Using a certified translation

The exact definition of a certified translation does not exactly come to mind when the term is mentioned. The word ‘certificate’ could mean all sorts of things, such as the indication of a strict legal process by which a translation is examined to ensure that it meets the established criteria. In fact, a certified translation simply comes with an honest guarantee from the source, be it an agency or a freelance linguist, that it has been produced with the utmost precision by the expertise of a professional translator. This may seem obvious to some who might take it for granted, but the value of this guarantee is still held in high esteem among a wide range of customers.

Many of these clients operate in the legal sphere. Consider, for example, a legal case in which an attorney working for an advocacy team is questioning the accuracy of a crucial translated document. How can the lawyer argue convincingly for such a notion when a certified professional linguist has sworn otherwise? Generally for most countries, laws dictate that a translation can only be used in a court of law as long as it has received the corresponding certification.

Therefore, whether by law or in one of many other areas where frequently certified translations are required, the key benefits are focused on avoiding the consequences of any errors that may arise as a result of an incorrect translation. If errors are discovered, the client, the associates and the governing bodies cannot hold him responsible, since the blame will fall directly on the person who carried out the translation, who ensured its birth certificate translation.

Obtaining high-quality certified translations won’t be too big of a task considering the considerable choice that is available from service providers, including translation companies, a huge number of independently operating agencies and certified translators. However, narrowing down the best providers can be a long process, even if it’s a good problem. A good idea is to look at portfolios and customer feedback, and those who really want to give a detailed exam a go can even go so far as to verify that the translators have the right qualifications for the potential assignment. While this may seem a bit excessive to some, it is all part of the more in-depth search for certified translation services that includes looking at rates, security of a service, and how quickly completed translations are delivered.