Certified translation FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Certified Translation

by Rusloc (Vadim Zima)

What is Certified Translation?

A major difference between a Certified and a Non-Certified translation is that in a Non-Certified translation, translators are free to use their own personal style and tone, whereas a Certified translation must be an exact translation of the source document. Certified translations of documents prepared by Rusloc LLC  consist of three components:

  • The source document (copy) in the original language.
  • The translated document in the target language.
  • An affidavit signed by the translator and/or a representative of Rusloc LLC, with his or her signature notarized by a Notary Public, attesting that the translator or Rusloc LLC’s representative believes the target language text to be an accurate, complete translation of the original source document text.
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Are you approved by USCIS?

USCIS does not certify or approve individual translators or companies. But I can say that I myself and my company (Rusloc LLC) are approved by USCIS (former INS) and several other government and official agencies all over the US and overseas. Universities, medical centers, financial institutions and state court systems have not had any problems with our translations either.

 

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What is an Apostille? Do I need it?

An Apostille is an authentication of a public document issued pursuant to the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The Convention provides for the simplified certification of public (including notarized) documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. Under the Hague Convention, signatory countries have agreed to recognize public documents issued by other signatory countries if those public documents are authenticated by the attachment of an internationally recognized form of authentication known as an Apostille. The Apostille ensures that public documents issued in one signatory country will be recognized as valid in another signatory country.

You don’t need an apostille, unless you intend to use your documents outside your country. We obtain an apostille for our clients from the former Soviet Union, when they need to send a power of attorney to their relatives back home.

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How much and how long?

Most certified translations of documents consisting of a single page cost from $25 to $50.
Standard delivery is two business days. Expedited delivery (less than 24 hours) for an additional charge are available. We need to see an image of your document to accurately quote on it.
The price includes certification, notary stamp and delivery by USPS First Class mail.

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Do you need original copies of my documents?

No, please do not send us original documents!

You should keep the original. You should only provide us with a clean and legible copy of the original. If you send us an electronic copy of your document, we prefer color images. The handwritten information is easier to read on a color image.

 

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Will my translation be notarized?

We can notarize our certified translations upon request. In most cases, translator’s signature notarization is not required.

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Can I get an email copy of my certified translation?

You will need to submit your certified translation with original signatures, that’s why we normally mail our translations to clients. However, you can have a color PDF copy for a nominal charge of $10.

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Can you accommodate special instructions about the language in the certification of accuracy?

Certainly!  We are aware of the specifics of many schools and agencies and we will prepare your documents to comply with the specifics of the organization to which you will be submitting our translations.

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If you have any other questions about certified translation, feel free to contact me at any time.

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Certified Russian and Ukrainian Translation by native speakers