Learn the difference between certified and notarized translation. Discover when you need each and how Sure Translation makes the process simple.
When you need to submit official documents in another language, accuracy matters. Whether it is a birth certificate, marriage license, academic transcript, or legal contract, the smallest mistake can cause delays, added costs, or even rejection of your application. That is why certified and notarized translations exist. But what is the difference between them, and which one do you need?
Government agencies, schools, and courts require documents to be clear, accurate, and properly formatted. A wrong word or missing detail can cause confusion or make your submission invalid. Certified translators provide translations that are precise and legally acceptable. In some cases, notarization is also required to add another layer of trust.
A certified translation comes with a signed statement from the translator or translation company confirming that the translation is complete and accurate. This is called a Certificate of Translation Accuracy.
Certified translations are often required by:
For example, a Mexican birth certificate includes official seals and a registrar signature. These details must be included exactly as they appear in the original document. A certified translator knows how to meet these requirements so the translation is accepted.
Using a service like Sure Translation ensures your documents meet official standards. Certification gives your paperwork credibility, helps prevent rejections, and speeds up the process.
A notarized translation takes certification one step further. In this case, the translator swears an oath in front of a notary public that the translation is accurate and that they are qualified to perform it. The notary then verifies the translator’s identity and adds an official stamp or seal.
Notarization proves both the quality of the translation and the identity of the translator. This reduces the risk of fraud and is sometimes required for highly sensitive documents such as:
Notaries can be found at banks, law offices, and notary agencies. While not every translation needs to be notarized, when it is required, skipping this step can lead to rejection.
Certified translators, like those at Sure Translation, go through specialized training and are tested by professional organizations such as the American Translators Association (ATA). This ensures they have the language skills, cultural knowledge, and technical expertise to deliver accurate translations that meet official requirements.
Certified translators also know how to handle difficult cases, such as damaged original documents or unclear terminology, and provide proofreading and quality control. Choosing a certified translator means your documents will stand up to scrutiny.
Sure Translation is ATA-accredited and guarantees 100% USCIS acceptance. We make the process simple and affordable with:
Whether you need a certified translation, notarized translation, or both, Sure Translation delivers dependable results you can trust.
Request your instant quote today and take the stress out of document translation.
Not always. Certified translations are often enough for most applications. However, some agencies, such as USCIS for documents submitted from outside the US, require both. Always check the requirements before submitting.
A certified translation confirms the translation is accurate and complete. A notarized translation goes further by having a notary verify the translator’s identity and qualifications.
The cost of notarized translation depends on the provider, the type of document, and the language. Because notarization requires a notary public, an extra fee is usually added on top of the translation cost. While Sure Translation does not provide notarized translations, we offer certified translations starting at $18 per page. If your document also requires notarization, you can take our certified translation to a local notary public for this additional step.
Only professional translators or translation agencies with proper credentials can provide certified translations. Sure Translation uses ATA-certified translators for dependable results.
Notaries are often available at banks, law offices, notary agencies, and sometimes even local libraries. Your translation provider may also arrange notarization for you.
Koury & Well LLC
%20(1).png)
.png){kind=spacer}