What are the differences between regular and certified translation?

Certified translation is a specialized type for official, legal, or sensitive documents (birth certificates, marriage licenses, academic transcripts, legal contracts, medical records). It is accompanied by a signed and dated statement from the translator or agency attesting to accuracy and completeness. Key characteristics: Documentation (Certificate of Accuracy), Qualifications (specific qualifications or certifications), Accuracy (extremely accurate for official purposes).

Regular translation refers to documents that do not require certification (marketing materials, website content, user manuals, internal business communications). Key characteristics: Cost (less expensive), Specialization (industry-specific terminology), Flexibility (more flexible in style and tone). When to Use Certified: official or legal purposes, medical documentation, legal proceedings, academic applications, immigration or visa applications.

When to Use Regular: general use, internal business communications, technical manuals, website content, marketing materials. Conclusion: Certified translations are necessary for official or legal purposes; regular translations are suitable for general use.