Almost half of businesses planned to go ahead with international expansion this year. Some decided to delay, but most moved forward. Some even considered a global, remote workforce where they hadn’t before.
Maybe you’re expanding your business overseas or trying to close a deal with a client in another country. Either way, you need to translate some of your business documents. As you think about document translation, you’ll need to keep several factors in mind.
One important aspect is the difference between certified document translation and other services. What is certified translation and how does it stack up against other services?
Different Types of Translation Services
Certified document translation is one type of translation service available for businesses. Notarized translations are another common type. The two are very different.
With a certified document translation, the translator gives you a Certificate of Accuracy. This statement says the document is a true and accurate representation.
A notarized translation asks a translator to swear an oath of accuracy. The seal of a public notary must be on the document.
What’s the Difference?
Both notarized and certified translations are used in legal situations.
The certified translation is about the accuracy of the translation. With notarized documents, the identity of the translator is more important.
Notarized documents are often more of a formality for that reason. Certified documents have more legal weight.
When to Use Certified Document Translation
As noted, certification is important for legal document translation. The translator provides a statement confirming the accuracy of the translation.
This is often a requirement for official document translation, like immigration documents. Notarized translations are often used for university entrance applications.
The experts at dtstranslates.com say you’ll want certified translation for:
- Trial transcripts
- Evidence presented in another language
- Documents for immigration, like birth certificates
- Patent filing
- Contracts
- Medical records
There are other types of documents that certified translation may be useful for. If there could be a legal dimension to the document or accuracy is key, certification may be a good idea. Certificate attestation in Qatar is essential for verifying the authenticity and legality of documents
When Not to Use Certified Document Translation
Certified document translation services are often more expensive. You don’t want to use them if you don’t need to. Many types of business documents don’t need this type of translation.
These might include your marketing materials. Website materials and restaurant menus are other common examples.
Different institutions will have different rules. If you’re unsure, check with the institution you’re submitting the paperwork to. A brief conversation can clear things right up.
Translating Your Business Overseas with the Right Advice
Translation can be tricky, especially for legal documents. That’s why certified document translation is so important. You need to be sure that they’re accurate representations of the originals.
Wondering what else your business needs to be aware of as you plan to expand overseas? We have you covered! Check out more tips and insights in our archives.
