Certified Translation
Translation with sworn attestation.
A certified translation is a translation accompanied by a signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy from the translator or translation agency, attesting that the translation is a complete and accurate rendering of the source document. The certificate typically includes the translator's credentials, the source and target languages, and the document title.
Certified translations are required for many official submissions:
- USCIS requires certified English translations of any foreign-language document submitted with an immigration application (8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3)).
- US courts require certified translations of foreign-language evidence, contracts, and documentary submissions.
- Universities and credential evaluators require certified translations of academic transcripts and diplomas for admission and credential evaluation.
- Government agencies require certified translations for many regulatory submissions.
In the United States, certified translation is distinct from sworn translation (used in many civil-law countries, where a sworn translator is appointed by a court). US certified translation relies on translator attestation rather than court appointment, and is the standard form accepted by USCIS, US courts, and most US receiving authorities.