Certified translation is a translation that is accompanied by a signed statement from the translator or translation service, attesting that the translation is accurate and complete. This certification is often required for legal documents, academic transcripts, immigration papers, and other official documents where precision and authenticity are crucial.
Accuracy: The translation must faithfully represent the original document in both meaning and context.
Certification Statement: The translator provides a declaration that includes their qualifications, the date of the translation, and a statement of accuracy.
Acceptance: Certified translations are often required by government agencies, universities, and courts.
Qualifications: While there are no universal standards for who can certify a translation, many translators have specific qualifications or certifications that lend credibility to their work.
Formatting: The translated document typically retains the original formatting to ensure it matches the official appearance of the original.
In summary, certified translation is essential for ensuring that translated documents meet legal and official standards.
A certified translation is a translated document that is accompanied by a signed statement (a "certificate of accuracy") from the translator or translation company. This statement attests that the translation is a complete and accurate rendition of the original source document.
The certification does not comment on the quality of the original document or the authenticity of its contents—only that the translation accurately reflects what is written in the original.
The certification is typically a separate letter or page attached to the translation. It must include:
A Statement of Accuracy: A phrase like "I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and ability, the foregoing document is a true, accurate, and complete translation of the original document provided."
Translator's Credentials: The translator's name, signature, and date.
Contact Information: The translator's or company's address and phone number.
Identification of the Documents: The name and description of the original document and the translated document (e.g., "Italian Driver's License issued to Mario Rossi").
Important: In some countries, like the United States, there is no official government "license" for translators. Certification is a self-declaration by a competent professional. In other countries (e.g., the UK, Australia, Canada), translators may need to be accredited by a national organization like the ATA (American Translators Association) or a government-appointed sworn translator.
Certified translations are almost always required for official and legal purposes where the accuracy of the translation is critical. Government agencies and other institutions need a guarantee that the translation they are receiving is faithful to the original. You will typically need one for:
Immigration Applications (e.g., USCIS in the U.S.): Birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas, passports, affidavits.
Academic Applications: Foreign transcripts, diplomas, and recommendation letters for university admission.
Legal Proceedings: Court documents, witness statements, contracts, patents.
Medical Purposes: Medical records for treatment or clinical trials.
Business: Articles of Incorporation, financial statements, tenders for international contracts.
This depends on the requirements of the organization requesting the translation.
Professional Translation Companies: This is the most common route. Reputable companies use qualified translators and provide a certification letter on company letterhead, often with a notarized signature.
Independent Professional Translators: Many experienced translators are qualified to self-certify their own work. They sign and stamp the certificate of accuracy themselves.
Notarized Certification: Some entities (like certain courts or counties) may require the translator's signature on the certificate to be notarized. This means the translator signs the statement in front of a public notary, who verifies the translator's identity. Important: The notary is not certifying the accuracy of the translation, only the identity of the person who signed it.
It's crucial to understand the difference, as these terms are often confused:
Certified Translation: About the accuracy of the language transfer. As explained above.
Notarized Translation: About the identity of the translator. The notary public witnesses the translator's signature but does not vouch for the translation's quality.
Apostille: This is a certification of the document's origin, not the translation. An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the signature and seal of a public official on a document (like a birth certificate). It is issued under the Hague Convention. You often need to get the original document apostilled first, and then get a certified translation of both the original document and the apostille certificate.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| What it is | A translation with a signed statement vouching for its accuracy and completeness. |
| Who provides it | A professional translator or translation company. |
| When it's needed | For official submissions to government, academic, legal, and medical institutions. |
| What it is NOT | It is not a guarantee of the original document's truthfulness, nor is it a government-issued license for the translator (in most cases). |
Final Tip: Always check with the organization requesting the translation for their specific requirements. They will tell you exactly what type of certification they need (e.g., simple certification, notarization, translation from an ATA-certified translator).
