1st Choice Translations

The information on this website concerning certification of translations is based on data available to me at the time of writing (July 2007) and is for general information only. Certification requirements depend on the agencies involved in each individual case. It is up to individuals to check the certification requirements of the agencies, employers, government departments or other parties that have stipulated certified documents.

Certified Translations

FAQ

What is certification?

Certification is the legal formality by which a person (mostly, but not necessarily, a professional translator), a company who facilitated a translation, or an (embassy) official declares the accuracy of a translation.

What is certification not?

Having a translated document certified does not prove authenticity of the original document. It is merely proof that the document was translated by a suitably qualified translator (for information on certification by non-professional translators please read Certificate of Accuracy by a Non-professional Translator). It does not guarantee the quality of the translation other than by the assumption that a person holding relevant qualifications and being member of the relevant professional bodies will provide a good translation.

Who can certify a translation?

In England, authorities tend to accept certification from professional translators who are members of professional bodies like the Institute of Translation and Interpreting or the Chartered Institute of Linguists and who are qualified in the two languages concerned. There is no system of sworn translators as there is in Germany, for example.

It is advisable to check with the institution stipulating a certified translation what their particular requirements are. Some educational institutions may only require the translated text to be certified by a person knowledgeable of both languages while others may require a notarized translation. In some cases an interpretative translation may be acceptable, other agencies stipulate literal "word-for-word" translation of the original document.

Do you provide certified translations?

Yes, I provide certified translations from English into German and German into English certified translations. I am a qualified professional translator, a member of two professional bodies and my certified translations have never been challenged by any authority.

How do I obtain a certified translation from you?

Contact me by phone or mail to find out my availability. Once we have agreed that I can undertake your translation within your required time scale, please check whether the agency stipulating a certified translation requires you to send originals or copies of the relevant documents. You should then send me whichever they require. I will then undertake the translation, attach the documents you sent me and my certification, and send it all back to you (by recorded delivery if the documents are originals), so that you receive the documents ready to be sent on to whoever requires them.

Do I have to send you original documents?

If the agency stipulating a certified translation also stipulates the receipt of original documents or certified copies thereof, then I'll also need the original documents or a certified copy. I will attach that original to my certification and the translation, and I will send it back to you after completing the translation, so it's all ready to be sent off to the agency involved. Originals to be sent by recorded delivery.

If you are told that a photocopy of the original document suffices for the purpose you need the certified translation for, then you only need send me a legible photocopy - which I will return with the translation and the certificate.

Which language pairs do you work in?

I undertake certified translations from English into German and German into English.

What does a certified translation cost?

My prices start at GBP35 for a one-page document. This is made up of GBP25 for the translation and GBP10 for certification. It also includes first class postage for photocopied originals. There is an additional charge of GBP5 for arranging and paying for recorded delivery postage for original or certified copies (where the authenticity of the photocopy is certified rather than that of the translation). There are no hidden charges.

Why are the costs for a certified translation relatively high?

The process of providing a certified translation is much more time consuming than other translation work and requires proof of qualification.

Documents cannot be overtyped as they are not in a machine-readable format. Copying the lay-out takes some time and care. Furthermore, the process of printing out and labelling, possibly visiting the post office to arrange recorded delivery and posting hard copies takes up considerably more time than sending documents off by email which is how the vast majority of translations are delivered to clients at present.

To be able to certify translations, a translator has to prove his professional status. This is achieved by being member of one or more professional bodies (I am a member of two such professional bodies). Membership fees are considerable.

How much time should I allow to have a certified translation done?

Speaking for myself, at best, it will take three days: One day to send me the documents, one day for the translation, one day for the documents to be returned to you. I would, however, allow a minimum of a week. In any case, the time needed depends on the volume of documents requiring translation and my current work load. Please check my availability before sending any documents.

I was divorced in Germany/Austria/Switzerland, how do I prove this to the British authorities?

