When getting document translations, you must consider the requirements that typically make them valid. For some, you may need certifications indicating their authenticity and accuracy. However, notarization is often necessary. But what is a notarized translation?
Essentially, a notarized translation carries a notary’s signature or stamp verifying the translator’s identity. This type of translation is necessary when dealing with an official document.
Read on to get a better understanding of what it’s all about!
Table of Contents
What Is a Notarized Translation, and What Does It Help With?
A notarized translation is a translation that comes with a signature from a notary public, verifying the translator’s identity. Besides signatures, notarizations can also be in the form of stamped verifications or an official seal.
In any case, the notary seals or signs the document while recording the date. This stamp or signature verifies the identity of the professional who has certified the translation.
Fundamentally, notarization is an extra authentication for certified translations. Therefore, it does not attest to the document’s quality, and you should not consider it an indicator of accuracy or completeness.
4 Reasons Why Notarized Translations Are Important
Many organizations have stopped requesting notarized translations because they lack quality assurance. Instead, they mostly require certified translations. Still, some request this extra authentication.
So, if you’re wondering why notarized translations are important, here is why:
- Notarized translations are crucial to the legal validity of some translated documents. For instance, official translations of legal documents, immigration documents, and academic transcripts often require notarization.
- Notarized translations typically enjoy higher recognition from courts, governmental agencies, and other non-governmental organizations.
- Notarization helps to maintain professionalism in your translation. Since a notary verifies the translator’s identity, you can be certain you’re working with a qualified professional.
- Notarized translations also help with security, especially when translating highly personal or sensitive documents. For instance, notarization is helpful when translating personal identification documents or records.
Notarized translations help prevent document fraud and protect personal rights and property. Most legal and official processes require this translation and for good reasons.
Notarizing a translation is one useful way to confirm that it comes from a qualified professional. Still, it increases the credibility and integrity of your documents.
When Do You Need a Notarized Translation?
You’ll need a notarized translation for your official documents. However, the specific translation requirements depend on the organization or government institution to which you submit them. Here are six situations where you’ll need this type of translation.
1. During Legal Proceedings
You’ll need a notarized translation to present translated documents during legal proceedings. This is because most legal documents for use in courts require this translation.
Courts only consider notarized translations of documents like marriage certificates, employment contracts, birth certificates, and divorce decrees valid. Translations of legal documents for use outside the court also require notarizations.
2. For Your Immigration Documents
If you’re submitting any immigration document translations to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you’ll need notarization. For example, you must notarize translations of your Visa applications, passports, and identification documents.
Notarization is usually compulsory even when submitting these documents to a consulate or government agency.
3. For Educational Applications
Some documents often require translations when applying to study at a university or college in another country. For example, your academic transcripts, diplomas, or high school certificates may require translation.
Even here, getting a notarized translation is most often a requirement. Therefore, to increase your chances of acceptance, you must choose this option instead of sticking to the regular certified translation.
4. For Scientific and Technical Documents
After translating scientific and technical documents, you’ll need to notarize them. In this case, the notarization is handy, especially if you’re using them for an official purpose. For instance, it is necessary if you’re applying for patents with the documents.
Also, notarization is usually necessary when you send translated research papers to people from other parts of the world. Typically, technical document translations that cover manuals and engineering specifications require notarization.
5. For Business Documents
Business documents are quite sensitive and require the highest care and accuracy. So, when translating such documents, it is often necessary to get a notarization. This is especially crucial for international business operations.
For example, translations of contracts, financial statements, business correspondence, product descriptions, and memos fall within this category. Notarization helps in the case of discrepancies and maintains your integrity during business operations.
6. For Submission to Government and Non-Government Agencies
If you’re submitting translations of your documents to any government agency, it is sometimes important to notarize them. While some agencies insist on this, others do not mind, given you’re presenting a certified translation.
Many governmental institutions, such as medical facilities, also require notarized translations. If you present translations of your medical history or health records, choose notarized options. It is usually better to ask about their requirements beforehand.
Can You Notarize Your Own Translated Documents?
No, you cannot notarize your translated documents. Notarizing your signature would be unacceptable, even as a notary public.
This stipulation is crucial because notaries must be unbiased and impartial. Notarizing documents they have translated may create a conflict of interest.
For this reason, a notary who is also a professional translator can certify their translations. However, they must get a notarization from another notary.
How To Notarize a Translated Document
Notarizing translated documents is a pretty straightforward process. It involves the translator signing the document in the presence of a notary public, who then stamps and signs the document.
The notary requests for identity verification from the translator before notarizing the document. So, here are the quick steps for notarizing your translation:
- After translating the original document, a certified individual translator or one from a translation company signs the certification statements. This certification authenticates and validates the translation.
- The notary will then authenticate the signer of the professional who certified the translation. Notaries do this by verifying their identity and witnessing the process.
Overall, the notarization is mostly about finding a notary. Fortunately, many translators and translation services offer a useful option, allowing people to order translations and certifications together.
FAQ
What is the difference between a sworn and certified translation?
A sworn translation is legally valid and enjoys recognition from official organizations and institutions. On the other hand, certified translations are those with attestations of accuracy from the translator.
What is a certified notarized translation for the USCIS?
For the USCIS, a certified notarized translation has a certificate of accuracy and a notary’s signature. This agency mostly requires notarized translations for documents from abroad.
What is a notarized English translation?
A notarized English translation has a notary’s stamp or signature. This stamp or signature authenticates the English translator’s identity.
What is a notarized affidavit translation?
Notarized affidavit translations are certified translations of affidavits with signatures or stamps from notaries. Affidavits, which are legal documents, usually require notarizations to be valid.
Get Notarized Translations From Rapid Translate
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The agency’s translations cover legal, medical, and other documents. It charges $27.99 per page for regular certified translations. Notarization is available for an extra $19.99 per order.
Rapid Translate helps you upgrade your global communication capabilities. It offers useful services on the question of “What is a notarized translation?”
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