Until recently, borders could hinder business, education, and personal life. In other words, you might be applying to be accepted into a university abroad, setting up a product in another country, and checking the final steps of immigration. Finally, when all these stages reach an exhilarating phase, a requirement that is quite heavy on your head will present itself: submitting documents in another language.
Yet, no one will accept your bilingual friend doing the conversion or a free online tool. The authorities must ensure accuracy and authenticity. This is why certified translations are important. They will be the official key that opens these international doors. This blog will define a certified translation, its importance, and how to get one accepted every time.
What is a Certified Translation? (It’s Not Just a Translated Document)
A certified translation is produced with a statement signed by the translator or the translation company. Its purpose is to certify the translation as a “true and accurate” rendering of the original document. Think of it like this: anyone can string some words up in some other language, but a certified translation attests to the significance, context, and format of the translation. Hence, such a translation attains the status of a legally binding document.
There are two common types of certification:
- Translator Certification: This type of document consists of a signed statement by the translator attesting to their designation and declaring that the translation work is done accurately. The translator claims that they are competent in both languages.
- Notarized Certification: This adds a few steps. The translator executes the Certificate of Accuracy before a notary public, who will stamp it. The notary will not certify the correctness of the translation; the notary will merely certify the genuineness of the signature.
A translator’s certificate will suffice in many official realms in the USA, notably with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). However, some institutions or countries may require a notarized certification; it is always best to check the exact requirements beforehand.
Why You Can’t Skip the Certification
You might wonder why certification is such a big deal. Can’t you just use a good translation? The answer is no, and here’s why:
- Legal Requirement: The government offices, courts, and universities virtually require that translations be certified. An uncertified translation would be rejected, thereby creating enormous delays.
- Prevents Fraud and Errors: This process enforces accountability. The translator or the translation company certifies the translation to support their work legally. It stops bad translation, omissions, or any intentional alteration that might cause serious consequences.
- Ensures Consistency: Official documents often contain specific and technical terminology. Certified translators have experience treating this kind of language consistently (e.g., correctly translating “Bachelor of Science” every time). Global Recognition: Internationally recognized certified translations shall be accepted and trusted by institutions, creating a smooth path to embark upon international life.
Using an uncertified translation for an official process is like trying to board a plane with a handwritten boarding pass; no matter how well it’s written, it simply won’t be accepted.
Choosing ATA Certified Translation Services
You understand what a certified translation is. Now comes the most important question: How do you find somebody you can trust? That is the matter of quality. Some certifications do not really stand equally in value to a translator or translation agency. At the highest levels of assurance, one should search for professional translation services rated under the ATA.
The American Translators Association is the primary professional association for translators and interpreters in the United States. Their certification is an established industry benchmark for quality.
Here’s what it means when a company offers ATA-certified translation services:
- Rigorous Testing: An ATA-certified translator has just passed a rigorous proctored test that tests whether they can translate competently for a specific language pair (i.e., English into Spanish). The pass rate is low, so those who pass have demonstrated exceptional capability.
- Guaranteed Expertise: ATA certification is not membership; it’s an earned credential. It provides independent assurance that the translator possesses the necessary vocabulary, cultural competence, and writing skills.
- A Professional Commitment: ATA-certified practitioners adhere to a professional code of conduct and ethics. They commit to confidentiality, accuracy, and integrity.
When you hire a company that employs ATA-certified translators, you’re not getting just a translated document. You’re getting a document produced by a trained specialist who has been screened. So, you have the definite best level of assurance that it will pass the standard of the requesting agency.
Your Checklist: Documents That Almost Always Need Certification
What kinds of documents usually undergo this legal procedure? The list is exhaustive, but some of the usual ones are:
- Immigration (USCIS): Birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce orders, academic transcripts, passports, police clearance certificates, and financial documents.
- Academic Applications: High school and university diplomas, academic transcripts, reference letters, and course syllabi for credit transfer.
- Legal Proceedings: Court orders, witness statements, contracts, patents, evidence of litigations, and transcripts of depositions.
- Business: Articles of Incorporation, financial statements, product manuals, legal agreements, and marketing materials for regulatory approval.
- Medical: Clinical trial reports, patient medical histories, and research articles for overseas publication.
You must be careful: if a document is official and legal in the original language, its translation will almost always need certification.
How to Order a Certified Translation: A Simple 4-Step Process
Getting a certified translation is straightforward when working with a professional service.
- Provide Your Documents: You must present a clear, scanned copy of the original document requiring translation. All text must be legible.
- Get a Quote and Timeline: The service examines your document, tells you how much it will cost, and sets a delivery date. Generally, the cost is per word or per page.
- The Professional Translation: Your document will be translated with due diligence by an experienced translator, often ATA-certified. Then, a second professional usually proofreads the document for error detection.
- Certified Package Delivery: You can expect to receive the translated document and the signed Certificate of Accuracy, usually compiled into a single PDF document for easy submission. Some companies may also be able to mail you hard copies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To ensure a smooth experience, steer clear of these common pitfalls:
- Taking Google Translate for Granted: Machine translation is wonderful for a rough idea of a menu or a news report, but official documents are unacceptable. It falls short on subtlety, accuracy, and legal validity.
- Using an Unqualified Bilingual Friend: Even if your friend is bilingual, they are not a professional translator. They might miss technical vocabulary, make stylistic mistakes, or be unable to provide a valid Certificate of Accuracy.
- Not Verifying the Requirements: Always verify with the organization requesting the translation (e.g., USCIS, the university, the court) to ensure their specific certification requirements. Do they require notarized certification, or is a translator’s certification adequate?
- Picking Based on Cost Alone: The lowest price is usually the most costly mistake. Rejected translation equals spending twice, not meeting deadlines, and risking possible legal issues. Spending money on good quality initially saves time, money, and hassles.
Conclusion: Your Partner in a Borderless World
Any steps through international requirements seem overwhelming, but following an OK certified translation is relatively straightforward if one knows the basics. Remember that certified translation is synonymous with an attested official document, breaking down into the same concept in virtually all jurisdictions; such a document is required in nearly all formal proceedings. Should you want the highest assurance of quality and acceptance, seeking out a translation service that is ATA-certified is the reference.
Choosing a professional service means you are not only settling for words on paper but paying for peace of mind that a significant setback or glitch will not affect your important life or business events.
When you want to advance your international business interests, you will require someone you trust. Connected Translation provides accurate and trustworthy certified translations for all personal and business needs. Because of our commitment to quality, your documents will be handled with the utmost care and professionalism, allowing you and the organization you represent to open doors worldwide. Let us help you transform translation from your biggest hurdle into your strongest asset.
