What exactly is a certified translation?

A certified translation means different things depending on what country you are getting it in. In Europe, translators can become “certified” or “sworn” translators by showing enough proof of their experience and training and taking an oath. Once they have completed this process, they are authorized to certify their translations with an official stamp. In Russia and Ukraine, a translator who has a master’s degree in translation and is registered as an individual entrepreneur (much like a sole proprietor) can produce certified translations and is authorized to use an official stamp. These certifications are valid within all CIS countries (former member states of the Soviet Union). A sworn translation or certified translation includes a copy of the original document, the translation, and a declaration of accuracy. The declaration must include the translator’s official stamp in order to be valid.

Another variation is a notarized translation. In this case, the translator presents their translation to a notary public and signs and stamps the declaration of accuracy in the presence of the notary. The notary public does not verify the accuracy of the translation itself, but they verify the identity of the translator and verify that he or she is eligible to produce a certified translation.

When do I need a certified translation?

If you want to immigrate, get married, or apply to a university in Russia or Ukraine, you will likely need a certified Russian document translation or a notarized Russian translation at some point during the process. Translations of official documents such as school records, professional certifications, birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates etc. often need to be certified or notarized to show that the translation is accurate and complete. When applying for membership to a professional organization, you may need to submit certified translations of your professional qualifications.
For example, if you want to move to Russia and your personal documents are English, most government offices will require a notarized English to Russian document translation. This is because the person or agency who is receiving the translated documents can often not read the original, and the notarization assures them that the translation is indeed correct.

There may also be situations where other types of documents need to be certified. For example, some legal documents or contracts could require the services of a certified English to Russian translator. If you are unsure whether you need to provide a certified or notarized translation, you can always check with the person or agency you are submitting the documents to.

How to choose a certified English to Russian translator

If you are submitting documents to a Russian or Ukrainian authority, you will want to look for a certified English to Russian translator, or a certified English to Ukrainian translator, as they will be familiar with the exact certification requirements in their country. Be sure to check whether you need a notarized translation, or if a certified translation is enough. Submitting a translation that doesn’t meet the requirements could cause unnecessary delays and extra costs.

When it comes to certified Russian and Ukrainian translation, Yuliya Kinash offers expert translation services that you can trust. Get a quote today (kinash@kinash.com) or call me at +38 067 6 9999 08 to see how I can help you.