Certified translation

001 Translation Inc offers certified translation services in 70 languages in the USA and abroad.

Summary:

What is a certified translation?

A certified translation is a translation made by a translator who is recognized by the authorities as trustworthy.

This is a fundamental distinction because it is mandatory that any official translation intended for the use of the government (national identity card, residence permit, etc.) be made by a certified translator. 001 Translation Inc is a member of the American Translators Association.

What is a certified translator?

A certified translator or is a translator whose trustworthiness is recognized by the authorities.

A certified translator may also act as an interpreter in a courtroom or before an examining magistrate. In this case, the translator must be physically present during examination of any individual or witness who does not speak English or whose understanding of English is poor. A certified translator may also be summoned to a police station after an arrest or accident, and, of course, is present during courtroom proceedings. The presence of an interpreter during sentencing is mandatory. If not, any judicial decision will be deemed nul and void.

What does a certified translator do?

A certified translator renders expertise.

The role of a certified translator is to make faithful translations of documents likely to be produced before government agencies or other institutions. In other words, the translation must be faithful to the original entrusted to the translator. This is called an official translation. A certified translator must sign all his or her translations as well as any copies thereof and apply a seal.

What items or official documents must be translated by a certified translator?

A certified translator can make certified translations of a range of documents: civil or criminal legal proceedings, items to be presented in court, government documents and vital records, instruments prepared by a solicitor, notarial acts, contracts, diplomas and transcripts.

Generally speaking, a certified translator is certified to officially translate any document prepared in a foreign language that is to be presented in a courtroom or to a government agency. This is also the case with regard to documents needed by the authorities to prepare vital records (marriage licenses, residence permits, divorce orders, notarial acts, enrollment in the Social Security system, adoptions, birth certificates, etc.). Official translations are also required for documents presented at a foreign consulate.

Do certified translators have specialties?

Beyond their official capacity as providers of expertise, certified translators are permitted to make translations for private individuals, attorneys, businesses, the government, etc. in fields other than law. A certified translator may even have several fields of expertise (Technology, Medicine, Science, Literature or Economics).

What is the difference between a certified and an unsworn translator?

The only difference between the two is that a certified translator is recognized by government agencies and legal authorities. No training or prior experience is considered. However, 001 Translation makes sure that its certified translators have at least a university diploma in a foreign language and solid translation experience.

Is it better to directly contact a certified translator rather than a translation agency?

Not necessarily. certified translators in a specific language are often few and may not be available when you need to get an urgent document translated.

In addition, certified translators demand fees and may ask you to pay rates that are higher than those of a translation agency, whose rates are often negotiable.

Translations agencies that are reliable and managed by translation professionals -such as 001 Translation- have developed expertise in making certified translations of official documents.

Furthermore, because of their role as intermediaries, translation agencies maintain contacts with many certified translators in the U.S.A, in England and in other countries.

This can be quite important if the translation is a rush and must be delivered within 24 to 48 hours.

How should I decide whether to use a certified translator or a translation agency?

Make the decision based on the different elements of your need, such as:

How urgent is the translation?
Can the certified translator meet the deadline for delivery of the certified translation?
Are there substantial rate differences between the independent translator and translation agency that I contacted?

Hint: A higher rate does not mean that the translation will be higher in quality. However, the price differential can be justified by the resources deployed to guarantee that the translated document is delivered before the deadline (e.g. delivered as certified mail, DHL, Fedex or Chronopost).

Generally speaking, as is the case for all official documents, more time must be alloted for having official documents translated by a certified translator.

How do I choose between one translation agency and another?

Pick up the phone and call to make sure that the translation agency carries a professional liability insurance policy.

Translation agencies are required to provide proof of professional liability insurance upon request. In the case of a certified translation, such a precaution is essential because you are going to entrust official documents to the agency's representative. If they are careless, your documents could be lost. Your agency representative or manager is required to send you a fax detailing the agency's liability coverage so that you can have peace of mind.

As a general rule, the higher the liability coverage, the more certainty you can have that the agency will meet its obligations.

No insurer provides liability coverage to a translator or translation agency without being assured of their professional abilities.

001 Translation carries insurance with a liability limit of 1,000,000 USD per translation contract per year, which is the maximum coverage extended to translation services.