FAQs

Here you’ll find anything and everything you should need to know about working with us – and hopefully covers the typical questions you may have.

Have a question about our language solutions?

Below we’ve pulled together responses to the usual questions we receive from new clients, which we hope you find helpful. 

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, contact us or open live chat.

  • Security
    • Will my documents remain confidential?

      All our team are bound by strict confidentiality rules and codes of practice that guarantee your documents are in safe hands. We are also happy to sign an NDA if you require us to do so, prior to receiving documentation for a quote.  

    • Will my meetings remain confidential and impartial?

      Absolutely. Our team are bound by strict confidentiality rules and codes of practice that mean they’ll never disclose any information they hear in any meetings they are involved in. Their role during the session will be to provide direct interpreting, without sharing any personal opinion or attempts to get involved with the conversation and any decisions. 

    • Can you sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA)? 

      We are happy to sign an NDA if you require us to do so, prior to receiving documentation for a quote or ahead of our interpreters working with you.  

  • Quality and Certification
    • Will my translation be certified?

      NRL is a corporate member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI), which means that all our translations are fully endorsed and are accompanied with our certification letter.  

    • Is certification the same as notarisation?

      No, notarisation refers to when a Notary Public signs a document. However, if you need recommendations on local Notary Publics to notarise your translation, feel free to get in touch and we can assist.  

    • Is certification the same as legalisation?

      No, legalising a document is more formal than certifying it and usually involves issuing an apostille so that the document can be recognised in foreign countries. In the UK this can be done through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

    • Will the Home Office accept your translation?

      Any translations that have been completed by NRL are accompanied by our translation certification letter, which states that we are corporate members of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI). This means they can be accepted by the Home Office. However, if you require legalisation or notarisation of your documents, you may need to get in touch with a Notary Public or the FCO.  

    • Can I translate my own documents for you to certify them?

      We cannot certify something that we have not translated ourselves, unfortunately. At the very least, we will have to proofread the document for a fee, before we’re able to certify it – but get in touch with our team and we can talk you through the options. 

    • How can we be confident in the standard of interpreting?

      We have a comprehensive screening process we follow when any interpreters want to work with NRL. Including checking their qualifications and experience – and undertaking reference checks to verify the standard of their interpreting and their professionalism when they undertake their work. 

  • NRL's Office
    • Are translators available in your office?

      Our translators do not work within our office, they are often based remotely and sometimes in a different country, so we cannot complete jobs while clients wait in our office, unfortunately.  

    • Can I bring documents I need translating to your office?

      Our administration team won’t be able to accept any documents that you need translating in person. Instead, please send these to us online. 

    • What if I need a translation on the weekend?

      Our office hours are Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Any requests received after 5pm on Fridays will be dealt with on Monday morning upon re-opening.  

  • Documents
    • How will I receive my documents?

      We’ll typically send your final documents in a PDF format by email, although hard copies can be sent by post if required (which may incur a postage fee).

    • Will my documents remain confidential?

      All our team are bound by strict confidentiality rules and codes of practice that guarantee your documents are in safe hands. We are also happy to sign an NDA if you require us to do so, prior to receiving documentation for a quote.  

    • Can I bring documents I need translating to your office?

      Our administration team won’t be able to accept any documents that you need translating in person. Instead, please send these to us online. 

    • In what format will I receive my translation? 

      We’ll typically send your final documents in a PDF format by email, although hard copies can be sent by post if required (which may incur a postage fee). 
       
      If you require it in another format, please talk to us about this when you request a quote. 

  • Services
    • How does it work?

      Let us know what you need our support with – whether that’s translation, interpreting or any other language support. We’ll then take a look over your requirements and provide a quote so you know how much the work will cost, and the timescales to complete it. If you’re booking an interpreter we’ll confirm availability, interpreting fees and any other associated costs.

      If you’re happy, then let us know that you’d like to proceed and we’ll book the work in.

    • How many languages do you translate into?

      135 languages at present – but if there’s a language you’re looking for support with that we don’t currently cover, we’ll be happy to investigate this further for you. 

    • Can you translate my website?

      We certainly can. Our localisation service can help to ensure your website is correctly translated for any other countries you’d like to provide a native language site for. 

    • Can you help with subtitling?

      Absolutely. We can translate into over 135 languages, so get in touch with us to discuss your project. 

    • Can you translate audio files?

      We certainly can. We can provide a direct translation into the required language you request. Or a transcription into the source language and then an additional translation into the target language – so you have original and translated versions.  

    • I need a Sworn Spanish translation, can you help?

      NRL are a corporate member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and all our translations are fully certified and accompanied with our translation certification letter.

    • What's the difference between translating and interpreting?

      Translation refers to written work, such as providing a transcript in another language, or creating multiple versions of a document in a range of languages, whereas interpreting refers to the spoken language – such as relaying a conversation in a different language. Interpreting helps everyone to understand what is being said, and helps overcome any language barriers.

