A translator translates documents, while an interpreter provides live translation. A certified translator has received certification from a government agency, court, or accrediting organization. In the US, a certified translation does not necessarily need to be prepared by a certified translator. Certified translators may specialize in legal translation and handle documents such as birth certificates, immigration documents, and legal agreements.
A translator is someone who translates a document from one language to another. A translator is distinguished from an interpreter by providing live translation of spoken language. A certified translator is one who has received certification from the government agency, court or accrediting organization in their country, usually a member of the International Federation of Translators (International Federation of Translators) or who has received it from an educational institution.
In the United States, it is essential to distinguish between a certified translator and a certified translation. Generally, in the United States, a certified translation is a translation that meets certain criteria but does not need to be prepared by a certified translator, with the exception of documents used in court proceedings in at least some jurisdictions. The criteria for a certified translation are the inclusion of three items: the source document or a copy of it in the original language; the translation; a signed and notarized affidavit attesting that the signatory – translator or translation company – believes that the translation is an accurate and complete rendering of the original. In other countries, however, a certified translation is a translation done by a certified translator.
A certified translator usually passes an exam and also receives education (formal or otherwise) to earn certification. This is not necessarily the end of the certification process. At least for some certification bodies, continuing education is required to maintain certification. In some places, specialization is possible, so you can find certified legal translators, for example.
There are certain types of documents for which a certified translation and therefore a certified translator is required. Many of these are documents that have legal significance. Examples of documents for which a certified translator is often required include birth certificates, adoption documents, immigration documents, licenses and permits, marriage and driver’s licenses, school and college transcripts, and diplomas and medical records. Other documents certified translators can handle include patents, contracts, business agreements, depositions, court orders, depositions, divorce decrees, wills, etc. Certified legal translators can specialize in one or more areas of legal translation and focus on specific document types.
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