𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦: 3 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘴🕒
If you’re submitting translated documents to a government body, university, solicitor or other authority, you’ll likely be asked for either a certified or notarised translation.
They sound similar. and both serve a legal purpose, but they’re not the same thing.
In this blog, we’ll break down the difference between the two, explain when each is required, and help you decide which one fits your needs.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation includes a signed statement from a professional translator or language service provider (LSP) confirming that the translation is:
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Complete
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Accurate
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True to the original
This statement, often referred to as a certificate of accuracy, is usually printed on company letterhead, signed and dated. It may also include details like the translator’s credentials or the LSP’s official status.
At Wolfestone, certified translations also include our stamp, contact details, and ISO credentials, all part of our standard formatting.
When do you need a certified translation?
Certified translations are commonly required for:
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Legal documents
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Immigration documents
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Academic records
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Medical reports
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Official certificates
They’re typically used when you need to prove the translation is accurate and professional, but not necessarily notarised by a legal authority.
What is a notarised translation?
In the case of notarised translation, the translator swears an oath in front of a notary public, confirming the translation is accurate. The notary then officially stamps and signs the declaration.
Important: The notary is not validating the quality of the translation, only that the translator has confirmed it’s accurate.
Notarisation is often needed for international legal processes or when working with overseas institutions that require a legal form of validation.
When is notarisation required?
You may need a notarised translation for:
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Court proceedings abroad
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Power of attorney documents
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Some overseas visa applications
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Documents being submitted to embassies or foreign consulates
If in doubt, check with the receiving authority requirements vary by country and institution.
Certified vs notarised: Key differences
| Type | Certified Translation | Notarised Translation |
|---|
| Signed by | Translator or language service provider, like Wolfestone | Translator in front of a notary public |
| Legal value | Recognised by UK government & institutions | Required by some courts or foreign authorities |
| Used for | Birth certs, academic records, UK visa | Legal powers, overseas processes |
Choosing the right type of official translation is crucial, especially when time, money or legal status is on the line.
If you’re ever unsure, our team is here to help. At Wolfestone, we offer both certified and notarised translations, and we’ll advise you on what’s required based on the country, institution and document type.
Need your translation fast? We also offer express turnaround options and secure digital or hard-copy delivery.
Get in touch for a free consultation, quote or test sample.
𝘒𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 2021 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘨𝘰 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘏𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦, 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴.
