Translate PDF
There are two common goals:
Quick understanding: use an online tool to translate a PDF for reading only. Popular options include Google Translate (Documents tab), Adobe Acrobat’s translation features, and other AI tools.
Official use: for Home Office, consulates, courts or universities you’ll usually need a certified translation with a statement of accuracy, date and translator contact details — not a machine translation.
We provide both routes: fast AI-assisted options for comprehension, and human, certified translations for submissions.
Translate a PDF online — 3 routes
1) Fast & free(ish): Google Translate (Documents)
Go to Google Translate → Documents, upload your file, choose languages, then translate and download a copy. Good for reading; formatting may vary.
2) Inside Adobe Acrobat
Open your PDF in Acrobat and use Translate this PDF / AI Assistant to translate pages or the full document while keeping layout tidy. Review and export.
3) Professional & certified (recommended for official use)
Upload your PDF → get a fixed quote → human translator + QA → certification letter and optional notarisation/legalisation. Accepted by UK bodies when certification is required.
Not sure which path to choose? If you’re sending documents to the Home Office or a consulate, choose certified. DIY/machine output is usually not accepted.
Translate a Word document in your browser (Word Online)
Upload the file to OneDrive or SharePoint.
Open it in Word Online.
Go to Review → Translate → choose Document or Selection.
Pick the target language (e.g., Spanish) and confirm.
Tip: Word Online can be ideal for quick changes on shared documents, but always download and proofread a final .docx or PDF for formatting consistency.
Step-by-step: how to translate a PDF to English or Spanish
A) DIY for quick reading (English ↔ Spanish and more)
Open Google Translate → Documents, upload your PDF.
Select Detect language if unsure; choose your target language (e.g., English or Spanish).
Click Translate, then Download translation.
Tip: If the PDF is image-based, first convert it to an editable format with OCR (see the OCR section below).
B) Acrobat workflow (keep layout)
Open the PDF in Adobe Acrobat.
Launch Translate this PDF / AI Assistant.
Translate selected pages or the full file and export the result.
C) Certified human translation (official submissions)
Upload your PDF (birth certificates, bank statements, police certificates, diplomas, etc.).
We confirm price & turnaround.
A specialist native linguist translates and a second linguist reviews.
We issue a signed certification with date and our contact details; notarisation/apostille available if requested by the authority.
Translate scanned PDFs
Most “full PDF” queries involve scanned documents (e.g., birth certificates). We apply OCR to extract text (including Latin/non-Latin scripts) and then rebuild tables, headers, seals and stamps so the translation mirrors your original layout. If your destination is a French visa via TLScontact, documents are typically provided in English or French depending on the centre; always follow your centre’s checklist.
Languages we handle
- Translate PDF to English (from Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Urdu, Slovak, Hungarian).
- Translate PDF to Spanish (e.g., contracts, manuals, certificates).
- Niche pairs: convert Japanese PDF to English, convert Chinese document to English, korean to english document translation, translate document Portuguese to English, translate PDF from Hungarian to English — handled with OCR + specialist linguists.
For official documents: certified translation done right
For UK immigration and many Schengen applications, foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a full certified translation that can be independently verified. Each translation should include: a statement that it’s a true and accurate translation, the date, and the translator’s full name and contact details.
We align with UK best-practice guidance from professional bodies (CIOL/ITI/ATC): formats sometimes vary by authority, so we follow the exact instruction set on your checklist.
Why choose us over machine translation tools?
Acceptance risk: DIY tools are fine for reading, but official bodies often reject machine-translated PDFs. Certified output prevents delays and refusals.
Layout fidelity: Complex layouts (tables, stamps, right-to-left scripts) are recreated so your translation mirrors the original.
Data protection: We follow UK GDPR principles for confidentiality and minimisation of personal data processing. NDAs on request.
Speed with care: Standard 2 working days, Express 24 hours, Same-day for short documents (subject to file format/length).
How pricing works
Per-page / per-word depending on length, complexity and language pair.
Scanned PDFs may require OCR/time to re-layout.
Extras: notarisation, apostille, hard copies by post (UK & international).
Free quote: upload your PDF; we’ll confirm the fixed price and turnaround before starting.
FAQs
Can you translate a full PDF file (all pages) including stamps and tables?
Yes. We translate the entire file and reproduce layout (tables, headers, seals). For scans, we apply OCR before translation and DTP (desktop publishing) to match formatting.
Will the Home Office or a consulate accept a machine-translated PDF?
Generally no. UK authorities require a certified translation with a statement of accuracy, date, and translator contact details. Provide a certified translation to avoid rejection or delays.
How do I translate a PDF to Spanish for quick reading?
Use Google Translate → Documents to upload and translate, or use Acrobat’s built-in translation. For submissions, opt for a certified human translation.
Can you translate a Word document to Spanish as well?
Yes — upload the DOC/DOCX and choose Spanish (or any of 100+ languages). For DIY, Google Docs has Tools → Translate document.
Is my personal data safe?
We process documents under UK GDPR principles (lawfulness, fairness, minimisation, integrity/confidentiality) and can sign NDAs on request.