Many people who contact us about our certified translation services request information about notarized translations. They might ask question such as “does my certified translation need to be notarized?” or “what is a notarized translation?” Sometimes they mention that they are getting a document translated for the first time so they are not sure how the process works or whether they need to get their translations notarized. We have extensive experience with certified and notarized translations. We will do our best to assist you with the translation of your documents from English to foreign languages and vice versa.

We can translate, certify, and notarize various types of documents including birth certificates, death certificates, financial statements, medical records, school transcripts, etc. We support many languages including Polish, Romanian, Italian, French, Farsi, Hebrew, Portuguese, Dutch, and Japanese. A notarized translation is very similar to a certified translation except that the notary’s acknowledgement is also attached to the translation and certification. We can certify and notarize translations upon request for an additional fee.

Notarized Translations for County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

You might need a notarized translation if you are planning to send your personal documents to the county recorder’s office. We have translated many documents for the country recorder’s office and have the required certification on file. For this purpose you need to have an ATA or court approved translator complete the translation of the documents. The translator must fill out the proper declaration and certification. The declaration and certification has to be attached to the notary public’s acknowledgement.

Notarized Translations for Getting a Passport

You might need a notarized translation if you are in the process of getting a passport. We have translated many documents such as birth certificates and proof of adoption for individuals who were applying for a passport. Please get in touch with us if you need a translation for passport application.

Notarized Translations for the Secretary of State

If you intend to get an apostille for vital records, then you might need a notarized translation. Please get in touch with us regarding the translation of your marriage license, birth certificate, or any other document for the secretary of state.

Cases where you do NOT need a notarized translation

While many people believe that they need to have their documents for immigration applications translated and notarized, USCIS actually does not require the translation of foreign language documents to be notarized. For immigration purpose you only need a certified translation. In addition, courts in California do not require foreign language documents to be accompanied by a notarized translation. They only request a certified translation by a court approved translator.

Myths about Notarized Translations

-Despite popular belief that a notarized translation guarantees accuracy of translations, a notarized translation simply means that the translator or the translation company’s representative who signs the certification does so before a notary public. Consequently, the purpose of the acknowledgement form is probably just to verify the identity of the translator or translation firm’s agent. It does not suggest that the translation is correct or complete as notaries do not necessarily speak the source language. Even if the notaries speak the source language, they cannot modify the acknowledgement form to reflect that.

-Many people believe that they can get a notarized translation from notaries. Notaries are not necessarily bilinguals or possess translation skills. Even if they are professional translators, they probably cannot notarize their own translations. Likewise, translators are not necessarily notaries too. To get a notarized translation, you can contact a translation services company such as California Center for Translation & Interpretation.

I’m Ready! How Do I Begin?

If you are ready to get a notarized translation, please follow these simple steps:

-Determine what documents have to get translated, certified, and notarized.

-Scan the documents and email them to info@cacfti.com. If you do not have access to a scanner you can use your phone as long as the images are clear and the text is legible.

-Let us know in the body of your email that you are looking for a notarized translation. If you have multiple documents each of which needs to be attached to a separate notarization form, please let us know.

We can provide certified and notarized translations for law firms, country recorder’s office, universities, loan officers, consular offices, medical offices, etc. We look forward to speaking with you about your translation needs. We are confident that you will be impressed by our professional translation services.