When obtaining document translation for a purpose such as applying for an immigrant visa or to attend school in another country, you may wonder whether your translated personal documents (birth certificate, passport, etc.) need to be certified or notarized. How do you know if a translation requires one or the other – or both? Today, the official translation experts at ABS will shed some light on the difference between certification vs. notarization and how to tell when either is necessary.
Do I Need a Certified or Notarized Translation?
As a general rule, you’ll most likely need to get a translation certified before submitting it to a government agency or an educational institution in a foreign country. Certification entails having a statement added that verifies the translator’s qualifications, along with the quality and authenticity of the translation.
A certified translation might also be requested for:
- Supporting documents in a legal case
- International medical study documents
- Financial documents
As you can see, a range of different scenarios in both the personal and professional spheres may call for official certified document translation. So, what about notarization? Typically, certification will be sufficient, but it’s always a good idea to double check what steps are necessary for your translated documents to be accepted by the agency. For instance, international universities may specify that student transcripts must be notarized.
As a crucial note, keep in mind that certification and notarization are not interchangeable terms, as they have different meanings and purposes. A notary seal confirms the translator’s identity, but it does not validate the accuracy of the translation.
Turn to ABS for Reliable, Accurate Certified Translations
Whether you need documents professionally translated and certified or notarized, the seasoned specialists at ABS are here to help you complete your project successfully and promptly. Our global team features linguists with the knowledge and experience needed to translate and certify documents with all sorts of subject matter, to/from 100+ world languages. To tell us about your project and find out if we’re a good match, give us a call at 215-233-3000 today!