Certified Translations09 October 2018 - by Helene Walters-SteinbergIn this post, I will present the different types of official translations, such as certified, sworn and notarised translations, and provide some tips on where to find the right translator for your documents. A certified translation is a
translation accompanied by a signed statement attesting that the translation is
accurate and complete to the best of the translator's knowledge and ability. What is a sworn translation? Strictly speaking, it is the
translator who is ‘sworn’, not the translation. In some countries, such as
France and Spain, translators take an oath before a court in order to become
sworn translators. However, this system does not exist in countries such as the
UK or the US. Who can perform certified translations? In the UK, members of the two
professional translator associations, the Institute of Translation and
Interpreting and the Chartered Institute of Linguists, may produce certified
translations that are stamped and signed by the translator and accompanied by a
signed statement presenting the translator’s credentials. These translations
are accepted as official documents by the British and American authorities. If your certified translation is
intended for your local French embassy or consulate (e.g. for naturalisation
procedures), you will need to use a translator that has been vetted by that
embassy or consulate and that is registered on their list. Where can I find an accredited translator for
my certified translation? If your certified translation is for
the British authorities, you can find a list of accredited translators
registered with the Institute of Translation and Interpreting here (make sure the translator is ITI-Assessed) and
with the Chartered Institute of Linguists here (I would recommend choosing a Chartered
Linguist). If your certified translation is for
the French Consulate in London, you can find a list of registered translators here. If you need a sworn translator
(required by certain French courts), you can find a list
through the Société française des
traducteurs by using the Advanced Search function and selecting “Sworn Translator (in France)” in
the Type of service category. What is a notarised translation? For a notarised translation, the
translator signs an affidavit in the presence of a notary public swearing that
the translation is accurate. The notary then signs and stamps their sworn
statement as well as the translation. Notarised translations are more commonly
used for education-based documents such as diplomas and degree certificates.
They can, however, significantly increase the cost of the translation process,
so it is always a good idea to check with the recipient organisation if this
step is needed beforehand.
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