Fair rates based on actual complexity and time required.
Professional transcription service backed by 30 years of experience at prestigious London law firms. Every document is quoted individually. Prices quoted in British Pounds (£). Payment is via PayPal (all currencies accepted), with bank transfer available for those who prefer it. Quotes are free for most documents — a small assessment fee applies for complex documents requiring detailed evaluation before pricing.
Here's a general guide to help you understand what to expect:
Typical documents:
• Single-page wills
• Short letters (1–2 pages)
• Clear handwriting
• Straightforward content
• 18th–19th century standard script
Usually completed within 1–2 days
Typical documents:
• Multi-page wills (2–4 pages)
• Property deeds and indentures
• Moderate complexity
• Some legal terminology
• Average 18th–19th century handwriting
Usually completed within 2–4 days
Typical documents:
• 16th–17th century secretary hand
• Extensive legal terminology
• Challenging or damaged documents
• Tabular records and registers
• Documents with Latin probate clauses
• Multi-page wills with full editorial notes
Timeline depends on complexity
Latin probate clauses — documents containing Latin (PCC wills, ecclesiastical court records, pre-1733 probate grants) carry a supplement of £20 to cover translation and annotation of the Latin text. This is included in the quoted price, not added afterwards.
Every project is quoted individually based on actual document complexity. Free quotes for most documents — see below for complex documents requiring detailed assessment.
For straightforward documents, a quote is always free and provided within 24 hours. But some documents — particularly multi-page wills with Latin probate clauses, heavily abbreviated records, or documents in poor condition — cannot be accurately priced from a first glance alone. A proper assessment takes time, and that time has value.
For complex documents where a thorough evaluation is needed before I can give you a reliable quote, I offer a paid assessment at £25. This covers up to an hour of detailed examination — checking the hand, the condition, any Latin text, marginal annotations, and the overall scope of the work — so that the quote I give you is accurate and there are no surprises later.
This approach protects you from receiving an inaccurate quote, and means the price I give you reflects the actual work involved. Not sure whether your document needs a paid assessment? Just send it across — I'll always tell you upfront.
Email me clear photographs or scans. Include any context that might be helpful — date, type of document, family names.
I'll assess the length, complexity, and time required. For most documents, a quote is provided free within 24 hours. For complex documents requiring detailed evaluation, a paid assessment of £25 may apply — deducted from your invoice if you proceed.
Once you're happy with the quote, I begin work. Most documents completed within 2–5 working days.
I email you the first page (or 25% of shorter documents) as a PDF so you can verify quality and accuracy before paying.
Once you're satisfied, payment via PayPal (all currencies accepted) or bank transfer if preferred. PayPal payments go to invoice@heritagescript.com.
I send you a Google Docs link to the full transcription immediately on receipt of payment — viewable on any device, no specialist software needed.
Quality Guarantee: You see the completed work before paying. This protects both of us and ensures you are completely satisfied with the transcription before making payment.
PayPal
Send to invoice@heritagescript.com
Please select "Send to a Friend" when prompted — this avoids unnecessary transaction fees for both parties.
All currencies accepted — PayPal converts automatically.
Bank Transfer
Available on request
UK bank transfer or international wire — details provided on request
Quotes are in British Pounds (£). International clients — PayPal handles currency conversion automatically, so you pay in your own currency at the current rate. No surcharge for either payment method.
Your transcription shared via a Google Docs link — clean, properly formatted, viewable on any device, and ready to use in your research or share with family.
You'll know exactly what's definite and what needs verification.
Archaic terms and abbreviations explained where helpful.
Most documents completed within 2-5 working days.
If you need clarification or spot something, revisions are included.
Direct communication with me throughout. I answer questions.
In addition to the full diplomatic transcription, I'll explain what the document says in plain modern terms — summarising the key people, relationships, bequests, and legal provisions in language anyone can follow. Ideal if you want to understand the document at a glance without working through the original. Available for wills, deeds, and most legal records.
Please note: The plain English summary is provided for general reference and ease of understanding only. It should not be relied upon for any legal, financial, or genealogical purpose without reference to the full diplomatic transcription. Heritage Script accepts no liability for decisions made on the basis of the summary alone.
If you have several documents from the same collection or time period, I can offer a discount for bulk transcription. Contact me for a quote.
Members of recognised family history societies may be eligible for a small discount. Mention your membership when requesting your consultation.
Academic researchers or professional family historians working on large projects—let's discuss rates for ongoing work.
Natural daylight works best. Avoid flash, which can create glare and shadows that obscure text.
Blurry photos are difficult to transcribe. Use a flat surface or tripod if possible. Take multiple shots.
Include margins and any notes in the margins. Sometimes crucial information is written at the edges.
Lay the document flat if possible. If it's in a book, press it as flat as you safely can without damaging it.
Use your phone or camera's highest quality setting. Larger file sizes are fine — detail matters more than file size.
If part of the document is difficult to read, take close-up shots of problem areas from different angles.
Don't worry if your photos aren't perfect — I can often work with less-than-ideal images. Just do your best and I'll let you know if I need better quality.
To help me give you an accurate quote quickly, please include:
Have more questions? Visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.
Send me your document and I'll tell you exactly what it will cost — free for most documents, with no obligation to proceed.
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