FederalApostille.org provides structured assistance for certified and sworn translations of U.S. and foreign documents intended for official use before government authorities, courts, embassies, educational institutions, and international agencies.
Certified and sworn translations are often required as part of apostille, authentication, embassy legalization, immigration, civil registration, and international compliance processes. Acceptance standards vary by receiving authority and country. Our role is to ensure translations meet formatting, certification, and linguistic accuracy requirements so they are accepted without delay.
Certified & Sworn Translation Services
Submit your documents for professional, accurate translation by certified linguists. All translations include a certificate of accuracy.
Translation Intake Review & Requirement Determination
Before translation begins, each document is reviewed to determine the specific translation standard required by the receiving authority.
This review includes:
- Identification of the destination country and receiving institution
- Determination of certified vs. sworn translation requirement
- Review of document type and intended use
- Confirmation of language pair and formatting expectations
- Verification of whether translation must be notarized or attached to the source document
- Assessment of whether translation will be submitted for apostille, authentication, or embassy legalization
When requirements are unclear or vary by authority, guidance is provided prior to translation to prevent rejection.
Certified and sworn translations serve as official representations of the original document. Accuracy, completeness, and proper certification language are essential for acceptance.
- Certified Translation — Translator’s certification of accuracy and completeness
- Sworn Translation — Translation executed by a sworn or court-authorized translator (where required)
- Notarized Certification (when required) — Certification executed before a notary
- Formatting Alignment — Layout matching the original document structure
- Multi-Stage Use Compatibility — Prepared for apostille, authentication, or embassy legalization
Common Documents Requiring Certified or Sworn Translation
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Divorce decrees and court judgments
- Passports and identification records
- FBI background checks and police certificates
- Diplomas, transcripts, and academic records
- Powers of attorney and affidavits
- Corporate and commercial documents
- Immigration and residency filings
- Medical and insurance records
Translation requirements vary by country, authority, and purpose of use.
Translation Standards & Quality Control
Certified and sworn translations must meet strict acceptance standards. To maintain accuracy and compliance, we apply controlled quality procedures:
- Source document review prior to translation
- Terminology alignment with legal and civil standards
- Full translation of all visible text, seals, and stamps
- Certification statement aligned with receiving-authority norms
- Consistency review between source and translated versions
- Secure handling and controlled release of completed translations
Translations are prepared to support official submission, not informal reference.
FederalApostille.org provides guidance on which translation format is required based on destination country standards. Some authorities accept certified translations, while others require sworn translations or notarized certifications. Requirements may vary by ministry, embassy, court, or institution.
Translation Requirement Review. We confirm the required translation type and certification standard based on destination and intended use.
Translation Coordination. We coordinate preparation of certified or sworn translations aligned with acceptance requirements and downstream processing.
Secure Completion & Delivery. Completed translations are delivered securely and prepared for use in apostille, authentication, legalization, or direct submission.
A certified translation carries a signed statement that the translation is complete and accurate, and it is what United States authorities ask for. A sworn translation is produced by a translator formally authorised by a foreign court or ministry, and several civil-law countries accept nothing else. Tell us which the receiving office asked for - or send us what they wrote and we will tell you which one it is.
Which one do you need?
Certified translation - $75 a page. The translator signs a statement of competence and accuracy, which is what USCIS requires for any foreign-language document under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), and what US courts, universities and employers generally accept.
Sworn translation - $110 a page, flat. Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Brazil and several other civil-law countries keep a register of translators authorised by a court or ministry, and their registries will only take a translation signed by one of them. Check whether yours requires a translator registered in that country before you order - if it does, the translation has to be done there, and we will say so rather than sell you one that gets refused.
If the office simply said “official translation” and nothing more, a certified translation is almost always what they mean.
Translate after the apostille, not before
This is the single most common reason a translated file comes back. An apostille is attached to the document as it was issued and authenticates the signature on that document. A translation stapled to it beforehand is usually not covered by the apostille, and the receiving authority rejects the set.
The order that works almost everywhere: obtain the document, have it apostilled, then have the apostilled document translated in full - including the apostille certificate itself, its seals and its stamps. We do them in that order unless you tell us the authority asked for something different.
What a certified translation from us includes
- Every visible element translated - body text, seals, stamps, handwritten notes, marginal annotations and the apostille certificate.
- A signed certification of accuracy and translator competence, on letterhead.
- Layout that mirrors the original, so a registrar can read the two side by side.
- Names, dates and places transcribed exactly as they appear on your passport.
- Notarisation of the translator’s signature for an extra $25, where the receiving authority asks for it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between certified and sworn translation?
A certified translation carries a signed statement of accuracy from the translator and is what most US and UK bodies want. A sworn translation is produced by a translator formally authorised by a foreign court or ministry, and several civil-law countries accept nothing else.
Does USCIS accept a certified translation?
Yes. USCIS requires any foreign-language document to be accompanied by a full English translation with the translator's certification of competence and accuracy, under 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3). That is exactly what a certified translation is, and no notarisation is required for USCIS.
How fast can a translation be done?
Standard turnaround is one to two business days. A rush service returns the translation in three to twelve hours.
Should the document be translated before or after the apostille?
After. An apostille attaches to the document as issued, and a translation added beforehand is usually not covered by it, which is a common reason a file is returned. We translate the apostille certificate, its seals and its stamps as well.
Do you translate seals, stamps and handwriting?
Yes, and a translation that leaves them out is a common reason for rejection. Every visible element is translated or described, including seals, stamps, marginal notes and anything handwritten.
Can the translation be notarised?
Yes, for $25. The notary witnesses the translator's signature on the certification; a notary never certifies that a translation is accurate. Ask the receiving authority whether they need it, because many do not.
All Services
- Academic Record Authentication
- Certified/Sworn Translation
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) Replacement Request
- DD-214 Request
- DMV Driving Record Request and Apostille
- Embassy Legalization
- Federal Apostille
- Federal Court Document Apostille
- ID Card/Passport Authentication
- National Archives Copies & Certified Records Request
- Naturalization Certificate Replacement & Name Change Request
- New York Universities Academic Record Apostille
- Online Notary Public
- Request a Delaware Corporate Filing
- Retirement & Benefit Verification Letters Request
- Single Status Affidavit Generator and Apostille
- State-Level Apostille
