While the words “certified translation” may bring to mind a translation that has gone through a rigorous process to check its validity, in the United States the reality is much simpler. A certified translation is simply a translation accompanied by the source text and a straightforward signed statement in which the translator attests to her ability to translate the material and the accuracy of the document.
Most documents granted by any government body must include a certification of accuracy along with the translation. The following is not an exhaustive list, but will give you an idea of which translations may require a certification from the translator:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Transcripts
- Identity documents
- Immigration documents
- Wills
Some clients may request that the translation be signed by a notary public to add an extra layer of assurance that the translation is correct and complete. In these cases, the notary public simply adds her signature and seal to prove that she has witness the translator sign the certification.
U.S.-based translators may also be certified by the American Translators Association (ATA), which offers certification in some language pairs. Keep in mind, however, that a translator can be a member of the ATA without having been certified in her language pair.
In other countries, such as Argentina, Spain, and Mexico, only Sworn Translators may produce certified translations. Each country has different requirements for their sworn translators, but there is generally a minimum education requirement in translation studies as well as a licensing process and possibly an exam. If you intend that a translation be recognized as legal and valid in one of these countries, your translation can only be certified by a sworn translator. In some cases, the translation can also be authenticated by the embassy or consulate in the destination country.
If your translated document will be used in the U.S., the process of certifying a translation is simple and straightforward. But if you intend to present the translation outside of the U.S., you will need to check into the requirements of the destination country to ensure that the translation will be accepted.
