Can translation done on your own substitute a certified translation done by a translation agency?

Certified translation vs. translation

Have you ever wondered why every institution in the United States (the USCIS, courts, public schools, colleges or medical facilities, etc.) or overseas, where you file or send the documents to, rejects them because you did documents translation yourself? They keep insisting on submitting certified translations, and you keep questioning yourself why. Do they do so because they do not trust you? Do they, perhaps, doubt your linguistic skills? Of course, not!

Most of government, educational and legal institutions in the USA and overseas, asks for certified translation, because:

• Official authorities want to be sure that the document you present is not forged.
• Authorities assume that you, as an interested person, may lack objectivity while translating you own documents. They also take into consideration that you can counterfeit the content for this or that reason in order to mislead officials.
• Government agencies or private institutions want to be sure that translation is accurate.
• Imprecise translations can lead to erroneous decisions, weather it comes to your immigration petition acceptance, court decision on your case or enrollment you for a new academic year. In order to minimize future discrepancies, authorities request your translations to be done by competent and independent translators, who, by signing the affidavit of accuracy, ensure the accuracy of translation performed.
• Authorities do so, because they try to save your money, efforts and time.
• If translation, completed by you, is faked, inaccurate or contains mistakes, you case might be denied. The USCIS, courts or other official institutions, universities or colleges usually do not refund application fee if the documents are rejected due to improperly done translations. They assume that it is your fault because you did not follow the well –known requirements regarding certified translations.

To make a long story short, the authorities do not try to make you hard times, upset you, or make you spend additional money. They just attempt to save you from harm and unfair outcome, which incorrect translations can lead to.