Certified vs. Standard Translation: Which Do You Need?
Choose a certified translation when an institution — a court, university, or immigration authority — must officially rely on the document; choose a standard translation for information, business, or internal use. In short: if a third party needs to trust the translation formally, it must be certified. Otherwise, a standard translation is faster and perfectly sufficient.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is a complete, accurate translation accompanied by a signed statement of accuracy from the translator or agency. That certificate is what allows courts, universities and government bodies to accept the translated document as a faithful representation of the original.
What is a standard translation?
A standard translation is an accurate, professional translation without the accompanying certificate. It's the right choice for business documents, websites, marketing material and any content that won't be submitted to an official body.
When you need a certified translation
- Immigration and visa applications
- Court filings and legal proceedings
- University admissions and credential evaluation
- Official records such as birth, marriage and death certificates
When a standard translation is enough
- Internal business documents and correspondence
- Websites, marketing and product content
- Reference material and general information
Still unsure?
When in doubt, ask the organization requesting your document whether they require certification. If they do, or you're not sure, Lidon can provide a certified translation so your document is accepted the first time.