Certified Translation Services

A translation that comes with a signed certificate of accuracy. The certificate confirms the translation is complete and accurate, names the language pair and states the translator's qualifications. At Tomedes, a domain-matched linguist translates, a second translator reviews independently, and the 1-Year Quality Guarantee covers the result. Read the Tomedes guide to certified translations.

In the US, yes. The American Translators Association states that anyone can certify a translation and that ATA certification is not required. Authorities may reject a certificate signed by the applicant or a relative, so use an independent professional translator or agency.

Legally, often yes. USCIS does not bar applicants from translating their own documents, but it can question a self-translation as biased, and courts or universities may reject it. The translation still needs a signed certificate of competence and accuracy. Most filers use an independent provider to avoid delays.

Ask for the certificate of accuracy and read the translator's qualifications statement, then check credentials such as ATA certification or an ISO 17100 process. In the US, ATA certification is optional for a certified translation. See how to become a certified translator for what each credential involves.

A certificate of accuracy is the signed statement that makes a translation certified. A typical one reads: "I, [name], am competent to translate from [language] into English, and the attached translation of [document] is complete and accurate. Signed, [name], [date]." ATA also expects a statement of the translator's qualifications.

No. 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) requires a full English translation with the translator's certification of completeness, accuracy and competence, and it does not require notarization. Some courts and foreign authorities may ask for it. See the Tomedes USCIS certified translation guide.

Yes. A notary public can notarize the signature on a certified translation, which verifies the signer's identity. The notary does not check the quality of the translation, so the certificate comes first. Tomedes coordinates notarization during delivery for a flat fee per document. Read more on whether a notary can translate a document.

An apostille authenticates a notarized document for use in the 130 countries that belong to the Hague Apostille Convention (HCCH, June 2026). In the US, the Secretary of State usually issues it. Check whether the destination country requires one before you order.

Documents of 1 to 3 pages are typically delivered within 24 hours, and larger or complex files within 1 to 3 business days. Rush and same-day options are available for a premium; see realistic rush turnaround and cost.

No. Notarization is a flat fee per document and apostille coordination is priced by jurisdiction. Both appear as separate lines in the firm quote Tomedes sends within 15 minutes.

ChatGPT can draft a translation, but it cannot certify one. A certified translation needs a human translator who signs a statement of competence and accuracy. Tomedes uses AI to speed up the work only where it helps, and a human translator reviews, certifies and signs every document.

Yes. Ask for notarization at intake and request courier delivery if the destination needs originals. Tomedes delivers a certified PDF by default and arranges sealed hard copies when the receiving authority asks for them.

When a court, regulator or foreign counterparty will review it. A certified translation helps meet formal requirements and lowers risk. See Tomedes contract translation for details.

Confirm the provider's translations are accepted for your use case, then check turnaround, independent review, ISO 17100 certification and whether notarization or an apostille can be added. Tomedes holds ISO 17100:2015 and is an ATA corporate member.

Yes. Credential evaluation agencies such as World Education Services (WES) and Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) require certified translations of academic documents not issued in English, with a signed certificate of accuracy. Tomedes provides certified academic translation of transcripts, diplomas and records, with standard turnaround of 24 to 48 hours.