Certified Document Translation in Atlanta

In the United States, a certified translation is typically completed by a translator who is recognized by an Accrediting Agency or who is a member of a professional association, such as the American Translators Association (ATA). You may verify the certification by reviewing the certification statement attached to the translation, which must confirm that the translator is competent to perform translations and that the translated document is true and accurate. The certification statement or affidavit will also include the translator’s signature, contact information, and seal.

You can obtain a Certified Translation from a professional translator and specialized agencies in the United States. If you are currently in the Atlanta metro area, Spanish Docs Translations offers Certified Translation Services performed by a team of skilled and ATA-Certified Translators who guarantee the accuracy and authenticity of your documents.

To set the price of a certified translation, we assess the number of words, subject matter, document format, and urgency of the project. All of these factors may modify the price of the translation. For that reason, we ask you to send us the documents, and we will immediately deliver a quote estimating turnaround time and price.

In the United States, the legalization of a translation typically involves obtaining an apostille or authentication, depending on the state of origin and destination of the document and the purpose of the translation. Here are some general steps to legalize a translation in the United States:

Obtain a Certified Translation: make sure that a recognized translator has verified its accuracy.

1. Notarization (optional): In some cases, you may need to notarize the translation. This involves a notary public that will certify the translator’s signature, when the Translator signs before the Notary.
2. Authentication or apostille: Depending on the country of origin of the document and its destination, you may need to obtain an Apostille or Authentication. An apostille is a standardized certificate attached to the document to verify its authenticity. You can obtain an Apostille through the designated authority in the state where the original document was issued.
3. Consulate or embassy (if necessary): If the country of destination is not part of the Hague Convention, you may need to legalize the document through the consulate or the embassy of the country in question or obtain an Authentication from the Department of State. This usually takes longer and implies more steps than simply obtaining an apostille.

In the United States, the validity period of a translated document depends on its specific purpose and the regulations of the entity or institution requesting the document. In general, Certified Translations are considered valid as long as the translator is properly qualified, and the translation meets the necessary legal and authenticity requirements. The American Translators Association has a page where you may verify the credentials of an Accredited Translator. To do this, visit www.atanet.org/verify and enter the certification number that appears on the Certified Translator’s Seal.

In many places, including the United States, the phrase “official translator” is used to refer to professional translators who are usually certified or authorized by recognized organizations. Here are some steps to verify if a person is a certified or recognized translator:

• Ask for certifications: Professional organizations, such as the American Translators Association (ATA), usually recognize Certified Translators. To verify the validity of the ATA translators’ certification, visit www.atanet.org/verify.
• Confirm with professional associations: Consult the database of professional translator associations.
• Review experience and references: Request information about the translator’s experience and ask for references of previous work. Professional translators will be happy to provide you with evidence of their skills and experience. You may also refer to their online reviews on Google.

The time needed to have an official translation made depends on various factors, such as the complexity of the document, the number of words, the translator’s availability, and the urgency of the request. In general, official translations take between 1 and 2 working days, especially those that require certification.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires that translations be certified. This means they must be done by a competent translator who can provide a written attestation that the translation is accurate and complete.

An apostilled translation includes an apostille attached either to the original document or to the translation. The apostille is a certificate that authenticates the signature and seal of a public official, such as a certifying officer or a notary public, on the original document. That is why it certifies the authenticity of the attached translation.

The apostille is part of the document legalization process, and it is particularly relevant when the documents are to be presented in a country that is part of the Hague Apostille Convention of 1961. This convention simplifies the legalization process of the document between signatory countries since it is accepted as proof of authenticity of the public official’s signature and seal.

The need for an apostille for a translation depends on its purpose and on the specific requirements of the country or entity receiving the document. The apostille is typically attached to the original document and not to the translation. It is used to authenticate the signature and seal of a public official on the original document.

It is important to verify the specific requirements of the receiving entity to determine whether the translation needs authentication or certification. In some cases, the certification of a competent translator is enough, while in other cases, an additional process, such as notarization, is required.

The apostille is usually attached to the original document to verify its validity. In some cases, it can also be attached to the Translation, so it is essential to find out the requirements of the entity where you are submitting your translations. In some cases, a consulate or court may request an apostille on both the original document and its translation. The apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature and the seal of a public official appearing on the original document or translation. These are the steps to obtain an apostille for a document or Certified Translation.

1. Apostille for the original document: Regardless of when you are having the document translated, the original document will require an apostille. To obtain an apostille, contact the applicable authority in the issuing country or state. For example, if you have a birth certificate or a marriage license that has the original signature of the official Vital Records and a raised seal, you will be able to obtain an Apostille.
   
   
2. Obtain a Certified and Notarized Translation: After having your original document apostilled, your document is ready to be translated by a Professional Translator. Again, some agencies expect the Apostille to be translated, while others request only the document translation.
   
   
3. An apostille for your Translation: To have your translation verified by the Department of State of Georgia with an apostille, the translation needs to be duly signed by a Certified Translator and before a notary public. In this way, the translation will be ready and be granted the apostille in the State of Georgia.
   
   
4. Submitting your documents to the proper authority: Once your original document, its notarized translation, and their apostilles are ready, you may submit them to the proper authorities.

In the United States, the authority in charge of providing the apostille changes according to the origin of the document. Here are some general guidelines:

• State Documents: Documents issued by the state, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates or diplomas, the apostille is generally obtained with the Department of State of the state issuing the document. Each state has its own process and fees.
• Federal Documents: For federal documents issued by federal agencies, such as FBI Background Checks, apostilles are granted by the State Department of the United States.
• Notary Documents: For documents signed before a Notary Public, such as Power of Attorney or other Business Documents, the apostille is granted by the state, most often by the state where the notary is registered.
• Court Documents: For court Documents such as divorce final judgments and orders or other legal documents signed by the Court Registrar or Court Clerk, the apostille may be obtained from the applicable court or from the Department of State of the state where the court is located.
• Academic Documents: In the case of Academic and School or College Documents, such as Diplomas and Transcripts, the apostille may be obtained through the Department of State for the state where the school or university is located.