A certified translation is a translated document accompanied by a signed certification from the translator or a professional translation company.

This certification confirms that the translation is accurate, complete, and faithful to the original document, with no additions, omissions, or alterations.

A Vietnamese Certified translation is often required for official, legal, academic, and immigration purposes.

 

Vietnamese Certified Translation usually shows the following:

• A statement affirming the translation is accurate and has been completed.
• The name and contact details of the translator/translation company.
• The translator’s signature.
• The date of certification.
• In other instances, the credentials or qualifications of the translator.

It is important to note that getting a certified translation doesn’t mean the translator is government-certified. Instead, it is the official statement that accompanies a translated document. A certified translation can be done by any qualified translator. 

 

When Do You Need a Certified Translation or Standard Translation?

Not all translated Vietnamese documents require certification. Knowing this distinction can assist you in saving unnecessary costs.

A Vietnamese certified translation is needed when:

• Filing USCIS documents for immigration applications (green cards, citizenship, visas)
• Application to American universities or other academic institutions.
• Submission of documents to the courts or legal proceedings.
• Marriage or birth registration, divorce proceedings, or the registration of a foreign marriage with government agencies often require certified translations to ensure official acceptance and legal validity.
• Application of professional licenses that require foreign credentials.
• Sending documents to government agencies that specifically ask for certified translations.
• Handing documents to government offices where certified translations are clearly stated.

 

A standard translation works for:

• Correspondence and communication in business
• Personal documents to use for reference
• Advertising templates and web copy
• Internal company documents
• Personal correspondence and family documents
• Personal medical records (unless requested by a medical practitioner) 

 

Vietnamese Documents Commonly Requiring Certified Translation

Over 1.5 million people in the U.S. speak Vietnamese. It is one of the most translated languages for immigration and official purposes. The most common documents that require certified translation are:

Civil documents:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Divorce decrees
• Death certificates
• Police clearance certificate
• The family household registration book

 

Educational documents:

• High school diplomas
• College diplomas and degrees
• Academic transcripts
• Professional certificates and licenses

 

Financial and legal documents:

• Legal contracts and court decisions
• Power of attorney documents
• Property deeds and titles
• Bank records and financial statements
• Documents of business registration

 

Immigration documents:

• Passports and national ID cards.
• Military service records
• Letters and contracts of employment
• Sponsorship affidavits

 

USCIS Requirements for Vietnamese Certified Translations

Certified translations follow guidelines set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Understanding these requirements can help avoid delays or rejections due to translation issues.

USCIS has stated that all foreign language documents need a complete and certified English translation. Also, the certification is required to state the competency of the translator or translation company. This gives credibility that shows the translator can translate Vietnamese into English.

Key USCIS translation requirements:

• The applicant or the petitioner cannot be the translator. You aren’t allowed to translate your own documents for immigration purposes, despite being fluent in both languages. A family member can help translate, but it’s better to use the services of a professional.
• The original formatting must be maintained. The English version should match the original Vietnamese document closely. This includes stamps, seals, and signatures.
• All text in the document must be translated. This includes stamps, seals, handwritten notes, and notations. If the text is illegible, the translator must indicate this in the translation.
• Each document should be accompanied by a certificate of accuracy. Every translated document needs a certificate of accuracy. This must be signed by the translator or a representative from the translation company.

USCIS doesn’t require notarized translations. However, some applicants may choose to notarize their documents as a precaution. The certification statement of the translation company is sufficient by itself to be used by USCIS.

 

Understanding Different Levels of Certification

The translation industry employs specific terms that may be confusing for newcomers. The following are some of their practical meanings:

Standard Certified Translation

This is the most common type. The translation company provides a signed certificate of accuracy with the translated document. This meets the requirements of USCIS, most colleges, and many legal proceedings. The certificate mentions that the translation is complete and correct.

 

Notarized Translation

This is a certified translation given to a notary public. The notary confirms the identity of the signer and verifies the signature. The notary doesn’t verify the translation’s accuracy. They only confirm that the signature is from the person it claims to be.

 

Sworn Translation

Sworn translators have legal approval from some governments. They can translate documents with official authorization. In Europe and Latin America, sworn translators are common. But in the United States, there is no official system for them.

 

Pricing Factors for Vietnamese Certified Translations

Knowing the cost of translation services helps you budget and compare quotes.

The majority of translation agencies charge per page or per word. Certified translations in Vietnamese usually go from $24.95 to $39 per page for standard service. However, complicated documents or urgent requests will cost more.

 

Per-Page Pricing

Per-page pricing is done depending on the source document. A page normally consists of 250 words or fewer, but that depends on the company. One-page documents, like birth or marriage certificates, usually cost a flat fee of $25 to $35.

