Certified Legal Translation is the production of a legal document and often needs to be an exact translation of the source text. It must be certified with the translator's signature and notarized, in order to be accepted by the courts and the authorities. A certified translation is the most common. However some organisations and, in particular courts, require Sworn translations. You should always check what level or wording is required when requesting a translation.
Different governmental organizations and agencies - and even non-governmental organizations such as private universities - have special requirements when it comes to certified translations.
Documents that may require certified translations include
Birth certificates, Diplomas, Marriage certificates, Medical records, Passports, Financial records...
In every country there are different requirements for certified translation and for the translation of documents. Please contact us at office(at)the-business-translator.com
and we will provide you with the necessary information.
A few examples:
Argentina
In compliance with Law #20,305, all public documents (including personal papers and some commercial contracts) have to be translated and signed by a "certified public translator", whose seal and signature have to be legalized on each document by the translators' professional body of jurisdiction.
Indonesia
In Indonesia sworn translators, often called certified or authorized translators, are people who have attended and passed translator qualification examinations in the legal field organized by the School of Linguistics and Cultural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FIBUI). After passing, they will then take oath by the Governor of DKI Jakarta.
Italy
Both Italian courts and consulates have the power to appoint as "official translators" candidates who pass an examination or show proof of language proficiency (usually a university degree).
Mexico
In Mexico, some local institutions, such as the Superior Court of Justice, require that a written and oral examination be passed for a translator to be recognized as an expert or "sworn" translator.
Norway
Candidates are certified by the Association of Government Authorized Translators, after passing a very demanding examination. Successful candidates are then authorized by the Norwegian government to sign their translations, following the phrase "True Translation Certified."
Poland
The standards of translation in Poland are regulated by a relevant department of the Ministry of Justice and every translator wishing to provide such services must pass a formal examination.
South Africa
In South Africa, the translator must be authorized by the High Court, and must use an original (or a sworn copy of an original) in his physical presence as his source text. The translator may only swear by his own translation. There is no requirement for an additional witness (such as a notary) to confirm the authenticity of the translation.
Spain
Only sworn translators can produce a sworn translation in Spain. To become a sworn translator in Spain, the candidate has to pass an exam set by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
Sweden
The "Kammarkollegiet" is an official agency that authorizes interpreters and translators, who must pass a stringent examination set by the organization. Authorized translators hold a protected professional title, and their translations are considered legal and binding for all legal purposes.
United States of America
The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics states: "There is currently no universal form of certification required of interpreters and translators in the United States, but there are a variety of different tests that workers can take to demonstrate proficiency."
