In short
- The Irish Immigration Service accepts certified translations from a translator or translation company with an established professional reputation.
- Each translation carries the statement "Certified to be true copy/translation of the original seen by me", with the signature, date, printed name, occupation, address and phone number of the certifier.
- Irish visa checklists say self-translation is not accepted, so use an independent professional translator.
- A certified translation is different from a certified copy, which a solicitor, notary or commissioner for oaths can make of your original.
Moving to Ireland, bringing family over or applying for Irish citizenship all mean sending documents to the Irish Immigration Service. If your certificates come from Greece, Cyprus, Albania, Kosovo or a French-speaking country, each one needs a certified English translation in the format Ireland asks for.
This guide explains what that format is, who can provide it, and what to check before you submit.
What makes a translation "certified" in Ireland?
The Irish Immigration Service publishes its own guidance on certified translations. It asks for the statement "Certified to be true copy/translation of the original seen by me" to be written on the document, together with:
- the signature and the date
- the printed name under the signature
- the occupation, address and telephone number of the certifier
The occupation is the detail most often missing from translations prepared for other countries. A UK or US style certificate usually gives the translator's name and contact details, but not always their occupation, so check that yours includes it.
Who can make a certified translation?
According to the Irish Immigration Service, a translator or translation company may make certified translations if they have "an established professional reputation and strong relationships with official organisations".
Some Irish visa office checklists are stricter about who should not translate. The New Delhi visa office checklist, for example, says documents must be "translated into English by an official translation company" and that "self-translation" is not accepted. The safest choice for any application is an independent professional translator, not you or a family member.
Certified copy or certified translation?
These are two different things, and Irish applications sometimes ask for both.
- A certified copy is a photocopy of your original document, confirmed as a true copy. The Irish Immigration Service lists solicitors, notaries public, commissioners for oaths and peace commissioners among the people who can certify copies.
- A certified translation is an English translation, certified by the translator as a true translation of the original.
If your original is in Greek, Albanian or French, you may need a certified copy of the original and a certified translation of it.
When you'll need one
- Citizenship. For citizenship by Irish descent or associations, the Irish Immigration Service asks for "a certified copy of your birth certificate, and a certified English translation if it is in another language". Other citizenship and residence applications that include documents in another language need translations too.
- Visas and residence permissions. Family and long-stay applications usually include marriage and birth certificates, and sometimes police certificates. Each one in another language needs a translation.
- Employers, universities and registration bodies. They may set their own rules, so check what each one asks for.
The documents you're likely to translate
| Document | Greece | Albania | France |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | Ληξιαρχική Πράξη Γέννησης | Certifikatë lindjeje | Acte de naissance |
| Marriage certificate | Ληξιαρχική Πράξη Γάμου | Certifikatë martese | Acte de mariage |
| Family record | Πιστοποιητικό Οικογενειακής Κατάστασης | Certifikatë familjare | Livret de famille |
| Police certificate | Αντίγραφο Ποινικού Μητρώου | Dëshmi penaliteti | Extrait de casier judiciaire |
Our guides to the Greek family status certificate, Albanian birth and family certificates and the French acte de naissance explain what each document shows.
What to check before you submit
Names match your passport
The same name can be spelled several ways in English. Tell your translator how it appears in your passport, so every document in your application uses one spelling. Our guide to Greek, Albanian and French names in English explains why this matters.
Everything on the page is translated
Stamps, seals, handwritten notes and later annotations, such as a divorce noted on a marriage record, are part of the document. A certified translation includes them.
The certificate has every detail Ireland asks for
Check for the exact statement, the signature, the date, the printed name, the occupation, the address and the phone number before you upload.
How Lexiveris prepares translations for Ireland
When you choose Irish Immigration Service (Ireland) in the order form, your certificate uses the Irish wording, with the translator's occupation, address and phone number alongside the signature and date. Every translation is done by a human translator and delivered as a signed PDF.
Prices are in pounds or US dollars. If you pay with a euro card, your bank converts the amount; some banks charge a small fee for this.
What it costs
- Civil certificates (birth, marriage, family and police certificates): £15.88 or $24 a page.
- Academic documents: £15.88 or $30 a page.
- Legal and financial documents: £41 or $40 a page.
For example, a one-page birth certificate and a one-page marriage certificate cost £31.76 or $48 in total. Express delivery within 24 hours adds 50%. You can price your documents online and see the total before you pay.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a notarised translation for Ireland?
The Irish Immigration Service's guidance on certified translations describes a translator's certification, not notarisation. If the office handling your case asks for more, follow its instructions. Our guide to certified, notarised and sworn translation explains the difference.
Can I translate my own documents?
It's best not to. Irish visa office checklists say self-translation is not accepted, and an independent translator avoids any question about the translation.
Can I pay in euros?
Our prices are in pounds or US dollars. Most euro cards are accepted, and your bank converts the amount at its own rate.
Do I need the translation on paper?
Many applications are uploaded online, and a signed PDF is what you'll receive. If your office asks for a printed copy posted to Ireland, contact us before you order.
Sources
- Irish Immigration Service: How to make a certified translation of a document
- Irish Immigration Service: Apply for citizenship by Irish descent or associations
- Ireland's visa office in New Delhi: application checklist
This article is general information based on published guidance as of 4 November 2026. It is not legal or immigration advice, and requirements can change. Always check the current requirements with the office handling your case. Lexiveris Translations provides translation services only and is not affiliated with any government agency.