Certificate of Translation Accuracy: Sample and Requirements

What a certificate of translation accuracy is

A certificate of translation accuracy is the signed statement that turns a translation into a certified translation. The translator or translation company confirms that the translation is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent in both languages. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires this certification for every foreign-language document, and most U.S. universities, credential evaluators and agencies expect it as well. Below is an example of the elements a certificate usually includes.

Sample wording

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This sample is provided for reference only, to show what a certificate contains. It is not legal advice, and the receiving office's instructions always govern.

The elements every certificate should include

Who should sign it

The certificate should be signed by the professional translator or the translation company that produced the translation. Although USCIS does not require a particular credential, many offices, including the credential evaluator WES, will not accept translations made by the applicant. A translation by a family member or friend can create delays if a reviewer questions its accuracy or impartiality. Professional translation protects the application.

When the certificate must be notarized

Some offices ask for a notarized translation. The translator then signs the certificate before a notary, often with wording adapted for a sworn statement, and the notary completes a jurat. A notarized certificate can then be apostilled for use abroad. See Certified vs. Notarized vs. Sworn Translation and Can a Translation Be Apostilled?.

Our certified translations

Every translation we deliver includes a signed certificate of accuracy on our letterhead, with notarization and apostille available. We translate in more than 65 languages through our American Translators Association corporate membership, usually within three business days, with rush service available. See Certified Translation and Documents That Need Certified Translation.

Certificate or affidavit?

A certificate of translation accuracy is a signed statement. A translator's affidavit is the same statement made under oath before a notary. Courts and some foreign offices prefer the affidavit form because it is sworn and can be apostilled. When an office asks for a "sworn statement" or "notarized translation," it usually means the affidavit form.

Formatting tips reviewers appreciate

• Attach the certificate directly to the translation, and the translation to a copy of the original.
• Number the pages of the translation.
• Keep the translation's layout close to the original.
• Use the same spelling of names throughout the file.

When offices question a translation

If a reviewer questions a translation, the certificate's contact information lets them reach the translator directly. A professional translation company can confirm the translation, explain terminology choices and, if needed, provide a corrected or notarized version quickly. That accountability is one of the main reasons offices prefer professional translations over translations by friends or family.