What you receive
The translated document, laid out to match the original as closely as the format allows, and a signed certificate of translation accuracy that names the document, the languages and the date.
Most institutions that ask for a translation are asking for exactly that pair. Check what yours requires before ordering, because requirements differ and a wasted translation is an avoidable cost.
Translation and notarization are two different things
This is where people get caught out, so let me be exact. Translating a document is not a notarial act. A Notary Public cannot certify that a translation is accurate, in Florida or anywhere else in the United States.
What can be notarized is a signature on the certificate of accuracy. And since a notary may not notarize their own signature, when the receiving office wants that certificate notarized, a second notary handles it. I will tell you when that applies and help you arrange it.
Documents I translate
- Birth, marriage and death certificates.
- Academic records, diplomas and transcripts.
- Powers of attorney, affidavits and sworn statements.
- Contracts, leases and business documents.
- Letters and declarations addressed to foreign offices.
When the document is going abroad
Some countries want the original apostilled and then translated. Others want the translation attached before the apostille. Getting the order wrong means starting over, so tell me the destination and what they asked for, and we plan the sequence before anything is filed.
Bilingual from start to finish
You can send documents, ask questions and get the finished work explained in Spanish or in English, whichever you prefer. The same person handles the translation, the notarization of related documents and the apostille guidance, so nothing gets lost between providers.
Frequently asked questions
- Is this a certified translation?
- It is a translation delivered with a signed certificate of accuracy, which is what most institutions mean by a certified translation in the United States. Ask the receiving office what wording they require and I will match it.
- Can you notarize your own translation certificate?
- No. A notary cannot notarize their own signature. When the certificate must be notarized, a second notary does it, and I will help you arrange that.
- How long does it take?
- Short documents such as a certificate or a one-page letter are usually ready within a day or two. Longer files depend on length and format.
- Do you translate into languages other than Spanish?
- No. I work between English and Spanish only.
- Will my document need an apostille too?
- If it is going to another country, very likely. Tell me the destination and I will explain which order the steps go in.