Certified translations in the USA
A professional certified translation is a translation of a text or document from one language to another by an expert linguist with guarantee that:
1. Such a translator is proficient in both, source and target languages allowing him/her to produce accurate and complete translation of the document.
2. The translation is precise and culturally correct.
In spite there are no requirements in the U.S. regarding certified translators, there are specified requirements regarding certified translations, established by U.S. officials, courts and academic institutions.
Immigrants arriving to the United States are often dealing with U.S. lawyers, Courts and Immigration Officials and State Licensing Departments which organizations will consider the accuracy of the documents you’ve had presented to them.
Where Certified Translations are required?
1. U.S. Immigration (USCIS), INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) and DHS (Department of Homeland Security). These departments, processing immigration cases require certified translations of foreign documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and divorce certificates for visa, immigration and custom purposes. In accordance with statement made on the official USCIS website (section “General Tips on Assembling Applications for Mailing”), you “should submit certified translations for all foreign language documents. The translator must certify that s/he is competent to translate and that the translation is accurate.”
2. The U.S. Federal, State and Local Department or Agencies such as Passports issuing authorities (USPS), State Department of Licensing, the Department of Motor Vehicles and County Clerks offices.
3. Insurance companies – if you would like to proof your driving experience overseas and reduce monthly costs of car insurance payments, your foreign Driver’s License should be presented along with its certified translation into English language.
4. Educational Institutions – Most universities, colleges and credential evaluation centers oblige students to present a certified translation of diplomas, attachments to secondary education certificates, transcripts to diplomas or course description before initiating the enrollment process.
5. Businesses & Corporations – Certified translations of business – related documents help validate a company’s financial reports, patent filings, legal documents and business agreements for all stakeholders.
6. Courts and Attorneys – U.S. Courts and government agencies require certified translations of judgements, decrees, decisions, transcripts and other legal documents to validate the accuracy of translations.
Why official authorities ask for a Certified Translation?
1. Validity – translations performed by the third – party (certified translation agencies) ensure that the translations are accurate and the information translated is not falsified.
The USCIS is on high alert about counterfeit documents given the uncontrolled use of unlawfully used documents. The use of a specialized translation agency provides assurance to the INS, the DHS and the USCIS as the translation is backed by the standing of the respective and reputable U.S. translation company.
2. Process effectiveness – a correctly and properly done document translation certified by an U.S. professional translation agency in New York or any other state decreases administrative processing time, placing the reviewer at ease and ensuring faster decision making.
Am I allowed to produce certified translation of my own documents?
It is not recommended to translate your own documents to use them for official purposes due to the following reasons:
1. Legality – in most cases translating a document on your own does not offer the right level of guarantee to competent authorities that the document has not been falsified. The significance and intricacy of the immigration process should be sufficient motive for requesting a higher level of validity with your translated documents.
2. Precision – Mis – translations can cause denial of granting immigration benefits or the U.S. citizenship. Thus, before making a decision of translating your documents yourself, consider it really worth to risk the outcome of your case due to possible mistakes in translations.
3. Time frames – failure to submit a correct translation of your document with the immigration or other official departments increases the risk of case rejection causing more pain and headache in an otherwise already complicated process.
If you have any questions or suggestions related to the area under discussion and have concerns if a translator whom you’ve hired to perform the translation task for you is considered certified, please feel free to contact the Apoling Solutions.