Translating Stamps and Seals: how it works in United Kingdom — first-hand
Short answer
Translate all non-English text in your documents, including stamps, by marking them as 'Stamp' or 'Seal' and using '/Seal: illegible/' if necessary. Professional notarization is not required, but you must include a statement of translation accuracy at the end of each document to ensure clarity.
From real experience
Debate on translating stamps for UK visa applications.
While some suggest simply writing 'stamp', the consensus and official requirements lean towards translating all non-English documents, including stamps. A statement of translation accuracy ('translated from Russian to English') at the end of each document is recommended for clarity to the visa officer.
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Clarification on UK visa application process: advice on filling out financial sections (personal spending vs.
sponsor's contribution), document translation requirements (including stamps), and the VFS website's functionality. Documents can be uploaded gradually, but late uploads are discouraged due to website issues. Translation of stamps is generally required.
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When translating official documents for a UK visa, stamps or seals should be translated as 'Stamp' or 'Seal.' The text within the stamp does not need to be translated separately; the term itself suffices.
This ensures clarity and adherence to translation standards for visa applications.
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For a UK Standard Visitor Visa, professional notarized translations are not strictly required.
Applicants can perform self-translations of all documents (bank statements, birth certificates, etc.). All documents must be translated into English; leave no Russian text. If a stamp is illegible, use the note '/Seal: illegible/'. The focus of the visa officer is on financial consistency and the legitimacy of funds rather than the method of translation.