In this article, you’ll learn what a certified document translation is, some common examples, when a certified document is required and whether the translation needs notarization, tips when hiring a certified translation services company, and ends with why businesses and individuals choose Languex to certify their documents.
What is a Certified Translation?
A certified translation converts a document from one language to a second language (English) as required for an official or administrative process. What makes a translation certified is that a signed declaration (on company letterhead) confirms that: The translator is qualified to translate the document because they are fluent in both languages. The declaration identifies the translator. The document(s) translation is a complete, accurate, word-for-word translation.
The only requirement for a certified translation is that it comes with a certificate of accuracy. A certified translator has taken and passed an exam that tests their aptitude with professional translating skills.
This certificate does not confirm the document’s authenticity nor the integrity of its contents, and it only verifies that the translation adheres to certification standards.
Steps Needed for a Certified Translation
- Step 1: Submit a digital copy of the document using Languex’s secure online ordering portal.
- Step 2: An experienced project manager and a bilingual translator are assigned to your order.
- Step 3: The translation is complete within 24 hours of the order being placed. Languex has a rigid quality control process in place to ensure customers instructions were followed, the translation is word-for-word accurate, and Languex’s standards of excellence were followed.
- Step 4: Customer reviews the translation. Languex offers free revisions.
- Step 5: Once the customer okays the translation, a final copy is emailed to the client.
Languex can send hard copies by two-day priority mail. Rush Orders are available.
All information is encrypted and stored on secure servers. Customers may request the information be deleted.
What Types of Documents Need Certification?
A certified document translation is intended for official purposes when an institution requires a translation to be complete and accurate by a certificate of accuracy. A USCIS certified translation is an administrative protocol for entities such as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Colleges and universities, the courts, and many governments (local, state, and federal) also require certified document translations.
Government and academic entities are not the only ones relying on certified translation services. Some businesses and corporations need business translation services to validate financial reports, patent filings, legal documents, and business agreements for all stakeholders.
How Much Does Certification Cost?
Languex’s document translation service is fast and affordable. A one-page document of 250 words takes 24 hours to translate. The cost is $24.50 per page.
How Long Does It Take to Have a Document Certified?
With Languex certified translation services, you can expect a 24-hour turnaround for a certified translation of your documents. Once the certified document translation has been completed, it’s forwarded to quality assurance to check for errors. You will have a chance to review the document for issues before it is finalized. Languex offers free revisions until the customer is 100% satisfied.
Bulk business orders may take 3 to 5 business days. Languex works with each client to develop a schedule that suits both parties. Languex also has an expedited service option.
Can Anyone Certify a Document?
According to State.gov, for immigration requirements, “The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate. They are competent to translate from the foreign language into English.”
As an immigration application best practice, the translator should be an approved translation services professional. This establishes confidence that the document was translated with precision by someone with no conflict of interest regarding the application.
A software application like Google Translate cannot do the translation, and a skilled person must translate the documents word-for-word. Languex has translating experts fluent in over 65+ languages.
What’s the Difference Between Certification and Notarization?
While certified translations can be notarized to certify the authenticity of a signature, having a notary witness the signature does not make it certified. A translation becomes certified when a qualified translator or translating service signs off on its accuracy and confirms a credentialed translator did the transcription.
A notary public verifies the identities of the translator and the owner of the documents by signing and affixing their notary seal on the records. The notary does not certify the integrity of the translation.
It is often necessary to obtain notarized translations of education-related documents, such as high school transcripts, college decrees or diplomas, or other institutional related documents. When needed, Languex offers notarized translations in addition to certified translation services.
What is a Certified Document Translation, and When is it Required?
A certified document translation is a word-for-word translation of a source document accompanied by a signed statement from a certified translator, which attests to the thoroughness and accuracy of the translation but not the validity of the original document. The certification letter attests to the translator’s qualifications, the completeness and accuracy of the transcription, identification of the translated document and language, and the translator’s name, signature, and date.
Governmental agencies and most legal, financial, regulatory, and academic institutions require certified document translations when submitting foreign-language documents.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services require a USCIS certified translation. Other Certified examples are birth, marriage, and death certificates, vaccination records, criminal records, deeds, diplomas, and other school records.
Personal records or papers, journals, diaries, school records, or business documents such as policy or employee manuals, business documents, that are not intended for official use need not be certified or notarized.
Certified translations are charged on a per-page (250 words) basis.
When is Notarization Needed for My Certified Document Translation?
A notarization is less about the quality and accuracy of the translation and more about the authentication of the translator. Is the person who performed the translation who they say they are? A notary public is an individual who the government authorizes to oversee and authenticate various legal formalities – one of them being notarizing translations.
Any certified translator takes their work to a notary public, swears an oath to its accuracy, and signs an affidavit. The affidavit is valid once the notary public verifies the translator’s identity, signs, and stamps the document with their official seal. The notary does not consider the quality or accuracy of the work done by the translator – they verify the translator’s identity, that’s all.
What Certified Document Translations Need Notarizing?
Notarization is used for public, private bodies, or official state bodies. For instance, you need a notarized English translation of USCIS documents. A notarized document contains information such as the name of the document issuer, preparation date, the place where the document was prepared, issued, and signed, and the translator’s signature.
Foreign legal documents need notarization, and notarization is one of the easiest ways to certify business transactions.
Examples of documents that need notarization include deeds, court orders, contracts, intellectual property, immigration, naturalization, or adoption papers. Documents related to education include diplomas, degrees, transcripts or other academic papers, and wills or judgments.
Why Individuals and Companies Choose Languex
Languex is the premier online certified document translation service. Languex performs Standard and Certified document translations, and they also know when each is best used. Languex is a corporate member of the American Translator Association (ATA). Their service is fast, accurate, and affordable.
If you decide to go with an official document translation service solely on delivery speed and price, you may be disappointed with the results. Here’s a bullet list of Languex’s services set them apart from other translation companies:
- Languex only uses human translators
- All translators are bilingual, fluent in the languages they translate, and understand the culture and nuances of the locale
- Languex guarantees prompt on-time delivery
- Languex’s prices are firm with no hidden fees
- Languex offers free revisions and free formatting
- Languex offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Check out the company’s reviews on Trustpilot
- Languex has positive testimonials on its website
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