 

Per-Word Pricing

Price per word depends on the number of words in the original Vietnamese document. The cost is usually between $0.10 and $0.25 per word for Vietnamese to English translation. This pricing strategy works better for longer documents. It can also save money for documents with fewer words.

Pricing is transparent with our Quick Quote Calculator (QQC). Upload your documents, choose the target language, and get an estimate in seconds. No extra charges, only quick, efficient quotes.

 

Factors that affect pricing include:

Document Type

Technical documents, medical records, and legal contracts are complex. They need special knowledge. Because of this, they often cost more than simple civil documents.

 

Turnaround time

24-hour or same-day delivery is typically a rush service, so 50-100% is added to the base price. Standard turnaround of 2-3 business days is less expensive.

 

Volume of the Document

Many translation companies may provide discounts on multiple documents or large projects.

 

If documents require exact desktop publishing to keep the original layout, extra formatting fees may apply.

When comparing companies’ quotes, ensure that you compare equivalent services. The lowest price isn’t always the best choice. It can lead to rejected applications due to poor quality or wrong certification.

 

Turnaround Time Expectations for Vietnamese Certified Translation 

Typically, standard service would deliver translated documents in 2-3 business days. For single-page documents like birth certificates, many companies offer a turnaround of 24 to 48 hours.

Rush service offers delivery on the same day or the next day, but at a higher price. Rush service is sometimes worth it when you have an urgent deadline.

Volume considerations influence delivery times. Filling out a single birth certificate might take one day. Translating a full academic transcript, which has several pages, usually takes 3 to 5 business days.

The speed at which your translation is done depends on several factors:

Turnaround times rely on the availability of skilled Vietnamese translators nearby or in the company’s network. The Vietnamese language is often requested. So, many translation services have qualified translators ready.

The condition of the document is important. You can translate clear and legible documents much faster than damaged or faded ones. The ones written by hand take extra time to decipher.

For the best turnaround time, please provide quality scans or photos of your documents. Clearly state your deadline and ask about rush options when you place your request.

 

How to Choose a Vietnamese Translation Service

Pick a good Vietnamese translation service. This way, your documents will be accepted easily.

Find USCIS acceptance translation companies. Look out for the ones that have experience working with immigration documents. Companies with extensive experience in immigration translations know the requirements and format expectations.

Check if there are native Vietnamese speakers who speak English in the company. The best translations come from translators who understand cultural differences. They convey meaning accurately, not just words.

Inquire about the quality assurance process of the company. Professional translation services must include a review process. This means a second linguist checks the translation before delivery.

Ensure the company gives the right certification per USCIS and legal rules. The certificate must include essential elements. These are the translator’s details, a statement of accuracy, a signature, and the date.

Look at the customer service and communication of the company. A company that responds quickly and keeps you informed about your translation makes you feel secure and at ease.

Look at reviews and testimonials. Focus on those from customers who use translations for similar needs.

Need a Vietnamese certified translation? Partner with GPI for accurate, professional, and reliable service.

Get a Free Quote or start with our Quick Quote Calculator.

 

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Vietnamese Translation

Knowing these pitfalls will help you avoid delays and rejection.

Do not translate documents on your own when they are official. Companies such as USCIS demand translation by a third party. Documents that are translated by the individual will be rejected.

Do not use free online translation tools to do certified translations. Machine translation can’t provide the accuracy and certification that legal documents need. Google Translate and similar tools can help you understand content. However, they can’t provide certified translations.

Do not send half-translations. Translate every word in the document. This includes stamps, seals, and marginal notes. Incomplete translations are likely to be rejected.

Do not procrastinate. Rush translations cost more and provide no time to correct in case something is wrong. Plan ahead and get translations done before your deadline.

Do not assume that all translation companies are the same. Quality is very different. A low-cost translation from an unqualified provider can get your application rejected. This mistake could end up costing you much more.

 

A Step-by-step Guide to Getting Started with Your Vietnamese Certified Translation

When you’re ready to order certified translation services, keep this info handy:

• Provide clear scanned or digital copies of all documents needing translation.
• A minimum of 300 DPI is recommended for your digital copies
• Your submission date or target date.
• The translation’s specific usage:

1. 1. USCIS applications
   2. University admissions
   3. Court filings
   4. And more

• Any special needs from the requesting organization.

Reach out to potential translation providers using this information. This will help you get accurate quotes and turnaround estimates. Most reputable companies offer free quotes. They can also answer questions about their processes and certifications.

Plan well and choose the right translation partner. Your Vietnamese documents will be translated accurately. They will also have the necessary certification for any official use you require.

© Copyright 2026 Globalization Partners International.
® All Trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
All graphics used in this report were provided by Flikr, Google Images and other free internet resources for pictures.