Who decides which documents to include in the bundle?

Your solicitor or legal representative compiles the bundle and is responsible for its completeness. You supply the documents — the solicitor determines what is relevant. The translator translates whatever the solicitor passes to them.

How quickly are translations needed for an asylum bundle?

Deadlines are tight. For a substantive interview, translations must be ready 2–3 working days before the interview. For an FTT hearing, 5 working days before the hearing (the Tribunal usually requests the bundle 10 days before the date). Confirm the exact deadline with your solicitor.

Must the entire document be translated, or only the key sections?

The entire document must be translated. The Home Office and the Tribunal require a complete translation of every document, including all fields, stamps, seals, signatures, and technical annotations. Partial translations are not accepted.

Are translations made in the country of origin accepted?

As a rule, no. Translations notarised in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, or any other CIS country do not meet the UK certified translation format. The Home Office and the Immigration Tribunal require the UK format with a Certificate of Accuracy.

What should I do if a document is damaged and part of the text is illegible?

The translator must note in the translation that a specific passage is illegible: "[illegible]" or "[text damaged]". This cannot be omitted. Your solicitor can add an explanatory note about the condition of the document.

Do medical documents issued in the UK need to be translated?

No. Medical reports from UK doctors, NHS documents, and psychological reports from UK specialists are already in English and do not require translation. Only medical documents from the country of origin in a non-Latin script need to be translated.

Do documents need to be translated for an Upper Tribunal appeal?

Yes. The rules for an Upper Tribunal appeal are the same as for the First-tier Tribunal. If you are submitting new evidence, it must be accompanied by a certified translation. Previously accepted translations from the FTT are generally retained in the case file.

What is a translator's note and when is it needed?

A translator's note is a brief explanation in the translation when a direct rendering is impossible or could mislead. For example, if a Soviet-era term has no precise English equivalent, the translator explains it in brackets. This is standard professional practice and helps the Tribunal understand the context.

Guide · Asylum

Asylum bundle — document translation checklist

A complete list of documents that typically require certified translation for an asylum bundle: for the substantive interview, First-tier Tribunal (FTT) hearing, and Upper Tribunal appeal. How to work with your solicitor on translation deadlines.

Last verified against gov.uk: 20 May 2026

In brief

An asylum bundle is the full set of documents submitted to the Home Office or the Tribunal in support of an asylum claim.
Every document not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation with a Certificate of Accuracy.
Translations notarised in the country of origin are not accepted by the Home Office or the Immigration Tribunal.
Translations for a Tribunal hearing must be ready at least 5 working days before the hearing date.
We work directly with solicitors — send us the solicitor's list and we will liaise with them directly.

1. Identity documents

Passport — all pages, including pages with stamps and entry/exit records. Even the blank pages with decorative patterns are often included.
Internal passport / national identity card — for countries where a separate internal passport exists (Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, etc.).
Military service record book (voyennik) — all pages, including service records, postings, and notes.
Birth certificate.
Marriage or divorce certificate — if relevant to the claim or to family members' status.
Driving licence — if included in the bundle as an identity document.

2. Persecution documents

Summonses from police, security services, or prosecutors — dates, case numbers, the authority that issued them, and the grounds for summons.
Detention and search orders — court decisions or administrative orders.
Interview records and interrogation transcripts.
Indictments and charges.
First-instance and appeal court judgments — including acquittals, which may confirm that a case existed.
Criminal convictions.
Party membership documents or religious affiliation records — if relevant to the grounds for asylum.

3. Medical documents

Medical reports confirming injuries from detention or violence — diagnoses, treatment descriptions, dates.
Hospital and clinic discharge summaries.
Psychological or psychiatric assessments — if issued in the country of origin (not by UK specialists — those are already in English).
Prescription documents — confirming ongoing treatment for conditions related to the persecution.

4. Media and digital evidence

News articles and publications — about the applicant, their family members, or their organisation, if in a CIS language.
Telegram, WhatsApp, and social media messages — screenshots of threats, instructions, or surveillance. The translator provides a verbatim translation of the message text.
Radio and television transcripts — if the applicant is named or referenced.

Note on digital evidence: screenshots of messages should be submitted with both the original language and the certified translation. The translator does not alter or comment on the content — only translates it.

5. Country of origin documents

Country of origin information (COI) — if documents from state bodies or NGOs in the country of origin are submitted as background evidence.
Political party, trade union, or religious organisation documents — membership cards, certificates, printed materials in the local language.
Letters and witness statements from relatives or witnesses in the country of origin — if not in English.

6. Education and employment documents

Diplomas and school-leaving certificates — relevant where professional or social status affects the assessment of the claim.
Employer's letters or employment records — confirming previous occupation, particularly if relevant to the grounds for asylum (journalism, law, human rights work).
Professional licences or certificates — if relevant to the profile of the applicant.

Deadlines and timescales

SUBSTANTIVE INTERVIEW

Translations must be ready 2–3 working days before the interview. This allows the caseworker to review the bundle and gives time for any corrections.

FTT HEARING (FIRST-TIER TRIBUNAL)

Translations must be ready at least 5 working days before the hearing. The Tribunal usually requires the full bundle 10 days before the hearing date.

UPPER TRIBUNAL APPEAL

The same rules apply. Confirm the specific deadline with your solicitor — the Tribunal may set its own directions.

How to coordinate with your solicitor

We work regularly with solicitors handling asylum cases. The standard process:

Your solicitor provides a list of documents to translate — or sends the documents directly.
We confirm the timeline and cost within one hour of receiving the list.
We deliver translations to the solicitor (or to you, if the solicitor requests this) by the agreed deadline.
If questions arise during preparation of the bundle, we respond directly.

If you do not yet have a solicitor, the gov.uk/find-immigration-adviser service will help you find an IAA-registered adviser.