In short
- Certified translations of short official documents are usually priced per page; long legal or business files are often priced per word or by quote.
- The main price drivers are the number of pages, how dense the text is, the language pair, urgency and any extras such as notarisation or posted copies.
- At Lexiveris, Greek, Albanian and French into English costs from £35 / $45 per page for civil certificates, with the price shown before you pay.
- Always compare the final total, including certification, delivery speed, VAT and postage.
The price of a certified translation depends mostly on how much text there is and how quickly you need it. For short official documents such as birth or marriage certificates, most providers in the UK and US charge a fixed price per page. For long contracts or court bundles, a per-word price or an individual quote is more common.
This guide explains how pricing works, so you can compare quotes properly and avoid surprises at checkout.
How is a certified translation priced?
There are two common models.
| Model | Typically used for | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Per page | Certificates, ID cards, diplomas, police records, bank statements | A fixed price for each page of the original. Easy to compare and know in advance. |
| Per word | Contracts, court papers, reports, long business documents | A rate for each word of the original. Fairer for dense text. |
Many services combine the two: per page for standard documents, and a quote for anything long or unusually dense.
What makes a certified translation cost more?
- Number of pages. Every page, including the back of a card or a page that only has a stamp, usually counts.
- Density. A full page of small legal text takes much longer than a certificate with a few fields.
- Urgency. Same-day or 24-hour delivery normally costs extra.
- Language pair. Less common pairs can cost more. Greek, Albanian and French into English are well established.
- Legibility. Faded, handwritten or poorly scanned documents take longer to read and check.
- Formatting. Reproducing tables, stamps and seals so the translation mirrors the original takes time, and it is what offices expect.
What extras should I look out for?
When comparing quotes, check whether these are included or charged separately:
- The certification statement. It should be included in the price of a certified translation.
- Express delivery.
- Posted hard copies. Most UK and US offices accept a signed PDF, so check whether you actually need paper.
- Notarisation or apostille. Usually not needed for UK visas or USCIS. If an office does ask for it, the fees are set by notaries and governments.
- VAT. Some UK providers quote prices without VAT.
- Corrections. A good provider corrects its own errors free of charge.
What does Lexiveris charge?
Our prices are fixed per page and shown in pounds or dollars before you pay.
| Document | Price per page (GBP) | Price per page (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Civil certificates and ID (birth, marriage, family status, police records, licences) | £35 | $45 |
| Academic documents (diplomas, transcripts) | £45 | $55 |
| Legal, financial and business documents | £55 | $70 |
| Long files, or English into Greek, Albanian or French | Quote | Quote |
Extras:
- Express (24 hours): +50%
- Posted hard copy: £8 in the UK, $25 to the US
- Certificate of accuracy: always included
For example, a two-page Greek birth record with standard delivery costs £70 or $90. You can price your document online and see the exact total before paying.
How can I keep the cost down?
- Scan clearly. A sharp scan or phone photo avoids delays and re-quotes.
- Send only what's needed. Check which documents the office actually asks for.
- Order early. Standard delivery costs less than express.
- Order everything together. It's easier to keep names and dates consistent across documents.
- Skip the paper copy if the office accepts the PDF.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cheap certified translation acceptable?
Price alone doesn't decide acceptance. What matters is that the translation is complete and accurate, and that the certificate includes what the office asks for: for the UK, an accuracy statement, the date, and the translator's name, signature and contact details; for USCIS, a statement of accuracy and of the translator's competence.
Is a machine translation cheaper and acceptable?
Machine translation is cheap, but it is not a certified translation. It can't confirm accuracy, often gets names and stamps wrong, and offices expect a translator's signed statement.
Do I pay per page of the original or of the translation?
At Lexiveris, per page of the original document. Some providers count translated pages or words instead, so check how a quote is calculated.
Does a one-page certificate with a stamp on the back count as two pages?
Usually, yes, if the back has text or a stamp that must be translated. A small single-sided ID card counts as one page.
Sources
- 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3): USCIS translation requirement
- University of Westminster: Home Office translation guidelines
This article is general information based on published guidance as of 31 October 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.