What Is a Certified Translation?

A certified translation refers to an official translation of any foreign language document accompanied by a signed statement from the translator or translation service. The statement attests to the completeness, accuracy, and the translator's competence to translate from the foreign language to English. 

Why Should You Choose Idiomatic USA? 

Expertise: Our team comprises highly skilled translators, editors, and proofreaders who specialize in various industries and languages. We guarantee precise translations that capture the nuances and subtleties of your original content.

Quality Assurance: We follow a rigorous, multi-step quality assurance process, including multiple rounds of proofreading and editing, to ensure that your translations are accurate, clear, and culturally appropriate.

Fast Turnaround: We understand the importance of meeting deadlines and are committed to delivering your translations on time without compromising quality. We offer flexible turnaround times to accommodate your project needs and can handle urgent requests.

Confidentiality: We prioritize data privacy and security. All our team members are bound by strict non-disclosure agreements, and we implement the latest encryption technologies to safeguard your files and information.

Personalized Service: We value our clients and provide personalized attention to each project. Our responsive customer support team is available 24/7 to address your concerns and answer any questions you may have.

Frequently Asked Questions About Certified Translation Services

• What is a Certified Translation? 

• In the United States, there is no such thing as a government approved or "sworn translation", where a translator stamps a translation with a government-provided seal. Instead, a certified translation refers to an official translation of any foreign language document accompanied by a signed statement from the translator or translation service. The statement attests to the completeness, accuracy, and the translator's competence to translate from the foreign language to English. 

• What Makes a "Certified Translation" Certified? 

• To certify a translation for any US official organization, such as USCIS or Social Security, the translator must provide a signed statement declaring their competence to translate from the foreign language into English and affirming the completeness and accuracy of the translation. The statement can be in the following format:

"I, [name of the translator], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in English and [source language] and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached in [source language]."

The translator then signs and dates the statement.

• Who can Translate Certified Legal Documents? 

While there is no specific federal or state licensing or certification for translators in the United States, government institutions in the United States (such as USCIS) accept translations provided by individuals who certify their competence to translate from the foreign language into English and possess adequate experience in the relevant legal field. 

This means that any person sufficiently proficient in both languages can translate and certify a document. However, it is advisable to use a professional translator or translation service to ensure accuracy and avoid potential issues.

• How Much Does a Certified Translation Cost? 

The cost of a certified translation can vary significantly depending on factors such as document length, complexity, language pair, and required turnaround time. Idiomatic USA, for example, offers clear pricing based either on the page count of the documents for standarized documents, and a per-word price for longer, more complex documents.

• Do Certified Translations Need to be Notarized? 

Usually, certified translations do not require notarization. They only need a certification from the translator or translation service affirming the accuracy and completeness of the translation. However, Idiomatic USA does offer notarization services, if you would like the peace of mind of doing so.

• Can You Translate Your Own Certified Translations? 

No, you cannot translate your own documents for any type of certified translation use. Idiomatic USA strongly advises using a competent translator to avoid potential issues of bias or inaccuracies.

• Do I Need Hard Copies or Digital Copies for Certified Translations? 

All US government institutions, such a USCIS, accept both hard copies and digital copies of translated documents. However, it is crucial to stay updated with the government's current submission guidelines as they may change over time.

Languages Offered for Certified Translations