How To Avoid Bureaucratic Headaches With Certified Translations

International bureaucracy is a headache at best, so why not avoid it? You might be a student studying abroad in Germany who needs their academic transcript translated to ensure credit transfer. Or maybe you are returning from your destination wedding on the shores of Portugal with a marriage certificate your local court cannot process.

How to know if you need a Certified Translation

Chances are if you need to translate a birth, death or marriage certificate you will need to have your translation certified. Other translated documents that are commonly certified include:

* Divorce Decrees
* Wills and Estate Papers
* Academic Transcripts
* Academic Diplomas
* Driver's Licenses
* Immigration Papers
* Adoption Papers

These are only a few examples of documents that might require certification. Nevertheless, requirements for certified translations vary widely, so it is recommended that you ask the appropriate authority about the specific certified translation requirements.

What is a certified translation?

The terms "certified translation" and "certified translator" are confusing. Many people assume that it means the translator has undergone a standardized certification process, therefore officially qualifying their credentials. However, in the United States, there is no nationally recognized certification for translators (with the exception of specific court translators and interpreters).

The closest there is to a translator certification in the USA is issued by the American Translators Association, but it carries no official recognition. Without common ground upon which to qualify translators, people looking for professional translators must look carefully at each translator's experience and specialization.

In the USA, a certified translation refers to a translation with an attached "certificate of translation". This certificate vouches for the competency of the translator and states they have provided an accurate and complete translation of the original document. This certificate is signed by either the translator or a representative from the company who employs the translator's services, and the signature is notarized to attest the identity of the signer.

It is often the case that people submitting paperwork to the government realize that they have a tight deadline. Find the right translator or translation service that will meet not only the legal translation requirements for your paperwork, but who can also provide you with the certified translation in a timely way.

This is an easy process that anyone can follow in the USA. In other countries, things can get a lot more complicated because red-tape can be endless and the paperwork requirements can be much more stringent.