricing, most reputable agencies provide free, no-obligation quotes within 24 hours.
