Certified Translation
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is one that has been signed and stamped by the translator, and comes with a statement signed by the translator declaring that it is a true and accurate translation of the original source document.
Unlike typical translation work where the language is expected to be interpreted to make sense grammatically, the focus of a certified translation is absolute accuracy. The idea is that the document is a literal translation of the original, just presented in another language.
When is a certified translation needed?
A certified translation is typically needed wherever the recipient requires a third party to confirm the integrity of the work. Generally, these types of jobs are needed for legal documents such as immigration papers, marriage certificates or death certificates.
The translated document is typically presented with a certificate of accuracy from the translator that states that to the best of their ability, the translation is accurate and complete. This requirement is there for the avoidance of fraud and to maintain accountability for the documents presented to the officers.
Not all countries require certified translations, but many do. Importantly, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will require certified translations for any documents in foreign languages to accept them as part of the application.
Finding the best certified translation services.
Our review of the best certified translation services can be found here.
If you want to save yourself time, here’s our favorite from our 2022 roundup.
Rush Translate: https://rushtranslate.com/certified-translation
Notarized Translation
What is a notarized translation?
A notarized translation is one that’s been commissioned and certified by a professional translator, who then has it signed by a notary public.
A notary is a legal officer who certifies that the signature of the translator is valid and authentic, and is required for certain processes like obtaining a passport, visa, or legal document.
It is important to note that a notarized translation does not attest to the quality of the translation work. Its purpose is to verify the identity of the person who has performed the translation.
When are notarized translations needed?
Documents that are often translated and notarized include birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic transcripts, diplomas, degrees and other personal records.
Notarized translations are required by many foreign governments, embassies and consulates. They are also needed to legalize documents in order to get them accepted by courts, banks and other institutions.
When a document requires notarization, the translator will simply affix a certified translation of the document to the original once it has been translated into English, and then have their certification and seal notarized by a public notary.
Finding the best notaries to notarize your documents
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