Certified Translation

What a certified translation is, what a translator certification usually describes, and how certified translation differs from notarization, apostille, and credential evaluation.

A certified translation is a translation accompanied by a statement from the translator or translation provider describing the translation and the person or organization responsible for it. The exact wording, format, signer, and acceptance standard can vary by the organization using the document.

What certification refers to

The certification ordinarily concerns the translation and the translator’s representation about its completeness or accuracy. It does not turn the translation into an official copy of the original record.

Certified translation vs. notarization

Notarization and translation certification are different functions. A notary performs an authorized notarial act. A translator or translation company produces the translation and any accompanying certification statement. Whether a certification statement is notarized is a separate question.

Certified translation vs. credential evaluation

Translation changes the language in which information is presented. Credential evaluation interprets an academic credential within another education system. A translated transcript and an evaluated credential can therefore serve different purposes.

Certified translation and international document use

Translation can appear alongside apostille, authentication, legalization, certified-copy, or delivery requirements. Those steps answer different questions, so the presence of one does not establish whether another is required.