Does Your Document Need Translating?
Translation matrix
Does Your Document Need Translating?
The expensive mistake is not skipping the translation. It is paying for one in the United States when the destination only accepts a translation done in its own country, by a translator its courts or ministry recognise. This sets out, for every destination that still requires legalisation, whether translation is needed, into what, by whom and at which point in the chain.
- Destinations covered
- 25
- Usually need one
- 11
- Sometimes
- 11
- Normally do not
- 3
The rule that saves the money
Translate after legalisation, in the destination country, unless you are told otherwise. A translation attached before the chain runs is usually not what the receiving authority wants, and the fee is not recoverable.
Why in-country
Most civil-law countries maintain a register of sworn or court-appointed translators whose signature has legal effect. A U.S. certified translation, however good, carries no such standing there.
When a U.S. translation is right
When the receiving authority says so explicitly, or when the document is being submitted to a U.S.-based consulate that requires the translation to accompany the application. Ask first, in writing where you can.
The full matrix
| Destination | Translation | Language | Done where | By whom | Legalise the translation? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | Sometimes required | Dari or Pashto | In the destination country | Depends on the receiving authority | Sometimes |
| Cambodia | Sometimes required | Khmer | In the destination country | Depends on the receiving authority | Sometimes |
| Cuba | Usually required | Spanish | In the destination country | A translator accepted by Cuban authorities | Yes |
| Egypt | Usually required | Arabic | In the destination country | A translator approved inside Egypt | Yes |
| Ethiopia | Sometimes required | Amharic | In the destination country | Depends on the receiving authority | Sometimes |
| Ghana | Not normally required | English | Not applicable | English is the official language; translation is not normally needed | Not normally required |
| Haiti | Sometimes required | French | In the destination country | Depends on the receiving authority | Sometimes |
| Iran | Usually required | Persian (Farsi) | In the destination country | A sworn translator inside Iran | Yes |
| Iraq | Usually required | Arabic | In the destination country | May need additional verification inside Iraq | Yes |
| Jordan | Usually required | Arabic | In the destination country | Sometimes a translator registered in Jordan | Sometimes |
| Kenya | Not normally required | English | Not applicable | English-language U.S. documents are normally accepted | Not normally required |
| Kuwait | Usually required | Arabic | In the destination country | Often a translator registered in Kuwait | Yes |
| Laos | Sometimes required | Lao | In the destination country | Depends on the receiving authority | Sometimes |
| Lebanon | Sometimes required | Arabic | In the destination country | Depends on the Lebanese receiving authority | Sometimes |
| Myanmar | Sometimes required | Burmese | In the destination country | Depends on the receiving authority | Sometimes |
| Nepal | Sometimes required | Nepali | In the destination country | Depends on the receiving authority | Sometimes |
| Nigeria | Not normally required | English | Not applicable | English is an official language; translation is not normally needed | Not normally required |
| Qatar | Usually required | Arabic | In the destination country | A translator accepted by Qatari government offices | Yes |
| Sri Lanka | Sometimes required | Sinhala or Tamil | In the destination country | Depends on the receiving authority | Sometimes |
| Syria | Sometimes required | Arabic | In the destination country | Confirm with the receiving authority | Sometimes |
| Taiwan | Sometimes required | Traditional Chinese | Either country | Depends on document type | Sometimes |
| Thailand | Usually required | Thai | In the destination country | A translator in Thailand | Yes |
| Vietnam | Usually required | Vietnamese | In the destination country | A sworn translator in Vietnam | Yes |
| Yemen | Usually required | Arabic | In the destination country | A translator accepted by Yemeni authorities | Sometimes |
| United Arab Emirates | Usually required | Arabic | In the destination country | A legal translator registered with the UAE Ministry of Justice | Yes |
Compiled from each mission’s guidance and from what receiving authorities actually ask for. Individual offices vary, so confirm with whoever will receive the document before commissioning any translation.
Certified translation, or honest advice not to buy one
Where a destination needs an in-country sworn translator we will say so rather than sell you a translation that will be refused.
Questions people actually ask
Should I translate before or after legalisation?
Almost always after. Most destinations want the translation done in their own country by a translator their ministry or courts recognise, and a translation produced in the United States first is frequently rejected, which means paying for it twice.
Does the translation itself need legalising?
Often yes. Where the translation is produced in the destination country it is usually certified there rather than run back through the U.S. chain. Where it is produced in the United States it generally has to travel through the same chain as the original document.
My document is in English and the country uses English. Do I need anything?
Usually not. Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya normally accept English-language U.S. documents as they are. Confirm with the receiving office, since individual authorities occasionally ask for a local certification anyway.
What is a sworn translator and why does it matter?
In many civil-law countries a translator is appointed by a court or a ministry and their signature carries legal weight. The United States has no equivalent, which is why a U.S. certified translation is often not accepted abroad and the work has to be redone locally.
Can you do the translation for me?
We provide certified translation, and where a destination requires an in-country sworn translator we will tell you so rather than sell you something that will be rejected. Knowing that before you pay is the point of this page.
This guide is published by a private document processing service. It is not legal advice and we are not a government agency. Requirements change without notice, so confirm anything critical with the mission before you post documents.
