Certified translation services

A Specialized Process

One specialized service offered by translators is certified translation services, which involves the translation of official documents meant for legal use in the country it is translated for . Any translator may perform certified translation services, though only few highly skilled ones can produce quality end products. Compared to conventional translation, certified translation services entail the performance of a series of checks to ensure that the exact information is contained in the translated work.

Certified translation services are not for average translators, it requires both expertise and familiarity with native legal system to be able to produce certified translations. Though there is no single international certification agency or body, some countries have local organizations that provide certain certifications to translators. In the United States, the American Translators Association (ATA) offer opportunities for translators to be certified in several language pairs. The Department of Social and Health Services likewise performs screenings on translators wishing to work on materials for and by the department, in a specific language pair. Passing this screening affords the distinction of being a “DSHS Certified Translator.”

Some countries have sworn translators that perform certified translation services, with the produced document automatically recognized as official.

All these practices serve to manifest efforts of achieving some sort of standard of quality for certified translation services in several language pairs.

In the United States, works done by providers of certified translation services need to be notarized in order to be of official use. Attached to the translated copy is the clause made by the certified translator or translation company that all the translations made are accurate and complete, with affixed signature of the translator or translation service representative. Also included in the document to be notarized is the original source text. Though the Seal of a Notary Public does make the document applicable for official use, it does not in any way assure the accuracy of its translation, only the identification of the persons presenting the documents. This process may have some variations in other countries and localities and may require additional documentation such as an Apostille, so those seeking certified translation services would best solicit the advice of local authorities for guidance.

Examples of documents commonly handled by a provider of certified translation services are certificates of birth, death, marriage or divorce, adoption papers, medical and legal diplomas, school records, legal case works, wills, and other pertinent documents for immigration or naturalization. Patents, protocols, as well as forms for research data and case reports would also need certified translation services.

The rates for certified translation services may be slightly higher compared to the usual translation work done, depending on text length and complexity, particularly the in executing the translation to the target language. It goes without saying that the more exotic the language, the more complex the process. However, along with the specialized rate is the assurance that any information contained in the document should be treated with outmost confidentiality. This is one reason why Americans seeking certified translation services should go only to translation services certified by ATA to ensure professionalism and privacy in the process. In other countries, or in cases where no certified translator for the specific language pair is available, the client may approach other translation service providers deemed trustworthy and reliable. Some indicators of a professional translator capable of providing certified translation services would be enough number of years spent in the business, possession of a formal education in translation, expertise and experience in dealing with specific legal documents, and membership in trade organizations, preferably the American Translators Association. This particular organization even has a booklet entitled A Consumer’s Guide to Professional Translation, which presents guidelines in selecting providers of certified translations services and describes the process of having documents notarized for official use.

Another form of certified translation services is the apostille, in which certification is given by a certain governmental division, like the State Department, the Foreign Ministry or the Justice Ministry, on the authenticity of a document and certify it as genuine.