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Translation Guide · Sri Lanka

How to Translate Your National Identity Card (NIC) in Sri Lanka

A complete guide to getting your Sri Lankan NIC officially translated to English — used as a supporting identity document for visa applications, immigration, and MFA attestation.

Visa ApplicationsAustralian PRCanadian ImmigrationUK VisaMFA Attestation

Quick Answer

Your NIC is typically submitted as a supporting identity document alongside your birth certificate, marriage certificate, or passport when applying for a visa or immigration. SwornTranslators.lk provides sworn NIC translations 100% online from LKR 1,300, delivered in 24–48 hours.

When Is an NIC Translation Required?

Your Sri Lankan National Identity Card is in Sinhala, which means any official submission to a foreign embassy, immigration authority, or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must include an English translation. While the NIC is usually a supporting document rather than the primary document, its translation is mandatory in most cases.

The NIC translation is particularly important for ensuring name consistency across all submitted documents. Our translators match the English spelling of your name in the NIC translation to your passport and other documents, preventing a very common cause of rejection.

Visa applications where NIC is submitted as supporting ID
MFA attestation (submitted alongside the primary document)
Australian immigration — Home Affairs may require NIC translation
Canadian IRCC — NIC used alongside birth certificate
UK visa applications — UKVI may require NIC as supporting ID
Background checks for skilled worker and employment visas
Bank account opening and financial services overseas
Professional registration and credential verification

Step-by-Step: How to Translate Your NIC

01

Get a Clear Copy of Your NIC

You need a clear scan or photo of both sides of your NIC — front and back. The translation covers all fields on both sides, so image quality matters.

  • Scan or photograph the front: NIC number, full name in Sinhala, date of birth, photo
  • Scan or photograph the back: address, blood type, and other fields
  • Ensure the image is clear and all text is legible
  • Both the old (9-digit) and new (12-digit) NIC formats are accepted
Time: 5 minutes
02

Upload to SwornTranslators.lk

Create a free account and upload scans of both NIC sides. If you are also submitting other documents (e.g., a birth certificate), you can include them all in the same request.

  • PNG, JPG, or PDF formats accepted
  • Upload both sides of the NIC in a single request
  • Combine with other documents (birth cert, marriage cert) for consistent name matching
  • 100% online — no office visit required
Time: 5 minutes
03

Receive a Fixed Price Quote

Our team reviews your document and sends a fixed price quote through your account portal. NIC translations are compact and priced accordingly.

  • Quotes usually sent within a few hours of submission
  • Bundling with other documents is straightforward — one quote covers all
  • Courier delivery adds approximately LKR 400
  • No hidden fees
Time: A few hours
04

Pay & Receive Your Translation

Pay via bank transfer once you accept the quote. Your certified PDF translation is delivered within 24–48 hours, or choose courier delivery of a stamped hard copy.

  • Online card payments or bank transfer available
  • Translation begins immediately after payment confirmation
  • Download certified PDF from your dashboard
  • Courier delivery island-wide — all 25 districts covered
Time: 24–48 hours after payment

Old NIC vs New NIC — Both Are Translated

Old NIC (9-digit)

  • Format: 9 digits + V or X (e.g., 901234567V)
  • Issued before 2016
  • Contains: name, DOB, NIC number, address
  • Still valid — translation accepted by embassies

New NIC (12-digit)

  • Format: 12 digits (e.g., 199012345678)
  • Issued from 2016 onward
  • Contains: name, DOB, NIC number, address, additional fields
  • Accepted by all embassies and immigration authorities

Submit Your NIC With Other Documents for Consistent Name Matching

A very common reason visa applications are delayed is inconsistent name spellings across translated documents. When submitting your NIC translation alongside your birth certificate or marriage certificate, our translators ensure the English spelling of your name is identical across all documents — exactly matching your passport. This is one of the most valuable things we do for you.

What's Included in Your NIC Sworn Translation

Full English translation of all fields on both sides of the NIC
NIC number, full name, date of birth, address translated
Translator's official Ministry of Justice stamp and signature
Translator's registration number
Signed declaration of accuracy
Name matched to your passport and other submitted documents
Accepted by Australian Home Affairs, UKVI, and IRCC
Certified PDF + optional stamped hard copy by courier

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a sworn translation for my Sri Lankan NIC?
The NIC is usually submitted as a supporting identity document rather than the primary document. Most embassies and immigration authorities require a sworn translation of the NIC when it is included in a visa or immigration application alongside a birth certificate or marriage certificate. For MFA attestation requirements, refer to the official MFA Document Attestation Guide.
MFA Document Attestation Guide →
Do I need to translate both sides of my NIC?
Yes. A complete NIC translation covers both sides — the front (NIC number, full name, date of birth, photo) and the back (address, blood type, and other details). Please upload clear scans of both sides when submitting.
Can I translate my NIC together with other documents in one request?
Yes. SwornTranslators.lk allows you to include multiple documents in a single request. Most customers translate their NIC alongside their birth certificate or marriage certificate. This is also recommended to ensure name spellings are consistent across all translations.
Is my NIC translation accepted by Australian, UK, and Canadian embassies?
Yes. Translations produced through SwornTranslators.lk are completed by sworn translators registered with the Ministry of Justice, Sri Lanka — the standard required by Australian Home Affairs, UKVI, and IRCC Canada for supporting identity documents.
How long does an NIC translation take?
NIC translations are typically completed within 24–48 hours of payment confirmation. You can track the status in real time from your account dashboard.

Only Ministry of Justice Registered Translators Are Accepted

Embassies and immigration authorities require translations from a translator registered with the Ministry of Justice, Sri Lanka. Informal translations, Google Translate outputs, or agency translations without a registered sworn translator will be rejected. SwornTranslators.lk works exclusively with Ministry of Justice registered translators.

Related Guides

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Translate Your NIC Online — From LKR 1,300

100% online · Ministry of Justice authorised translators · Delivered in 24–48 hours · Accepted by embassies & immigration authorities

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