Not every
document you have requires a certified translation — but not knowing which ones
do can lead to needless expense or, conversely, a rejected document. The
general rule is simple: if a document will be submitted to an official
institution, it most likely needs a certified translation. Here are the most
common cases.
Personal Status Documents
Documents like
birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and civil registry
extracts almost always require a certified translation if they'll be used in a
procedure abroad (marriage, residence, citizenship application). Since these
documents prove your personal status, their official validity is critical.
Educational Documents
Educational
documents like diplomas, transcripts, and enrolment certificates usually
require a certified translation for foreign university applications or
equivalence procedures. Especially in diploma equivalence processes, the
translation being official and accurate matters greatly — even a small error
can delay the process.
Legal and Commercial Documents
Legal/commercial
documents like contracts, powers of attorney, court decisions, and company
documents require a certified translation if they'll be used in an official
process. Since the accuracy of the translation carries legal consequences in
these documents, the responsibility of an authorised translator is essential.
When a Regular Translation Is Enough
Not everything
has to be certified. For understanding an article, translating a website, a
personal letter, or informational texts, a regular translation is enough. A
certified translation only comes into play when official validity is required —
getting a certified translation unnecessarily means spending for nothing.
If you're not
sure whether your document needs a certified or a regular translation, just
tell us the document and where you'll submit it — we'll tell you clearly which
is right. That way you get exactly the translation needed, no more, no less.