The first question in English translation: where will the document be submitted?
English is used in many countries and international organisations. Even so, the document requirements of a British university, a bank in another country and an official institution in Türkiye are not the same. In addition to “they want it in English”, share the full name of the institution, the type of application and any relevant guidelines. These details determine the certification and delivery format.
Universe Tercüme accepts English translation requests for personal documents and corporate projects. Documents such as passports, diplomas and transcripts involve different areas of expertise from contracts, company documents and technical texts. The purpose of a document affects the language of the text and the approach to terminology; translating an official document and localising marketing copy are not the same work.
What do “certified”, “sworn” and “notarized” mean?
Do not assume that these words, as they appear in English-language application lists, have a single universal meaning. A request for a “certified translation” may call for a statement of accuracy and the translator’s details. “Notarized” may involve an additional procedure at a notary office. Confirm with the receiving institution which authorisation and statement are sufficient.
For example, GOV.UK’s general guidance includes written confirmation that the translation is accurate, the date, and the translator’s name and contact details. This example shows that it is not correct to treat notarization in Türkiye as an automatic requirement for every English-language application. If your application has its own specific guidelines, check those as well as the general guidance.
Format and language preferences in English translation
| Topic | Information to share in advance |
|---|---|
| Spelling of names | The Latin-script form in the passport or relevant official record |
| Institution name | The institution’s official English name, if it has one |
| Language preference | Any guidance from the receiving institution on British or American English |
| File type | Need for a PDF, an editable file or a bilingual layout |
| Application | Country, institution, deadline and certification requirement |
Writing dates in numbers only can make the order of day and month ambiguous. Amounts, units and abbreviations should also be handled in a way that keeps the meaning of the source record. If an academic programme or company has an English name, it helps to share it; however, a different name is not created in place of the source.
Consistency in education and work files
In an education application, consider the diploma, transcript and identity document together. The programme name and personal details should support each other across documents. In a corporate project, consistency between contract definitions, product names, trade names and earlier translations is important. Include your approved reference files in your first submission.
If only a selected part of a file is to be translated, state the scope by page or clause number. For documents prepared for more than one target country, do not assume that a single translation can be used in the same way everywhere. Signature, declaration and copy requirements that vary between institutions can affect the delivery plan.
How should you send the document for a quote?
Send the complete document, legible and in its correct version. If the source language is English, state which procedure in Türkiye the document will be used for; if the target language is English, state which country and institution it will be submitted to. A quote can be prepared once the density, subject, editability and certification needs of the text have been seen. The requested delivery date and the application deadline are not the same thing; share both.
Frequently asked questions
Is an English translation accepted in the same way in every country?
No. Even when the target language is the same, an institution’s requirements on the translator, declaration, certification and delivery format may differ.
Do you also translate English texts into Turkish?
You can send us your English–Turkish requests. The scope is set after reviewing the document type, the purpose and the certification requirement.
My application list says “certified translation”. Do I need a notary?
That wording alone does not give a definite answer. Find out which form of verification the receiving institution accepts and share the relevant explanation.
Can we use the diploma’s official English programme name?
If there is one, send the school’s official naming as a reference. It is assessed while keeping consistency with the information on the source document.
Official sources and application information
Before you start, you can check the current requirements of the relevant institution through these sources.
This guide is for general information. Confirm the document and certification requirements for your application with the relevant institution, and include the current list of requirements in your translation request.