Whether your document needs a certified translation depends on the receiving authority, not the issuing one. Here's how to figure out if you need one, what "certified" actually means, and where translation fits in the apostille and attestation chain.
What "certified translation" actually means
A certified translation is one accompanied by a signed statement from the translator (or translation company) affirming that the translation is a true and accurate rendering of the original. The statement is usually notarized. Standards vary by receiving authority.
When you typically need one
- USCIS filings where supporting documents are not in English (birth, marriage, divorce records).
- Embassy or consular filings where the receiving country's official language is not English.
- Foreign court filings, property registrations, or school admissions.
Where translation fits in the chain
Translation typically happens after the original document is notarized but before apostille or consular attestation. The translator's certificate is often what gets apostilled, not the underlying source document, depending on receiving country rules.
What NTX Apostille does and doesn't do
We do not perform translations. We coordinate the notarization and apostille or attestation steps, and we can refer you to certified translation partners for the translation portion. We can also notarize the translator's certificate of accuracy.
Need help routing the full chain?
We coordinate notarization, translation handoff, and apostille or consular attestation as a single workflow.
Request a quote →Educational content only. Not legal advice. Translation requirements vary by receiving country and authority; we will confirm current requirements before submission.