Frequently Asked Questions
Translations
Listed below are some of our most frequent questions regarding our Notary Services:
What happens if there are more than 250 words on a page?
Before your documents are translated, they will be reviewed by the translators to ensure they are readable and to evalvuate how many words are on each page being translated. If there are more words on a page than originally anticipated you will be notified before our translators perform the translation to see if you would like to proceed per the additinal charges.
Can I scan and email you documents to be translated?
Yes, as long as you are not wanting the same documents apostilled. Please Note - every government agency in the United States will only apostille original documents.
Are the translated copies certified?
Yes. All documents that we translated will receive a cover letter, certifying the translated documents. Please Note - this Translation Certificate will be in English and will not be translated.
Are the translated copies notarized?
For an additional charge of $15, per document being translated, we can have your translated document(s) notarized.
Do I need to translate the documents before or after they are apostilled?
In most cases, documents being apostilled are translated after they are apostilled, so that the Apostille Certificate will be translated too.
However, all federal agencies (i.e USDOS, USDOJ), including Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, North Carolina. North Dakota, and Oklahoma will not apostille documents that are in a foreign language.
Will the translated copies look exactly like the original document(s)?
No. The translator's only responsibility is to translate the documents into the language requested. The translations will not be printed on special paper and will not be formatted exacted like the original document.
Does the U.S. Government apostille documents written in a foreign language?
Most U.S. States will apostille documents written in a foreign language as long as the Notarial Certificate (where applicable) is written in English.
However, all federal agencies (i.e USDOS, USDOJ), including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina. North Dakota, Oklahoma, and South Carolina will not apostille documents that are in a foreign language.
How many languages do you translate?
We translate documents into over 63 languages and visa versa (from over 63 languages to English). Click here for a list of the languages we translate.
What is a Notarized Translation?
A Notarized Translation is a translation that is accompanied by a notarized signature and stamp, certifying the identity of the translator. A notarized translation is not a measure of quality control. Instead, it is a way of ensuring all parties involved in the translation followed the appropriate procedures.
At no point in the process does the Notary Public verify the professional translator's work. Instead, they are verifying the translator's identity. As long as the translator believes the work is accurate and complete, the oath (Jurat) they sign is considered sufficient evidence to the fact.
What is a Certified Translation?
A Certified Translation requires the translator or translation agency sign a statement saying the translation is accurate and provides a true representation of the original document. Unlike a Notarized Translation, a Certified Translation does not require a signed statement from a Notary Public.
When is a Notarized Translation necessary?
Due to the fact that most organizations have realized that notarized translations do not provide desired quality assurances. Many have resumed utilizing a Certified Translation System. Nonetheless, there are some who still prefer a Notarized Translation or in some cases both.
As a standard, some countries require specific types of documents to be notarized. These documents include: birth certificate, marriage certifcates, court orders, high school transcripts, or diplomas. Every government, organization, and company can have their own regulations which include requiring Notarized Transalations for formal governmental documents. Some may even require both a Notarized Translation and a Certified Translation.
As a standard, some countries require specific types of documents to be notarized. These documents include: birth certificate, marriage certifcates, court orders, high school transcripts, or diplomas. Every government, organization, and company can have their own regulations which include requiring Notarized Transalations for formal governmental documents. Some may even require both a Notarized Translation and a Certified Translation.
Does a Certified Translation require a Certified Translator?
No. Technically anyone can certify a translation, and the translator does not have to be certified. Anyone who is comfortably fluent in both languages can perform their own translations of any formal document. However, this can generate several challenges and drawbacks,
Hiring a reputable Translation Agency to provide a certificate of accurracy ensures the highest quality and acceptance of your important documents.
What is a Certified Translator?
Certified Translator requirements vary around the United States. Technically any skilled professional translator can provide certified translation.
In the United States an official Certified Translator is someone who is certified by the American Translators Association (ATA) for written translation. Nonetheless Certified Translators are not usually required for Certified Translations.
When is a Certified Translation necessary?
Globally many governments, organizations, and businesses require various formal document to receive Certified Translations.
Generally speaking, only formal government, legal, regulatory, and financial documents require a Certified Translation. It is not common for informal documents such as personal letters or business documents unless they are financial or legal documents to receive Certified Translations.
Best practice says, always ask the person you are submitting the documents to if the the documents need to receive a Certified Translation. Every institution and organization will have their own requirements. So it is always best to ask the person who is requesting the documents.
Can I translate my own documents?
Yes. if you are fluent in both languages, technically you can stranslate your own documents. However, there are very good reasons why Certifed Translators are in high demand. Official Certified Translators provide quality work that os as accurate as possible without any conflct of interest.
One may think they are saving money by doing their own translations, but that is seldom the case. Professional Certified Translators utilize special resources in processing high quality and efficient translations that is globally accepted by every government, organization, and company.
