Notarized Translation

What’s the Difference Between a Notarized Translation and an Official Translation?


There are different kinds of translation available these days for the best interest of the public. Firstly we need to know what they are. There are two main kinds of translation as follows:

  1. Notarized Translation

This is the kind of translation where the translation of some important document is done in front of a notary along with his stamp and signature. The various details such as date, name, and signature and contact information are provided in it to ensure that they are absolutely genuine and authentic. The notary might not be well versed with the translation itself but he or she can confirm depending on the certification that the document is relevant and all the information mentioned in it is true and relevant in the public interest.

 

  1. Official Translation

The official translation is also known as the certified translation and it is done in case of all official documents. This is just to certify that the translation is accurate and complete to the best of the translator’s knowledge and that he is an authorized translator by profession. This makes it certain that no layman knowing the language for translation has been involved in the translation of the otherwise important document.

Both of these kinds of documentation and translation might seem same to any person but if you look into the detail of the two kinds of translation you would know that they have a slight line of difference between the two and both of them are equally important in terms of legal documentation and translation and the like.

Some of the basic differences that can be found from the definition itself of official translation and notarized translation are:

  • The official translation can be said to be just a translation of an official document in the legal form whereas the notarized translation is the form of translation that is done in front of a notarized public with enough evidence for the authenticity of the document.
  • Secondly, as already mentioned, the official document does not require a third person from the department of law or whose words have the value in law and the official matters of things to certify that the information mentioned in the document are absolutely true. Whereas, in case of notarized translation, as the name already suggests a notary public needs to attest and authenticate the information mentioned in the document.
  • In case of an official document the translator has to do his translation of the document and he himself is expected to provide all information such as his signature, date, contact info and vouch for the genuine nature of the document. On the other hand, for a notarized document even the notary has to put his stamp and over and above the translator he has to confirm that the document has been completely and accurately translated and by a professional translator.

 

  • Official documents can be any official records or deeds that have been translated by a professional translator, whereas Notarized documents generally pertain to marriage certificates, diplomas, birth certificates, university certificates and the like.

 

  • In case of official translation the charges are less compared to notarized translations. This is because, over and above the certified translation charges the notary gets to charge an extra amount just to put his signature and stamp.

 

  • Official Translation needs a declaration by the translator itself that the document is translated completely and accurately whereas Notarized translation needs the notary to verify that the translator’s translation is complete and accurate.

All these and many more differences set the Official translation apart from the notarized translation. Both these kinds of translations are legal and hold a lot of importance in documentation or rather legalization of documents of many different kinds. Official as well as notarized translation need to be done be professional translators who are incorporated for this service. No layman having the knowledge about the native language is entitled to do the job in random.

In case of Notarize translation the notary public might not have the full idea about the native language but he vouches for the translation of the professional translator on the basis of the certification. Both translation as well as notarization is well paid jobs that come with a lot of responsibility. This is because they are both certifying a set of information that has public importance and in case there is some falsehood or discrepancies, they are the first ones to be questioned.