Certifying a translation verifies the accuracy of the translated document. It involves checking the translator’s credentials and confirming the translation is correct. Certified translations are necessary for legal, immigration, or professional purposes to ensure validity. The certification process affirms the translator’s qualifications and the translation’s precision. In this step-by-step guide, we will explore everything you need to know about certified translation successfully certifying your translation.

Understanding Certified Translation

A certified translation service is the translation of documents done by a professional translator. It involves translating official documents such as birth certificates, academic transcripts, contracts, and legal papers.

The translator certification statement is provided, affirming the accuracy of the translation. Certified translation is necessary for legal, immigration, and federal government purposes. It assures that the translation accurately represents the source language document.

The translator’s identity and contact information are included in the certification statement. To ensure the quality of certified translation, translators may be affiliated with organizations such as the American Translators Association, which ensures professionalism and adherence to translation standards.

What is Certified Translation?

Certified translation is the translation of documents accompanied by a certificate of accuracy. It is often required for legal, official, or professional purposes, such as immigration applications, visa applications, educational institutions, and government agencies.

A certified translator is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the translation and providing the certification statement. The certification statement is a signed statement from the translator attesting to their qualifications and the accuracy of the translation. It includes the translator’s full name, contact information, and certification details.

The certificate of translation accuracy is usually attached to the translated document, ensuring the translation is accurate and complete.

The Translation Certification Process

The process of certifying a translation involves several steps:

• First, a professional translation provider, such as a translation company or certified translator, is chosen.
• The translation provider signs a statement affirming the accuracy of the translation.
• This certification statement is an essential component of the certified translation process.
• The certification letter indicates the translation company’s professional skills and the translator’s certification.
• The letter may include the translator’s name, certification details, and contact information.
• The original document is precisely translated into the target language, ensuring that the translation accurately represents the document in the source language.
• Certified translation is often a requirement for various documents, such as school transcripts and employment contracts, to meet the specific needs of immigration services, government agencies, and other official organizations.

Where Certified Translation is Required

• Translations must be certified by the federal government and immigration services.
• They are crucial for visa applications, green card submissions, and US passport requests.
• Moreover, school transcripts, employment contracts, and divorce certificates necessitate certified translation.
• Immigration documents and legal proceedings also call for certified translation to ensure accuracy in federal government applications.

Standard Documents Requiring Certified Translation

• Birth certificates often require certification for immigration purposes.
• Legal contracts, such as employment contracts, may need certification for visa applications.
• Academic transcripts often require certified translation services.
• Divorce decrees may need notarized translation for immigration purposes.
• Asylum documents often require a certified translation for the application.

Choosing the Right Certified Translation Services

Looking for a translation agency with a strong track record in providing certified translation services is essential. Translationshop provides certified translation in over 90 languages, with a 24-hour turnaround and easy online ordering, accepted by USCIS, at $23.50 per page.

1. Find the Right Certified Translator or Translation Company

   When selecting a certified translation service, verify that the translators belong to a professional association. A good service understands all requirements for certified translations. Their translators should be skilled professionals. Look for an established agency with experience handling certifications. Translationshop provides certified translations in over 80 languages quickly with easy online orders. Their translations meet official acceptance standards.

2. Submission of Documents for Translation

   You must submit original documents to the translation provider. Meeting official guidelines is vital for the translation to be accepted. Certain documents like birth certificates might require extra notarized certification for immigration. Work contracts and academic records also typically need certified translations. The translation shop’s easy online ordering makes it easier to submit your documents for translation.

3. Receiving the Certified Translation

   Once your certified translation is complete, you can use it for official purposes requiring documents in English or languages such as USCIS, courts, or universities. The Translation certificate provides accurate translations and the translator’s verified name, qualifications, and contact information. This prevents potential conflicts of interest. Having the translator’s details also lets you get in touch with any questions about your translated document.

Certified and Notarized Translations: What is the difference?

Distinguishing between certified and notarized translations can be crucial. A certified translation is a translated document accompanied by a signed statement from the translator or translation company affirming that the translation is accurate and complete.

On the other hand, a notarized translation involves a notary public who adds their signature to the certification, confirming the identity of the individual signing the document.

What is a Notarized Translation?

Notarized translation involves the attestation of documents by a notary public. It confirms the translator’s identity and is different from certified translation. The notary public’s signed statement is crucial for notarized or certified translation.

Use Cases for Notarized Translation

Documents like birth certificates and employment contracts often require notarized translation. If you plan to submit your documents to government agencies, they may need a notary public seal and signature to validate their authenticity. Academic transcripts and employment documents may require notarized translation, as well.

Certifying translation for USCIS

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has specific rules for certified translation. Any documents not originally in English must be translated into English by an accredited translator.

The certified translation needs to include a statement from the translator. This statement confirms the translator’s qualifications and states that the translation is fully accurate.

Notably, USCIS does not allow translations done by the applicant, beneficiary, or anyone directly involved in the case. The certified translator should be fluent in both the original language and English.

Can I use Google Translate for certified translations?

Using Google Translate for certified translations is not recommended. Professional skills are crucial for accurate and reliable translations, especially for documents like immigration papers. Certified translations require a professional translator’s identity to be verified, and a certification letter is needed to authenticate the translated document.

Conclusion

Certified translations provide an official and legally recognized translated version of the original text for legal documents, academic transcripts, or business contracts. Understanding the process and requirements for certifying a translation and the difference between certified and notarized translations is essential.

Hiring a professional translator or translation company is highly recommended to ensure the highest quality and accuracy of the certified translation.

Companies like Translationshop offer quick certified translations in over 80 languages by qualified experts that meet official standards. Their online ordering and fast turnaround simplify getting what you need.