When is a certified translation not needed?
For documents you only need to understand yourself, such as personal letters or websites, a regular translation is usually enough. If an office will rely on it, choose a certified translation.
When certification adds nothing
A certified translation is meant for documents that someone else relies on: USCIS, a court, a university, an employer or a bank. For texts you only want to understand yourself, certification adds nothing.
Usually no certification needed: personal letters and emails, websites, texts for your own information.
Choose a certified translation: immigration applications, court and legal matters, school and university applications, and any office that asks for an official translation.
How to decide whether you need a certified translation
- Ask yourself who will read the translation.
- If an office will rely on it, check its instructions.
- When in doubt, choose certified: it costs the same $20 per page.
Good to know about uncertified translations
- A translation that turns out to be needed for an office later can be ordered as certified then.
- Notarization is a separate step that only some offices ask for.
- All languages can be translated.
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Last updated: November 14, 2026