Insights into Certified Translation Services
A Certified Translation is a written document used for official purposes, which constitutes a legal record attesting to the translation’s accuracy when it is critical that the original meaning of the source document content has not been affected in any way. Certified translation services ensure that these translations are carried out by professional translators who are proficient in the source and target languages, guaranteeing the document’s integrity and compliance with legal requirements.
The types of documents that generally require certified translation are customs and immigration documents, birth and death certificates, academic records, real estate deeds, marriage and divorce certificates, adoption papers, medical records, financial records, wills, legal contracts, leases, and contracts, and police records.
Depending on the nature of the translated materials, it is required that the translation is certified by affidavit; i.e., the translator must declare in writing and on oath before a notary public that the translation is accurate and complete. This service is also known as Notarized Translations.
Different types of Certified Translations
Basic Certification
A certificate of translation accuracy is issued bearing the seal and signature of the translator. This kind of certification is generally requested by academic establishments, banking facility applications, etc.
Certification – Solicitor witnessed
A certificate of translation accuracy is issued bearing the seal and signature of the translator. The signing needs to be carried out in the presence of a practicing solicitor and marked accordingly. The price for a Solicitor Witnessed Certification varies depending on the size, number, and complexity of the document.
Notarization
A certificate of translation accuracy is issued bearing the seal and signature of the translator. The signing needs to be carried-out in the presence of a Notary Public, and marked accordingly.
Legalization
Apart from obtaining a certified translation (basic, solicitor, or notary public), the document(s) in question may also require either an Apostille or Consular legalization or maybe both, in order to be recognized as valid when used abroad.
Apostille Legalization
An apostille is a certificate confirming that a seal or signature on a solicitor-witnessed or Notarized document is genuine. This kind of certification is generally requested for passports, medical documents, export certificates, foreign documents, foreign language translations, religious documents, etc.
Consular Legalization
In some countries, a consular legalization of the translated document may be required. And sometimes, even an apostille legalization may be requested beforehand.
Translation Certification
Most translation companies and freelance translators assert they can provide certified translations. However, there are two kinds of certifications and not both of them are valid depending on the particular situation. Some translation companies simply add a statement to the translated document which affirms the translated text is accurate and complete while others only provide this type of translation by a sworn translator, who has been authorized by their government to translate and notarize documents themselves.
Therefore, it is vital that the moment you select a translation company for the translation of official documents you verify the method of certification services they provide.
GPI and Certified Translation Services
Globalization Partners International (GPI), a provider of comprehensive document translation, software translation, and website translation services, announced today that they have pledged support to help humanitarian translations reach more people around the world by becoming a Silver Sponsor of Translators without Borders. Translators without Borders volunteers translate millions of words each year, focusing on three types of humanitarian translations: crisis translations needed urgently to inform people in crisis, translations that support an NGO’s operations, and translations that directly support people in need of educational and healthcare information into a variety of local languages such as Kiswahili and Amharic.
GPI has contributed to the field of translation, localization, and internationalization through major academic institutions, publications, and globalization programs around the world including content contributions at numerous conferences, Multilingual Computing Magazine, Saint Louis University John Cook School of Business Executive Education Program “Executive Certificate in Web Globalization Management” and the Adobe Community Experts Forums, to name a few.
GPI is a member of the GALA-Globalization and Localization Association and the American Translators Association.
If you need a legal contract, birth certificate, or any kind of official documentation translated into any language and efficiently certified, GPI can provide you with the most proficient certified translation services to suit your needs. We offer not only the highest quality and accuracy on the translated document but also the most professional service in certification, while maintaining the strictest confidentiality on all documents received. For more information check our web page: About GPI.