Media type · A translation certified as accurate by an accepted translator
Certified translation
A translation prepared or certified by a translator acceptable to the receiving authority.
Key facts
| What it is | A translation certified as accurate by an accepted translator |
|---|---|
| Who sets the standard | The authority receiving the translated document |
| Check before paying | Accepted translator status, certification wording, stamp and whether the original must be attached |
Read the receiving office’s rule
“Certified translation” is not one standard. One office may accept a translator’s declaration; another may require registration with a court or a ministry; a third may require the consulate to certify the translator’s signature.
Ask for the exact wording and format before work starts. A translation that is accurate but in the wrong format can be rejected and paid for twice.
Frequently asked questions
Can we translate the document ourselves?
Rarely for official purposes. Even when the content is clear, the receiving office usually wants a third-party certification.
Does the translation expire?
Usually the underlying document’s validity governs. Some offices also apply their own time limit to translations.