Can a Translation Be Apostilled?

The short answer

Yes, when the translation is notarized. An apostille certifies a public official's signature, and a notary public is a public official. When a translator signs a certificate of accuracy before a Massachusetts notary, the Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth can apostille the notarization. The apostille confirms the notary's commission and signature; it does not certify that the translation is accurate. Whether a foreign office accepts an apostilled U.S. translation is up to that office.

How it works, step by step

1. The original document is apostilled, if it is a U.S. document going abroad.
2. A professional translator translates the document and the apostille.
3. The translator prepares a certificate of accuracy identifying the document, the languages and the translator's competence.
4. The translator signs the certificate before a notary, who completes a jurat or acknowledgment.
5. The Secretary of the Commonwealth apostilles the notarized translation.
6. The original, its apostille, the translation and its apostille are delivered together.

What the apostille does and does not prove

When an apostilled translation is accepted

Some receiving offices accept translations made in the United States if they are notarized and apostilled, which can save the time and cost of translating abroad. Others require translations by their own sworn translators or by translators registered with their courts. The only reliable answer comes from the receiving office's instructions. When an office requires a sworn translator abroad, we apostille your original and ship it to the translator or attorney you choose. See Certified vs. Notarized vs. Sworn Translation.

Translations of foreign documents for use in a third country

Sometimes a document from one country is translated in the United States and used in another country, such as a Brazilian document translated in Boston for use in Portugal. The translation can be notarized and apostilled in Massachusetts, but the original foreign document must be authenticated by the country that issued it. Ask the receiving office whether it accepts this combination before you begin.

Common mistakes

• Apostilling the translation but not the original. The original document usually needs its own apostille.
• Translating before the apostille. The apostille is then left untranslated. See Translate Before or After the Apostille?.
• Self-translation. Many offices will not accept a translation made by the applicant.
• Separating the pages. Keep each apostille attached to the document it certifies.

Who signs the certificate before the notary

The translator, or an authorized representative of the translation company, signs the certificate of accuracy in front of the notary and is identified with a current government-issued photo ID. The notary completes a jurat when the translator swears to the accuracy of the translation, or an acknowledgment when the document calls for one. The notary does not review the translation. See Acknowledgment vs. Jurat.

Countries outside the Apostille Convention

If the translation is going to a country that does not accept apostilles, the notarized translation follows the legalization chain instead: a Massachusetts certification, authentication by the U.S. Department of State and legalization by the destination country's embassy. See Embassy Legalization.

Common documents translated and apostilled together

• Birth, marriage and divorce records for residency and citizenship files.
• Powers of attorney for property and banking abroad. See Powers of Attorney.
• Diplomas and transcripts for study and work abroad.
• Corporate documents for foreign subsidiaries and banks.
• FBI background checks, after the federal apostille.