    • Do you offer remote telephone or video interpreting?

      Yes, we can support all standard technology such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet and WhatsApp – and can also provide interpreters over the telephone. Remote interpreting bookings require a 1-hour minimum time, but we’re happy to provide a quote to support any meetings or business events you need interpreting support for.

    • Where do you offer in person interpreting?

      We’re based in the North East of England just outside Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and are able to provide interpreters to attend in person across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, County Durham and Teesside. A minimum of 2 hours is required for face-to-face interpreting. 

      Travel costs and additional expenses such as parking will be charged in addition to the interpreting fees if applicable. 

    • Do I need to pay for proofreading separately when getting a document translated? 

      Typically, if you’ve requested a full translation service, we’ll include the cost of proofreading within your quote. 

    • How do I prepare to have an interpreter join my meeting?

      If your meeting is being held remotely, you’ll need to ensure you’ve provided us with an access link so our interpreter can join the meeting. If the meeting is being held in person, then please ensure where needed our interpreter is registered with building security and meeting details such as the room name and time are confirmed in advance. 

      Remember to include extra time for interpreting to take place, as conversations will need to be relayed and responses verbally translated back. 

    • Do you offer services outside of the UK? 

      Our translation services are available in any country, but please note we’ll invoice you in GBP pound sterling and our translators may be working to GMT UK time. 
       
      We’re also able to provide remote interpreters over video technology and over the phone. Please note, however, telephone calls will incur an additional charge to cover the telephone bill. If you’re looking for a face-to-face interpreter then this isn’t something we’d typically provide, but would be happy to check the availability of any local interpreters who work with us. 

  • Delivery and Turnaround Times
    • How quickly can I get my translation back?

      This depends on the length of the document and how busy our translators may be at any given point. We’ll advise you of the likely timescale upon quoting – and will always do our best to meet any urgent requests. 

    • Do you offer a time-sensitive, urgent translation service?

      We certainly always try our hardest to accommodate any urgent request, which will depend on the availability of our translators. Please note, there may be an additional charge for expediting your translation work. 

    • What if I need a translation on the weekend?

      Our office hours are Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Any requests received after 5pm on Fridays will be dealt with on Monday morning upon re-opening.  

  • Cancellation
    • What happens if I need to cancel a translation booking?

      If you’ve requested translation work (such as direct translation, subtitling, localisation), then typically we’re unable to accept cancellations once the quote has been approved by you and the translation work has commenced. Any work already completed by our linguist will be charged. You can refer to our terms and conditions for more details. 

    • What happens if I need to cancel an interpreter booking? 

      If you have booked an interpreter (either in person or remotely), then we must receive your cancellation in writing with at least 48 hours’ notice, or a cancellation fee will apply. If you wish to reschedule your booking, we will require at least 24 hours’ notice to avoid incurring a cancellation fee. You can find out more in our terms and conditions. 

  • Becoming a Linguist
    • I am multi-lingual, can I work with you?

      If you are interested in joining our freelance linguist community, then please visit this page to find out more and tell us about yourself. 

    • How are interpreters paid? 

      You’ll work on a freelance basis, and we’ll pay for your services against a valid invoice – which we’ll talk you through when you first join. 

    • Do I need to source equipment to become a linguist? 

      You’ll need to use your own laptop and technology – which will include the Microsoft Office suite. If you’re working as an interpreter, then you’ll also need a good quality pair of noise cancelling headphones with a microphone. 

  • Pricing, Billing and Payment Methods
    • Do your quotes include VAT?

      Yes, and we’ll provide a breakdown on the quote so you can see the cost with and without VAT. 

    • When do I need to pay?

      If you’re requesting translation and interpreting services on behalf of a company, then we’ll work with you to open a credit account and you’ll be invoiced after the work is completed in line with our payment terms (subject to confirmation, but typically 30 days NET). 

      If you’re requesting personal documents are translated through a private transaction with us, then we’ll require payment in advance please. 

    • How do I pay?

      Currently, we’re only able to accept bank transfers when it comes to settling your bill. 

    • How much will my translation cost?

      The price of your translation will usually be based on a rate per word, or for shorter documents we may quote a minimum fee. Each quote depends on the language being requested, but we aim to provide you with a quote as soon as possible after receiving your initial request. 

    • How much does interpreting cost?

      That depends on how long you require the interpreter to support you and what the language is as this can vary depending on its rarity. But we’ll provide a full quote in advance and everything agreed will be provided in a booking confirmation document. 

    • If quotes are per word, why is there a minimum charge?  

      It takes a great deal of time and experience to work as a translator and we’re committed to ensuring this is respected. We’ll keep our quotes as competitive as possible – but this does sometimes mean a minimum charge is required.Â