A death certificate is more useful than you think. You’ll not realize this until you need it, and then you’ll wonder how to get a death certificate translated. Translating a mortality certificate requires caution because it’s a vital document with administrative uses.
But faced with the grief of loss, is this translation a task you can accomplish yourself? If so, you’ll need to learn the procedures for translating official documents. However, if not, what services can you use to convert a death certificate from one language to another?
Keep reading to find answers to all this and more!
Table of Contents
What Is a Death Certificate?
A death certificate is a document that records an individual’s demise. It contains the date, time, and place of death, as well as the cause of death. This document also contains information by which one can identify the deceased.
People often ask, “What is a death certificate?” without understanding the processes behind its preparation. Once a person passes on, a medical practitioner ascertains the cause of death. The medical official then transfers information to the vital record office or appropriate government agency for processing.
After processing the certificate, the vital record office can officially issue it to the deceased’s family. This document is important as the deceased’s family uses it as legal proof in various scenarios.
For example, banks request to see an individual’s death certificate before their family closes their accounts. Insurance companies also request proof of death before releasing funds. Situations that warrant submission of family records, like immigration, also necessitate death certificates.
Part of the immigration procedures calls for translating mortality certificates issued into a foreign language. However, other instances besides immigration also warrant death certificate translation. Thus, the original death certificate document and its translation play useful roles after a person’s demise.
How To Translate a Death Certificate
You can never tell when you’ll need a death certificate translation, so having a copy is important. But then you might wonder which language to translate it into. If you’re from a non-English-speaking country, get an English translation. It’ll be useful even if you don’t visit an English-speaking country.
Translators use English as a bridge between culturally diverse language pairs. Hence, English is a safe choice of target language. You can translate documents without a degree with the right skills and training.
The easiest way to translate a certificate of demise into English is to download an editable template. Thus, you can fill in the necessary details in the blank spaces.
However, you might omit details or make mistakes. Additionally, the translation of your medical and legal terms may be inaccurate, voiding the translation.
You should also consider the mental strain you’ll face while rendering the mortality record of your loved one. This act could reawaken your grief and dampen your spirit. Moreover, a government agency won’t accept translations made by family or friends.
Furthermore, most institutions and agencies require certified translations of vital records and legal documents. Sadly, certification is impossible without a professional, so there’s no guarantee of acceptance wherever you present the translation.
Thus, learning how to translate a death certificate yourself isn’t worth it. It’s best to follow due process and contact a trained professional to handle such tasks. But if you want to give it a try, go ahead.
Death Certificate Translation Services
Translating a mortality document yourself isn’t the best idea, but you don’t have to worry, as multiple services are available. However, you can’t decide rightly without information on the death certificate translation services.
That’s why we’ll explain the pros and cons of each translation service below.
1. Using Machine Translation
Machine translation is the easiest and fastest way to translate a death certificate or any written text. It gives instant output, costs little or no money, and is easy to use. However, there are different forms of machine translation, all of which function through neural machine technology (NMT).
You can use a translation website, keyboard, or application. Most of these function online, requiring an internet connection, but some services have offline features. You’ll see the translated text as you type. However, these tools can’t format documents.
Hence, it’s impossible to submit a machine-translated mortality certificate. Instead, you must treat it as a first draft and make proper adjustments before submission or use.
2. Hire a Freelance Translator
Human abilities always outperform machines, which is why a freelance translator is a good choice. Freelancers work independently and set their rates, which are sometimes negotiable, depending on their skills.
It’s risky to hire a freelancer whose proof of work you haven’t seen. You should request samples to be sure that they’re capable. However, seeing samples might not help if you don’t understand the language pairs.
Your best bet is connecting with a freelancer via a marketplace where you can check their profile and portfolio. Thus, you can see their ratings and gauge customer satisfaction before ordering a translation.
It also helps to choose a freelancer who offers reviews and refunds. This way, you can return for edits and request a refund if the authorities reject the translation. But before contracting any freelancer, ensure that their schedule matches your expected delivery timeframe.
3. Work With a Translation Company
Two heads are better than one, so having a team of language experts on your side is great. Translation companies provide project teams of translators in the required niches, interpreters, editors, and other professionals.
Unless you use an unaccredited translation agency, you’re not at risk of getting a poorly done job. That’s because associations in the translation industry vet these agencies for quality control. The agencies, in turn, perform rigorous checks before hiring professionals to work for them.
These agencies also occasionally arrange training sessions to elevate the skills of their staff. With the system of checks in place, translation errors are unlikely. However, their services are sometimes pricey as they charge per page. But since a death certificate for a deceased person is a one-page document, your bill won’t be high.
Moreover, translation companies like Rapid Translate have certified translators who can guarantee the accuracy and correctness of the rendition. Agencies are one-stop solutions to all your foreign document needs.
FAQ
Do I need to translate a death certificate?
If you plan to use the death certificate within the country of issuance, a translation won’t be necessary. But if you’re using it for international applications in a foreign language, you must translate it. Getting a rendition will eliminate language barriers so officials can understand the document.
How do I translate a foreign death certificate?
You can translate a foreign death certificate using a template as a guide, but institutions may reject this. Hence, the better option is to hire a professional to do the job in line with foreign standards and requirements.
Do I need to certify a death certificate translation?
Certifying a translated death certificate isn’t always compulsory. Moreover, you’re not the one to decide. The agency or organization to which you’ll submit the translation will specify if they need a certified copy. Hence, you have to provide the requirements.
How To Get a Death Certificate Translated by a Professional
If you don’t want to go through the turmoil of rejection and reapplication, your best option is a translation company. A legitimate company provides access to all sorts of translation professionals. But then, you might wonder how this will work.
Since there are several translation companies, it starts with you making a choice. To avoid making a wrong choice, you can ask for recommendations.
Make a few selections, research, and compare their ratings to pick the best. Some things to note include delivery speed and options, range of services, language combinations, and experience and expertise.
You should confirm compliance with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Ensuring the agency complies with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards is also important. After choosing an agency, you can visit its physical office or website.
Most websites are straightforward, making it easy to schedule a consultation session. Video conference platforms facilitate such appointments. After reaching an agreement, you can mail or email the physical or digital copy of the death certificate.
If you patronize a reliable agency like Rapid Translate, you’ll receive the translation in a day or two. But if you need a same-day translation, you can pay a little extra token for a rushed service. Though rushed, the quality remains superb, so you have nothing to worry about.
Now that you know how to get a death certificate translated, you can put it into practice. Rapid Translate has repeatedly proven to be one of the best translation companies. You can make it your top choice and easily translate death certificates and all other documents. Don’t let language limit you from claiming insurance, getting your inheritance, or migrating. Place an order for a perfect translation today!
