Certified, Sworn, Notarised or Apostille: Which Translation Type Do You Need?
You’ve been asked to obtain professional certified translation services from an authorised provider, but you’re unsure what the term actually means?
In the UK, a certified translation is a translation of documents produced for official use and application, that has been completed by an accredited provider – either a registered translator (with CIOL or ITI) or an ATC registered translation agency (such as TS24).
The meaning behind Certified Translation can be somewhat confusing for many people, especially if you have not previously worked with professional translators. In this article, we’ll talk about everything there is to know about certified translations – from the different types of certified translations, explaining when you may need to obtain one, how much it can cost and how long it usually takes, and showcasing some real examples of translated and certified documents. By the end of this article, you’ll have a full understanding of what a certified translation is.
What is a Certified Translation?
A certified translation is the translation of documents that meets the official requirements of your application. In the UK, these requirements are typically defined by the Government, legal institutions or the Home Office. If your documents, such as a passport, certificate or government documentation, were issued in a language other than English, you may be required to translate these documents by a certified translator.
Generally, an officially certified translation fulfils the language requirements in the country of your application. To certify a translation, the translator or a translation agency must attest that the translation is a true, complete and accurate translation of the original document – this usually comes in the form of a dated, signed and stamped statement of truth.
Certified Translation – Real-Life Example
With a deeply globalised corporate world and the general ease of travel, business translation services in the United Kingdom have been an important aspect of our everyday lives, both professional and personal, and a mainstream service for at least a few decades.
Do you need a certified & realised translation? Get a free quote now!
Generally speaking, an ‘official’ or ‘certified’ translation is defined as a translation which has been formally stamped and signed by a registered authority. Unfortunately, the term ‘official’ isn’t particularly unified, and so it can vary from country to country and depend on the specific country’s legal system. As a result, understandably so, in many cases people can be a little confused as to what constitutes as a ‘certified translation’.
We can recognise formal translation authorities in the United Kingdom, such as the Institute of Translation & Interpreting (ITI) or the Association of Translation Companies (ATC). Members of such organisations can rightfully issue ‘certified’ translations, which will then be legally accepted.
Different types of document translations:
- Certified translation
- Sworn Translation
- Notarised translation
- Apostilled translation
Certified Translation
In order for the translation to be officially certified, the linguist or translation agency must attest that the translation is a true and accurate reflection of the original document. The certified translation services should be stamped and/or signed by a registered linguist or a translation company representative, ensuring that any document misuse is avoided.
To learn more about what a certified translation is, visit our Certified Translations page.
Sworn Translation
A sworn translation is produced by a translator who has been formally sworn in before a court or government body and entered on an official register in that country. They sign and seal the translation under their own registration number, and it is that seal – rather than a separate certificate of accuracy – that gives the document its legal standing.
The UK has no sworn translator system, so a sworn translation cannot be produced here. If an authority abroad asks for one, it has to come from a translator registered in that country – a ‘traductor jurado’ in Spain, a ‘traducteur assermenté’ in France, a ‘vereidigter Übersetzer’ in Germany or a ‘tłumacz przysięgły’ in Poland. We arrange these through our network of registered sworn translators in the relevant country, so you deal with us rather than trying to locate a registered linguist abroad.
If you are not certain which the receiving authority wants, ask them before ordering. The two are not interchangeable, and a UK certified translation will not be accepted where a sworn translation has been specified.
Notarised translation
Typically, a notarised translation is used abroad, as it proves accountability in terms of the linguist’s details. Generally, a notarised translation means, that a Notary has either signed the translated documents or that it carries a statement by the Notary Public concerning the original document and the translation. It’s important to bear in mind however, that the Notary’s signature does not endorse the quality of a translation.
Apostilled translation
A Legalised document issued with the apostille certificate may also need translating. According to the Institute of Translation and Interpreting, “The competent authority for issuing Apostilles in the UK is the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). An Apostille verifies the authenticity of the signature and ensures that the document is recognised in all States that signed the Hague Convention of 1961; it does not endorse the content of the document.”
Find Out Which Certification Your Document Needs
Still not sure which type of certified translation you need? Use our free tool to get clear guidance on the certification your translation needs, based on your document type, destination country, and intended use.
About TS24
Translation Services 24 (TS24) is a professional translation agency offering expert services in over 200 languages. We work with clients in all corporate and public industries and specialise in sector-specific linguistic solutions. With over a decade of experience in the industry, 15+ million words converted every year and 100,000+ projects completed, TS24 is a leading provider of expert translations and interpretation services and an officially certified member of the ATC. Contact TS24 here. You can also read all of our recent articles here.
Follow Translation Services 24 on Social Media
