How much does a certified translation cost?
The cost of certification for all documents is £13.50 per document. In addition, there are the costs for the translation per word. If only a few pages are to be certified by a sworn translator, there is a charge of £6 per page.
Certified translations by sworn translators
In many cases, a sworn translator is required in addition to the translation. A certified translation is an official document that can be presented to domestic and foreign authorities as well as in court. The sworn translator affixes their stamp, signature and a certification note to the translation, thereby confirming the accuracy and completeness of the translation and is thus liable for the content of the certified translation. Due to the thematic diversity, certified translations are needed for different purposes and by different target groups. Private individuals require certified translations if graduation certificates, driving licences or medical reports need to be translated, for example. Corporate clients require extracts from the commercial register, annual reports or financial statements to be translated.
Only sworn translators can issue certified translations
Not all translators are allowed to certify translations. This requires approval from the competent district court. For this purpose, personal suitability as well as the required expertise must be proven beforehand. This ensures that the sworn translator can correctly translate the content into the target language. This is very important because the sworn translator takes legal responsibility for the translation and testifies that the document has been completely and correctly translated into the target language. By the way: the words “sworn translator” and “state-approved translator” are to be understood synonymously. They prepare the certified translation.
File formats for certified translations
Often there is no editable file for documents requiring a certified translation. The reason for this is that certificates, extracts from the commercial register and similar official documents are usually sent by post by the issuing authority. They are only available in written form and not in electronic text form. That is why certified translations are often made from scanned documents. In general, all file formats can be used for certified translations and sworn linguists know how to deal with non-editable scans and PDF files. Nevertheless, there are some tips you can keep in mind when it comes to file formats for certified translations: Make sure that the resolution of your documents is as good as possible – it should be at least 150 dpi. You’ll make things easier for the sworn translator if your texts are legible. Also, make sure that your documents are complete; the letterhead and footer are also important information for certified translations. Send the documents in colour and not in black and white, or use a scanner if possible and do not photograph the documents. If you don’t have a scanner to hand, pay special attention to the quality when taking photos and make sure that the entire document is visible. If you are looking for more detailed information on the topic of file formats for translation, our encyclopaedia article on this topic will help you: File formats.