Types of Legal Translation Services

Legal translation is the localization of text and media used in the preparation or execution of legal proceedings. Legal Translations cover a broad spectrum of different requirements. The different types of Legal translation involve different types of translators with expertise in the particular domain of the media. Legal Translation services are also linked to many other related services, like transcription, transcreation, gisting, or interpretation. There are 3 different types of legal document translation:

a) Sworn Translation

b) Notarized Translation

c) Certified Translation

Detailed information about the above 3 Legal Translation is provided below:

1. Sworn Translation

Sworn Translation is done by a sworn translator entitled to create public instruments by signing and sealing of translation attached to originals. A sworn translator needs to either take an oath before a government agency “in general” or specifically for a project.

Sworn Translation Format

As mentioned above, a sworn translation needs to have a signature and seal of the Sworn Translator. The format needs to include Signature and seal.

2. Certified Translation

In a certified translation, the translator personally signs for accepting responsibility for its accuracy (without being a formally “sworn translator”), enabling the client to use the document for formal procedures. Certified translations are usually required for legal documents like birth, death, or marriage certificates, documents for immigration purposes, agreements, contracts. For certified translation, there is no requirement of a Translator to be certified by any court. Each qualified translator can certify the translation and accuracy of the translation. A signed certificate of accuracy is used for certified translation.

3. Notarized Translation

Notarized translations are created with a third party verification (by a notary public, not a translator) that the person who has completed the work is declaring that the work is complete, done to the best of their ability, and accurate. The translator is required to swear an oath for the accuracy of translated documents. To make the notarized document valid, the translator is required to sign an affidavit containing official signatures and seal of the notary public. There are different requirements for different countries for notarised translation.