You need to have the equivalent of the British "decree absolute". In Germany that is the divorce decree (Scheidungsurteil) document which is clearly marked with the date from which the decree becomes final. This tends to take the form of a rubber stamp stating "rechtskräftig ab dem..."

Can a certified translation be sent out by email or fax?

Unless the translator has the means for electronic verification, documents are usually certified on paper which will then be sent to the recipient per post. It is not possible to fax these documents to you as the original certificate together with the corresponding original source language document (in some cases photocopies may be accepted) plus its translation have to be submitted to the agency requiring the certified translation. Please allow sufficient time for this process.

Under which circumstances is certification required?

There are many circumstances when the accuracy of a translation may have to be certified. Certification may be required for:

Please check with the agencies involved whether or not they require translated documents; if yes, whether or not they need to be certified and what form of certification they require before instructing a translator with the work.

Which types of documents may need to be certified?

Documents often requiring certification include:

What is the difference between the various forms of certification in the UK?

Verification of a translation's accuracy can be obtained in different ways, depending on the requirements by the individual agencies involved. Please click on one of the links below to obtain information on that particular type of certification:

In which country should certification be sought?

As a rule, documents should be translated and the translation certified in the country of application. Some agencies will accept translations from the country of the document's origin. Check with them!

How do I find a UK-based translator who can certify his translation?

Either find a translator on the Internet or via Yellow Pages and ask him if he is qualified to certify translations. Alternatively, contact the Chartered Institute of Linguists or the Institute of Translating and Interpreting or visit their websites to find a qualified translator.

Is there such a thing as a "certified translator"?

There is no official title of "certified translator" in the UK. It is the institution requiring the translation which defines who they regard as "authorized" to certify a translation. As a rule, this is a professional translator, qualified in the languages concerned and member of at least one professional body.

How is certification obtained in non-UK countries?

Different rules apply in different countries. For suggestions on finding a translator to provide a certified translation in non-UK countries please read "Certification of Translations in Countries other than the UK". As a general rule, try to find out which professional body represents translators in the country concerned. They will know how to obtain a certified translation. Alternatively, ask the agency requiring the translation how to find a certified translator.

What is a Sworn Translator?

In the Federal Republic of Germany, a translation must be certified by a sworn translator for that specific language. A translator is sworn-in at the local court in the Federal Country where he is permanently resident. Most courts require the translator to prove that he has relevant qualifications before he is sworn in.

In Germany, a translation should be undertaken and certified by a translator who is sworn-in at the court requiring the translated document. The certification document must bear the translator's seal containing the words "Öffentlich bestellter und vereidigter Übersetzer" ("Publicly appointed and sworn translator"), also indicating the language for which the translator is officially sworn. Furthermore, the translation must display the translator's address. For more detailed information on the system of sworn translators in Germany read "Certification of Translations in Countries other than the UK".

Can I obtain a Sworn Translation in the UK?

If you have been asked to provide a German court with a sworn translation, you need to find an English-German translator who is sworn-in at the court requesting the translation. Ask the court for a list of "vereidigte Übersetzer". To become a sworn translator at a court in Germany, the translator has to have his main residence in the relevant Federal Country. It is therefore currently not possible for a translator who has his permanent residence in the UK to become a sworn translator to a German court.

The system of sworn translators is not used in the UK. A translator can "certify" his translation or - to make it "more official" - he can swear an oath in front of a notary and thus have his translation "notarized". This is a very expensive option, though, (the notary charges a fee of £40 or so) and time-consuming for the translator.

Notarized Certification

Some government agencies require notarization: A notary confirms the identity of the person signing the certification document. The translator has to visit a notary, prove his identity to him and sign the certificate in the notary's presence. This process is significantly more costly, and it adds to the required time for obtaining the translation. Notarization does not guarantee the quality of the translation. For related information, read "UK Translation Certification Options".

©2005 Ms Mechtild Testroet MCIL Dip Trans IoL BDÜ
 
English-German translator of most commercial texts; certification of birth, marriage and school leaver's certificates, divorce papers etc.
 
Tel +44 (0)1769 581823
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