A certified translation in the United States is the highest form of authentication for a translation according to US laws. Unlike other countries, the United States does not have a regulatory body for written translations. The closest comparison would be court certification for interpreters. In today’s article, we will discuss what certified translations are and what they are used for.
Every country has their own translation laws and rules. In the United States, a certified translation must be accompanied by a certificate of accuracy that is a statement from the translator ensuring the accuracy of the translation performed. It should contain the translator’s information and signature. There is no government body that oversees translator certification in the United States.
While certified translations are typically sufficient for submitting to most government agencies and courts of law in the United States, it is always a good idea to check with the end recipient to ensure notarization is not required. Some private entities, such as banks, and some government agencies such as the DMV, may require notarization as an additional authentication step.
Certified translations are required for many processes in the United States, including:
Immigration: Any foreign document submitted to the USCIS must be translated to English and certified.
Applying for a mortgage: Any documents used to obtain a mortgage that come from another country, such as paystubs, financial statements, proof of income, etc. must be translated to English and certified.
Opening a bank account: Banks have strict KYC requirements and as part of those, they must be able to properly identify the customer and any verifying information with English-language documents.
Legal proceedings: The use of foreign documents in a legal proceeding, such as a lawsuit, requires certified translations.
Applying to a university: Whenever a foreign student applies to a university, the university must be able to verify any previous transcripts, diplomas, etc. and thus, they must be certified English translations.
At CSH Translation, we specialize in certified translations and notarized translations. Whether it involves translating a birth certificate to English for a USCIS process or translating evidence for a legal proceeding, we are accustomed to working with these types of documents on a daily basis. Our certified translations are accepted in all 50 United States. If you require a certified translation for another country, we can assist you as well. Please contact us: info@cshtranslation.com