I Need a Notarised or Legalised Translation for Abroad, but I Don’t Know How to Do It

12 Oct I Need a Notarised or Legalised Translation for Abroad, but I Don’t Know How to Do It

Introduction to the Issue:
Notarised and legalised translations are a crucial step for anyone who needs to present official documents abroad. These processes are often confusing, and many people struggle to distinguish between a certified, notarised, or legalised translation, leading to unnecessary delays and wasted time. With globalisation, more and more people find themselves needing to translate and authenticate official documents, such as contracts, birth certificates, or degrees, to make them valid and usable internationally.

Technical Description:
The difference between certified, notarised, and legalised translations is fundamental to ensure that a translated document is accepted by foreign authorities.

• Certified translation: This includes a statement from the translator or translation agency confirming that the translation is faithful to the original.
• Notarised translation: The translation is presented before a notary, who certifies the translator’s signature, not the accuracy of the translation. Note: the notary must be registered with the Foreign Office, otherwise, their certification cannot be legalised.
• Legalised translation: This requires the document to be authenticated by a legal authority, such as a court or consulate, to make it valid for use abroad.

It is essential to understand that procedures can vary from country to country. For example, in the UK, notarisation is essential in order to legalise a translation. Unlike the legalisation of a British document, a translation necessarily requires notarisation. After this, the notarised translation is legalised through an apostille by the Foreign Office or the Italian Consulate. These are two separate procedures, but generally, legalisation is necessary to make a document or translation valid for use abroad.
In Italy, on the other hand, the procedures differ. Here, the translation is sworn in court and then legalised at the Prefecture or other competent authorities.
Each country and institution may require a specific type of translation, so it is crucial to know in advance which one is needed to avoid document rejection.

Specific Solutions Provided by Words at Hand:
Words at Hand offers a comprehensive, tailored service for notarised and legalised translations. We collaborate with accredited notaries and official institutions to ensure that your documents are ready for international use. We are experts in:

• Obtaining certified translations (from and into various languages, such as Portuguese or English)
• Obtaining notarisation for translated documents for the purpose of legalisation
• Legalising documents at the Foreign Office or the Italian Consulate
• Providing consultation on international regulations related to document legalisation for specific countries.

Case Studies:

• Case 1: A client needed to translate and legalise a birth certificate to be submitted to the Italian Consulate in London. After submitting an unlegalised document, it was rejected. We took over the case, performed a new legalisation and translation. The document was accepted, and the birth was registered.
• Case 2: A client needed a legalised translation of her degree certificate to work in Italy. After receiving the translation, we handled the entire notarisation and legalisation process to ensure the document complied with regulations.

Conclusion:
If you need a notarised or legalised translation, Words at Hand is the perfect solution for you. With our full service and collaboration with notaries and international authorities, we ensure that your documents are valid for use abroad, saving you time and hassle. Contact us today for a personalised consultation!