Do you ask your translator for a certified or notarized translation without really knowing what it means? Or are you a translator who gets asked for a notarized or certified translation but don’t really have any idea why? There is an important difference between the two, and we’re here to help you learn all about it.
Only a professional certified translator such as what we have available for hire at Inlingua Utah, can provide certified translations of documents. The process for completing these services involves a lot of time and effort in getting the document officially certified, but is well worth it. A certified translation comes with a guarantee of quality, because the skills and experience of the translator have been certified by an official governing body.
A notarized translation, on the other hand, can be provided by any translator. These kinds of documents don’t have any kind of guarantee that the quality is as expected, because these translators don’t have to be certified. What the translator could do, at best, is sign an oath that the translation is a true representation of the original document, but it does not represent the quality of the work in any way. In other words, the document could still be poorly translated, even if the translator thinks he did a good job (for example, if the translator doesn’t speak the language well).
Certified translations are needed for legal, contractual, or immigration purposes. This includes things like marriage certificates, birth certificates, court transcripts, etc. Notarized translations can be for administrative purposes like college and university admissions. Notarized translations hold no real value to professional institutions like governments, courthouses, etc.
Certified translations can sometimes be more costly than the services required for notarized translations. This is because the translator has to go through the official process of getting it certified, and this of course does cost money. They need to prepare an officially signed translator’s declaration, and then rubber stamp each page of the document with their professional seal. Although it may cost more, getting your translation certified through Inlingua Utah can sometimes solidify a deal with some clients. They want to be reassured that they get the best quality for their money, so they don’t mind paying a little extra for the certainty.
It is possible that there could be some cultural differences when it comes to getting the document signed, such as the specifics as to how, when, and where. Although the process and price might be different in each country, the concept of certified translations are the same. Certified translations ensure you of the best quality for your money.
There are also tons of translators out there who deliver trustworthy translations without the certified or notarized part. However, if your translation is for official purposes, you need to make sure to communicate loud and clear that the document does need to be certified. Using the translation services available at Inlingua Utah can help you make sure that this process is completed with high quality.