Certified Translations FAQ
What is a certified translation? Do I need one? Who can certify a translation? Does it need to be notarized? How can I obtain one? How long does it take? How much does it cost?
I translate a large number of certified documents for individual clients and these are the questions I receive almost every time. Certified translations of documents like birth certificates, passports, academic transcripts, bank records and asylum statements are required in many processes involving government entities, educational institutions and legal proceedings. Having gone through the process of establishing residency abroad myself, I understand how intimidating it can be. Below you’ll find a list of answers to some of the most common questions I receive. Let me know what you think!
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is a translated document that can be used as an official document in a specific country or region. It includes:
Certificate of Accuracy, dated, signed, and if necessary, notarized and sealed
English translation of the source document, formatted to mirror the original
Original document (or a certified copy)
All three parts are necessary for a certification to comply with requirements.
Who can certify a translation?
Legally, anyone who claims to be fluent in both the source and target languages can provide a certification statement for a translation. An individual or translation company can also certify translations done by employees or other freelance translators, but only translators certified by the ATA are authorized to add a certification seal and required to adhere to a code of ethics and professional responsibility.
A list of translators in all languages certified by the American Translators Association can be found here.
Do I need a certified translation?
Certified translations are required in many processes involving government entities, educational institutions and legal proceedings. Non-certified translations may be sufficient for informal purposes such as communication or preliminary document review.
USCIS Translation requirements can be found here.
Federal Court Translation Regulations can be found here.
Requirements can vary between states. Agencies and institutions often maintain specific guidelines, so be sure to very the requirements of your recipient.
Does my translation need to be notarized?
A translation itself cannot be notarized. A notary authenticates the signature on the Certificate of Accuracy, verifying the identity of the person signing the certification statement and adding their own signature and notary seal to the certification page. A certified translation is usually sufficient, but be sure to check the requirements for submitting your documents.
What is the process?
Send a copy of your document(s) to me via email at maggie@maggiesmith.us or upload here to obtain a quote for your translation (usually within 24 hours).
Follow the instructions on the quote to complete payment securely online via credit card.
Translations are delivered via email in PDF format.
When will I receive the translation?
Translations of up to 5 pages are delivered within 5 business days of receipt of payment.
How much does a certified translation cost?
The cost depends on the size and complexity of the original document(s). Send me an email or fill out the form here to receive a free quote, usually delivered within 24 hours.
I hope this helps! Feel free to reach out to me at maggie@maggiesmith.us for more information.