Legal, Certified, Sworn Translation

Alphatrad North America works with a large network of official translators worldwide. Our organization and working methods mean that certification by an expert in principal languages does not prolong the turnaround time. More than any other kind of work, legal translations of contracts, articles of association, authentic copies of judgments and other contractual documents must be handled by official translators.

Accuracy and diligence are important in this field and this is why some of Alphatrad’s official translators are foreign lawyers registered with the bars in the corresponding country. Your legal translations will always be entrusted to professionals who have studied law or who have many years of experience in this field and are thus completely familiar with the terminology they use.

Accredited translator

This refers to a language translation provider who has been certified by a professional translation organization.

Certified translation

This refers to a translation which needs to be accompanied with a certification by the official translator that the translation has been carried out by him or her. Certified translations are generally required for documents of official nature.

Notarized translation

Notarized translations are often required by formal governmental and legal bodies. The process of notarization is more formal than that required for certification.

Notarization of translation involves the translator of the document attending the offices of a Public Notary and declaring both on oath and in writing that the translation is a true and honest translation.

The Notary will then mark the translation accordingly with a certified stamp.

It is often the case that original documents are required for this purpose. For this reason, you should always check with the body requesting the legalization.

Sworn translation

A Sworn translation is where a translator has to testify in front of a Public Notary or Solicitor that they carried out the translation.

A certified translation is the most common need, however, some organizations and especially courts require Sworn translations. You should always check what level or wording is used when requesting a translation.

Not just anyone can claim to be a court-appointed expert unless appointed to the position by the corresponding Body.

This official translator, who is especially highly skilled in legal work, has been officially sworn and his or her certification is treated as authentic by the US courts and government bodies.