Certified Translation Questions
We know that various terms appear regarding translation, and certified translation questions pop up whenever you need to deal with USCIS. This is why we have created this page and tried to answer the most important questions you may need.
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 who require translation services for one purpose or another. A certified translation service provider will help you translate any of your documents from one language to another and 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 or birth certificate, for immigration, they were not written in English. You need the service of a certified translation provider to translate these documents into an 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?
Sometimes, you may be required to notarize a document instead of certifying it; if the issuer already signed it, it cannot be notarized again, except a notary is present when it is signed.
The requesting party must be consulted to determine whether they want notarization or certification. Sometimes, the notarized document may need to be legalized or authenticated for it to be helpful 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.
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 a certified translator does the work, 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 translation 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 notarized by the notary’s signature and stamp, not the translator’s.
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, and 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 document 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. Any translation company or translator can certify the translation.
An official translation is a document translation that holds legal validity and is typically required for official or legal purposes. To ensure accuracy and adherence to legal standards, an official translation is often performed by an experienced translator who is a native speaker of the target language. Personal documents, such as birth certificates or legal contracts, often necessitate official translations. These translations may involve regular or certified translation, depending on the requirements.
Translation tools and technologies, including translation memories, can aid in maintaining consistency across translation projects, especially when handled by qualified interpreters or freelance translators. The use of a machine translator, while efficient, may not suffice for official translations that require legal recognition. The delivery time for official translations can vary, with rush rates applicable for urgent requests. The translation is often provided in PDF format, and various payment methods can be used to facilitate the secure and efficient handling of official translation services.
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?
For USCIS purposes, whether a notarized translation is necessary depends on various factors, such as the level of accuracy required, the complexity of the documents, such as academic or financial documents, and the expertise of the translator or experienced project manager overseeing the process. While USCIS may not mandate notarization, it can provide extra assurance against incorrect interpretations, especially for vital records or green card applications, potentially speeding up processing times within standard business days.
However, notarization may not be essential for simpler documents like marketing materials or Department of Motor Vehicles forms. However, ensuring the level of expertise and accuracy remains crucial, possibly requiring certificates of accuracy to accompany the translated documents.
In the past, USCIS required notarized translation for just about any document written in any other language than English; however, things have changed. Currently, USCIS only requires certified translation for most of your documents; only in particular cases would they require a translation to be notarized.
Notarized translations are generally not required when dealing with USCIS; however, it is crucial to provide accurate and certified translations for official documents. The target language, often English, must align seamlessly with the source language in various language pairs and combinations. Legal documents submitted to USCIS must undergo human translation to ensure precision and adherence to the specific requirements of the immigration process.
Human translators, well-versed in the source language and experienced in document translations, play a vital role in producing English translations for foreign language documents that meet the standards necessary for official purposes. While machine translation can aid in some contexts, it may not guarantee the accuracy required by USCIS. Therefore, relying on human translation for a wide range of document types is advisable to navigate the complexities of immigration procedures effectively.
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 worldwide. 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 ensure our clients will have all the answers they need immediately.
Our Free quotes culture
Many translation agencies charge for quotations, but we feel like an excerpt is a 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. You should come to us with any questions, and we will answer. We will give you a quote for free with no obligations if you need one.
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 you submit to USCIS is compulsory. The translator must provide a certificate of authenticity that states all of his credentials, bears his signatures and includes his contact details. However, the translator does not need to be a certified translator himself.
For USCIS applications, it’s crucial to ensure that source documents like medical records, bank statements, school transcripts, and police records are translated accurately, meeting the translation requirements specified by USCIS. This typically requires a certified translator experienced in handling such documents to provide quality services and a translation certification for peace of mind.
Now, you must be wondering what the difference between certified translation and certified translators is!! Let’s explain the difference briefly so you can understand.
Certified Translation
If a translation comes with a certificate of authenticity, then the translation is known as a certified translation.
Certified Translator
If a translator has passed the American Translators Association certification exam, he or she is known as a certified translator.
It would be best to have 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 a site’s translated text and images 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 to create a legal report, some companies and organizations have different conditions, so it is always good to ask.
A certified translation may not be needed in certain situations, such as for personal documents like a birth certificate translation, when the translated content is intended solely for personal reference rather than official use. In cases where the original language is not a barrier, and there’s no requirement for legal or official recognition, opting for a draft translation by a qualified translator can suffice, potentially reducing the translation cost.
It may not be needed for personal use or informal purposes, such as translating academic transcripts or divorce certificates, especially when the translation is performed by a professional translation service using automatic translation tools for English language translation. However, for legal matters like immigration applications or official business transactions, an ATA-certified translator’s formal statement or certification for translators may be required to ensure accuracy and compliance with certification requirements.
Additionally, if the document requires a high-level language or legal translation, or if additional details are necessary, opting for a certified translation process becomes essential despite the complexity and longer processing time it may entail.
A literal translation may be acceptable for common documents, eliminating the need for additional certification costs. A CAT tool can help maintain consistency and coherence in translations, even without needing a certified stamp.
However, for professional translations or when the document is intended for official purposes, such as legal or immigration matters, ensuring high-quality translations by a qualified translator in the native language is crucial. It’s essential to evaluate the specific requirements of the situation to determine when a certified translation is unnecessary.
What If a Birth Certificate Is Not Available?
If a birth certificate from the government is not possible, a notarized affidavit with accurate information is needed from one of the parents. If the parents are no longer alive, an 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 with a certificate from the government stating that no record of the birth certificate is available. If a parent or another relative provides 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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