When to Use Certified vs Notarized Translations

If you need to get a document professionally translated, you may be asked to provide proof that you used a qualified service. This proof usually comes in one of two forms: a certified translation or a notarized translation. The differences between the two – and when they are used – are significant.

Use one, not both

Today, it’s usually one or the other that is required – either a certified or a notarized translation, but not both. This was not always the case, as just a few years ago the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) required that all certified translations also be notarized. However, the USCIS has since changed the rules and dropped the notarization requirement, making certified translations the standard U.S. requirement for all immigration purposes.

Why Notarizing a Certified Translated Document?

Understanding certified translations is not easy. When a translation is finished, it is checked multiple times for maximum accuracy. This process is tedious compared to standard translation processes. After the documents are checked, the translation is given to a notary public. The translation is presented with the original document and a statement from the translator saying that the translation is accurate and complete. A notary public affixes their seal to the translation after this occurs. Though this part of the process does not guarantee accuracy of the translation, it verifies the translation as having higher validation.