What is a certified translation?

A certified translation is a translation that has been formally verified for use in official purposes. Documents that require certified translation services might include papers that have to be submitted to an Immigration or Naturalisation department (such as birth, marriage and divorce certificates), official transcripts (such as high school certificates, university degrees and vocational training certificates), regulatory documents (such as informed consents, protocols, research data forms and case report forms), patents and many others.

How can a translation be certified?

A translation can be certified in many different ways. The service depends on the nature of the document and its usage. It is important always to check with your legal representative which of the following certifications is most relevant for your purposes.

Basic certified translation service

This is a translation to which the translator or the agency has added a statement, attesting that the target-language text is an accurate and complete translation of the source-language text.

Certified translation service by sworn translator

A certified or sworn translator is a professional who has been duly authorised by the government of the country in question to translate and notarise a document. Any certified translation produced by a sworn translator is an official document in its own right. The translation is certified with a stamped declaration which is written in the relevant language, as well as in English.

Certified translation service by apostille.

This is a certification under which a government department, usually the State Department, Justice Ministry or Foreign Ministry, authenticates a document as genuine. Once a document has been apostilled, it is automatically deemed legalised for use in another country.

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