Certified Translation Questions
We are aware of the fact that various terms appear when it comes to translation, and certified translation questions pop up every time you need to deal with USCIS. This is why we have created this page and tried to answer to the most important questions that you may need answers to.
What is the meaning of a certified translation service?
It is a kind of service provided by several companies in the US to those individuals that require translation service for one purpose or the other. A certified translation service provider will help you to translate any of your documents from one language to another and will also certify that the document is correct and an exact copy of the original document. You can use such certified translation documents for applying to schools and universities in the US or for immigration to the US and several other purposes.
When do you require a certified translation service?
If you need to submit any of your documents, like the marriage certificate of birth certificate for the purpose of immigration, but that document was not written in English, then you need the service of a certified translation provider to translate these documents to the acceptable language in the United States.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is one in which a signed statement accompanies the translation, stating that the translated document is complete and accurate to the best of the translator’s ability and knowledge. The translation can be certified by just any translation company or translator.
What is the difference between notarized and certified?
There are times you may be required to notarize a document instead of certifying the document. If the document is already signed by the issuer, it cannot be notarized again, except a notary is present when it is being signed.
The requesting party must be consulted to determine if what they want is notarization or certification. There are also times that the notarized document may need to be legalized or authenticated for it to be useful in another country.
What is the difference between official translation and notarized translation?
The two types of official translations in the United States are notarized and certified translations.
Check the acceptable definitions below:
Certified: It indicates the translation had been done by a professional translator and not by just anybody who happens to understand the language. If the work is done by a certified translator, he or she will add at the bottom of the document that “I am competent to translate from French to English and the preceding is the complete and accurate translation of the original.” Also, the translator should add his or her contact information, name, date and signature to the statement.
Notarized: It is similar to certified translation, though it adds something extra. A notary must be present while the translator is signing the certification statement. The certification is being notarized by the notary signature and stamp and not that of the translator.
What is a certified copy?
This is the primarily translated copy that bears the certificate or endorsement stating that it is a complete copy of the original document.
What is a certified copy of a birth certificate?
The registrar’s seal represents the major difference between informational and official copies of birth certificates. It states that the birth certificate is certified and issued by the government. Different states have different seals; the seal comes in various forms too; it can be multicolored, impressed, embossed or raised..
Can a notary public translate a document?
The notary public is not qualified to translate a document even if he or she understands the native language.. Be that as it may, the translator’s signature can be notarized by the notary; the notarization gives attestation that the translation is accurate.
What is an authorized translation?
It can be called a notarized translation at times. It can also be called a stamped translation or an official translation. It is legally binding, and it has an equal measure of legal weight like the original document. The presence of the signature and stamp of the authorized translator make such document to be authentic.
What is an official translation?
It is a form of document that is accompanied by a signed statement by the translator stating that the translation is complete and accurate to the best of his or her ability and knowledge. The translation can be certified by any translation company or translator.
How do you certify a document?
Simply take both the original and photocopied documents and ask the translator to certify the photocopy by simply writing on it “Certified to be a true copy of the original seen by me.” Aside from the statement, the copy must also be dated and signed. The translator must also add his or her name under the signature, as well as the telephone number, address, and occupation.
What is a certified copy of a passport?
USCIS can accept the photocopy of your documents from you, like your marriage certificate or birth certificate. This will protect the original document from being lost. The reverse is the case when you have to apply for an immigration visa and need to submit the original copy of your documents to NVC. When in this kind of situation, the best thing to do is to obtain more copies of the original from the place where the first one was issued. This means you will be in possession of multiple original documents of the marriage certificate or both certificate and you can present an original copy while still retaining other original copies.
What is a certified copy of a marriage certificate for a passport?
When a marriage certificate bears on it the certificate or endorsement that it is an exact copy of the original document, it is referred to as a certified copy. It does not say that the original document is authentic; it only states that the translation is a true picture of the primary document.
Can a notary notarize a document written in a foreign language?
The notary is not prohibited from notarizing any document by state laws if the document is not written in the English language. In certain circumstance, however, it is not advisable for the notary to notarize the document written in a foreign language; this will be seen as a misrepresentation of the document by the translator to the notary.
Do I need notarized translation for USCIS?
In the past USCIS was requiring notarized translation for just about any document written in any other language than English, however, things have changed. At this time, USCIS only requires certified translation for most of your documents, only in particular cases they would require a translation to be notarized.
Why are we available 24/7 and provide free quotes?
Well, first of all, Certified Translation is available 24/7 online because the time difference is an essential factor for our clients from all over the world. But most importantly, we are against the tortoise culture of the general translation industry: it is common in our trade to take days to reply to a quotation request, which is not something we would ever do. Being available 24/7 is a great way to make sure that our clients will have all the answers that they need right away.
Our Free quotes culture
Many translation agencies charge for quotations, but we feel like excerpt is the way of saying Hi! No one should be charged for asking for a quote. We are here to look at your translation request and give you an estimated price right away. If you have any questions, then you should come to us, and we will answer. If you need a quote, we will give you one for free with no obligations from you.
How do we reduce costs for translations?
Our services are directed to anyone needing translation for immigration to the US and our prices have to fit any pocket. Like with any other business, the more work you get, the more you earn. We stick to that and therefore we charge some of the lowest rates in the US.
Do I need a certified translator for USCIS?
The certified translation of all the documents that you submit to USCIS is a compulsory requirement. The translator needs to provide a certificate of authenticity that states all of his credentials, bears his signatures and includes his contact details. But the translator does not need to be a certified translator himself.
At this point, you must be wondering what the difference between a certified translation and the certified translator is?! Let’s us explain the difference briefly to your understanding.
Certified Translation
If a translation comes with a certificate of authenticity, then the translation is known as certified translation.
Certified Translator
If a translator has passed the certification exam from the American Translators’ Association, then the translator is known as a certified translator.
You need a certified translation, but you do not need a certified translator.
When is certified translation not needed?
You do not need certified translations of private documents that would not be presented for legal procedures such as family letters and other papers. There is no requirement to have the translated text and images of a site certified.
The best thing to do when you are in doubt is to ask the organization, company or the person you are presenting the documents to. While certified translations are required for things that create a legal report, there are also companies and organizations that have different conditions, so it is always good to ask.
What If a Birth Certificate Is Not Available?
If a birth certificate is not possible from the government, a notarized affidavit with the accurate information is needed from one of the parents. If the parents are no longer alive, then any older blood relative can give the affidavit.
The affidavit must include:
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Place of birth
- Parents’ full names
- Parents’ dates of birth
- Parents’ place of birth
- Parents’ date of marriage
The affidavit must be completed by a certificate from the government stating that no record of the birth certificate is available. If a parent or another relative provide the affidavit, it also must describe the relationship with the applicant.
The above are the most important certified translation questions we get all the time from various clients. If you have questions that are not in this list, get in touch with us by live chat and our project managers will be able to give you the right answers.
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