Certified translation FAQs and their importance, requirements, specific use cases, the roles of certified translators, how to identify certified translation services, and the risks of non-certified services.
Serving multilingual audiences with accurate and culturally appropriate translation is not only the right thing to do, it’s also good for business. At Interpro, we want to provide you with answers about high-quality translation services because we pride ourselves on quality and professionalism. That includes providing translations that are certified in adherence to International Standards Organization (ISO) standards for Quality Management and Translation Services. As an ISO-certified translation company and an accredited member of The Association of Translation Companies (ATC), our teams follow rigorous steps to guarantee the accuracy and quality of our translations, and the attentiveness of our customer service.
Topics covered in this article:
- What is a certified translation?
- What is considered a certified translation?
- Why would I need a certified translation?
- What are more specific use cases for certified translations?
- What does a certified translator do?
- What is the difference between certified translation and official translation?
- What is the difference between a certified translation and a notarized translation?
- How do I know if my translation service is certified?
- What are the rules for certified translation?
- What are the most important considerations when hiring a certified translation company?
- What other attributes do certified translation companies possess?
- What are some of the risks of using a non-certified translation service?
What is a certified translation?
We cover the basics of “What is a Certified Translation?” but to summarize:
A certified translation is one that has been done by a professional translator who is certified by a recognized translation organization or agency, and is accompanied by a signed statement from the translation agency affirming that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original source language content.
According to the American Translators Association, anyone in the United States can produce a translation. The individual translator can certify their translations, as can an employee of a translation company if they seek certification from a regulating governing body like the ATC. A translator may also certify someone else’s translation as long as they have reviewed it for accuracy and completeness, and it will not be changed after being certified.
What is considered a certified translation?
A certified translation is a translation of a document that is accompanied by a signed statement attesting to the accuracy and completeness of the translation. This statement is typically provided by a professional translator or a translation agency. The statement affirms that the translation is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge and ability.
Why would I need a certified translation?
Certified translations are often required for official purposes, including legal documents, academic transcripts, immigration forms, and business contracts. In these instances, accuracy and authenticity are paramount. The certification provides assurance that the translation accurately represents the original document.
What are more specific use cases for certified translations?
Certified translations help to avoid misunderstandings or legal complications. A few specific examples follow.
- Legal Documents. Contracts, court orders, affidavits, and patents may need to be translated for legal proceedings or submission to government agencies, or documents that ensure that all parties involved can rely on the accuracy of the translated documents.
- Immigration Purposes. When applying for visas, residency, or citizenship in a country where the official language is different from your native language, you may need to provide proof of accuracy for any translated personal documents, such as birth certificates and marriage certificates.
- Academic Transcripts. If you are applying to educational institutions abroad or seeking recognition of your academic qualifications in another country, you may need certified translations of academic transcripts, diplomas, and other educational documents.
- Business Documents. Companies often require proof of accuracy of business contracts, financial statements, patents, and other corporate documents for international transactions, partnerships, or regulatory compliance.
- Medical Records. In situations where you are seeking medical treatment or insurance coverage in another country, medical records may be necessary.
- Official Government Forms. When filling out official government forms in a language other than your own, you may need proof that translated supporting documents are accurate such as identification cards, tax records, and employment letters may be required.
What does a certified translator do?
A certified translator has been authorized or recognized by a relevant institution or organization to provide translations that are certified. A certified translator translates written content from one language to another while maintaining the accuracy, clarity, and integrity of the original text. They accomplish this by adhering to translation and other industry standards. Another responsibility may be reviewing translated documents to certify them. The certified translator may be a specialist in a certain field, such as law, medicine, finance, or technology. They are responsible for engaging in continuing education to maintain relevant skills. Overall, certified translators play a crucial role in facilitating communication across language barriers.
What is the difference between a certified translation and an official translation?
Official translation usually means the translation needs to be completed by a registered professional translator or professional translation company. When an official translation is required, the translator will write their credentials on the translation and stamp it. A translation that is certified is a step up from official translation. It is also carried out by professional translators, but the translation is then certified. This means the translations are bound together in a pack and stamped just like an official translation but with the addition of a certification letter. This letter contains the details of the translator or translation company, their professional credentials, and a statement of certification.
What is the difference between a certified translation and a notarized translation?
Some end users of certified translations may request or require that “the translation be notarized.” This is actually a misnomer as the translation cannot be notarized. A notary public only legally acknowledges the identity of the individual signing the certification statement. While the terminology is inaccurate, it is helpful to know that this is commonly used by end users and clients.
How do I know if my translation service is certified?
To determine if a translation service is certified, you can consider the following steps.
- Check their credentials and accreditation;
- Read customer reviews and testimonials; and
- Evaluate industry experience by vetting their reputation and specialization.
By following these steps and conducting due diligence, you can determine whether a translation service is certified and capable of providing high-quality, accurate translations.
What are the rules for certified translation?
The rules can vary depending on the country, industry, and specific requirements of the document being translated. However, some general principles and guidelines apply to ensure that translations meet established standards of accuracy, authenticity, and reliability.
- Accuracy. Certified translators must ensure that the translated text accurately reflects the content of the original document. This includes conveying the meaning, tone, and intent of the original text while adhering to the grammatical rules and conventions of the target language.
- Completeness. Documents should include all the information contained in the original document without omitting or altering any content. Translators must translate all text, including headings, footnotes, signatures, and any other relevant information.
- Authentication. In some cases, the translation may require additional authentication to validate the certification statement. This can involve having the translator’s signature notarized by a licensed notary public.
- Quality Assurance. A translation service often has processes in place to review and verify the accuracy and quality of the translations before certification. This may include proofreading, editing, and review by a second translator to ensure consistency and accuracy.
What are the most important considerations when hiring a certified translation company?
Several important considerations can help you choose the right service provider for your needs. Some of the most critical factors to consider include certification and accreditation, expertise and specialization, best-in-class quality assurance processes, turnaround time and flexibility, customer reviews and testimonials, transparent pricing and fees, and customer support and communication skills.
What other attributes do certified translation companies possess?
Certified translation company requirements vary by country, industry, and certification body. Some of the considerations may involve:
- a specified number of years of experience
- an audit on financial stability
- quality management processes
- client references
- supplier references
- appropriate professional indemnity insurance
What are some of the risks of using a non-certified translation service?
Not all translations are created equal, and not every Language Service Provider is a certified translation company.
Using a non-certified service can pose several business risks. These include inaccuracy, legal validity implications, loss of credibility, confidentiality breaches, missed deadlines, lack of accountability or recourse, limited expertise, and poor communication or responsiveness.
If your goal is to receive high-quality translations, we recommend these steps:
- Understand the basics of choosing a translation company with ISO certificationsfor translation and quality management. A translation certification demonstrates the company has a reliable translation process. But the quality management certification ensures the company is aiming to continually improve and exceed your expectations every time.
- Know the difference between localization vs. translation. It makes a difference, and not every translation company is localizing your content for your specific audience’s needs.
- If you’re ready to start translating, schedule a complimentary localization consultation with our team. When it comes to translation services, each project is a little different. To create the best possible experience, Interpro provides certified translations for a range of services available in any modern language and customizes the translation process to be efficient for you.
Be confident in your translations and contact us with any additional questions about professional, accurate translation services.
Other blogs about translation and localization:
What is a Certified Translation? | Everything You Need to Know
Creating a Style Guide for Translation
Global eLearning Trends for Instructional Design
Language Access: What is Multilingual Language Inclusion?