Don’t know what to order from a specialist? We recommend that you first learn the basic concepts about translators’ different types of work from our article.

You may often need certified translations even for trivial purposes. We are talking about business, education, immigration, or health care. Remember, not all variants are equal from a legal point of view. Today, we will examine in detail which cases a standard translation is needed and when a certified version is required. A mistake in choosing can lead to a lot of trouble, from a visa refusal to a loss of time or even legal consequences.

Standard Translation: Basic Concepts and Features

A standard translation option is routine work on a text from a translator from one language to another without additional certification. Individual professionals work for themselves or agencies. We recommend the latter due to its wider range of possibilities and various languages.

What you get: The file is provided in an easy-to-understand format. It does not contain the translator’s official declaration or signature.

When you might need this service:

• Internal office work.
• Familiarity with the content of documents on various profiles.
• Adaptation of marketing materials, personal correspondence, and articles for cooperation with contractors and clients.
• Business documentation that does not need to be submitted to government agencies.

If you do not need the legal force of the translation but only the accuracy and reliability of the information, this is an excellent option. However, it is important to consider the topic of the text itself. If it concerns medicine, finance, or technology, you should look for a professional who understands such vocabulary and knows the abbreviations well. Otherwise, the work will be of poor quality.

Certified Translations: Its Role, Who It Is Suitable for

Certified translations are a special type of work accompanied by an official declaration (also called certification) in which a specialist or agency confirms many facts. They are responsible for the information presented in the file.

The translator confirms the following:

• The work is done accurately and completely.
• The translator speaks both languages.
• The final text corresponds to the original.

The finished version is signed by the translator or the agency itself. They need to indicate the date and contact details of the employee who did the work. Some countries also require notarization or a sworn statement.

People contact specialized agencies for a certified translation to submit it to such organizations:

• Immigration services. Among the most common requests are for organizations such as USCIS in the USA, IRCC in Canada, and UKVI in the UK. These organizations must follow particularly strict rules regarding data accuracy and registration.
• Judicial authorities.
• Universities and government agencies abroad.
• Banks and financial institutions.
• Medical institutions.

So, now you know the main points. Let’s delve into the details. 

When You Should Choose a Standard Translation

We will give the most striking examples. Perhaps your situation will be on the list, making it easier for you to find the appropriate agency.

You need a standard translation in such cases:

• Understand a document’s content in a language you do not know.
• Translate advertising materials, presentations, or web content.
• Share a detailed report or correspondence with foreign partners and colleagues.

In these and other situations, a standard translation will help. It will cost less, be completed in a shorter time frame, and not require formal procedures and seals.

Our advice: Contact trust agencies, such as Rapid Translate. You will also receive advice on which service is suitable in a particular situation. Good agencies have a notary.

Who Should Definitely Order a Certified Translation

Documents to official authorities require certification of a specialist, and sometimes a notary. Examples of situations when such a service is needed:

• Emigration to the USA, Canada, Great Britain, or other countries.
• Obtaining a visa, permanent residence, or citizenship.
• Enrollment in a foreign university.
• Marriage or divorce.
• Translation of court decisions and other legal documentation.
• Confirmation of diplomas and certificates for work abroad or admission to a university.

Important: Some agencies, such as USCIS, accept documents with mandatory wording about the translator’s responsibility. Without this designation, documents may be rejected.

Cost and Terms of Both Options

The standard version is cheaper, as it requires no exceptional additional work. Documentation is completed faster; some agencies can even do it urgently in 24 hours. Certified translations are more expensive. The price is higher because they include additional legal liability and the preparation of accompanying documentation. Sometimes, it is additionally necessary to certify the final version with a notary seal.

In practice, the difference is not always massive. If the translation is needed for an essential official matter and a government organization, an error can cost more than your savings on translation.

Conclusions

For both options, we recommend choosing large agencies with experience. Companies such as Rapid Translate and similar ones work with different languages and provide all related services, including a notary.

An additional plus is the experience of such companies. They know exactly what to do. There are even separate employees for different topics – medicine, law, technology, etc.