Whether it is government agencies, colleges or courts, you should expect that they would require a certified translation of your birth certificate. With this, you need certified translators. Before committing, it is important that you ask the following questions to make an informed decision:
What languages do you translate?
At the onset, you need to know the languages that the agency translates. There are agencies that can translate over 50+ languages while there are others that specialise in a few.
You can see the languages that they can translate in their FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) page. If you do not see any, the best thing to do is to look for their customer support contact details. This way, you can email or call their team for clarification.
How long will it take to translate the documents?
Aside from the languages, the next thing that you need to ask is the amount of time the translation will take. This will depend on the language and the agency. For instance, one page (less than 250 words) of Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Russian and Arabic document can take 24 hours.
Two pages (less than 500 words) of the same language will take around 24-29 hours while three to five pages (less than 2000 words) can take 48 hours. If you need to translate six pages, it is better to request a quote.
How do you translate it?
The agency typically employs experienced professional translators globally. This is how to ensure the quality of translation. Aside from the experienced professionals, the agency also invests in technology to securely translate the documents with less delay. These are the answers that you should get.
How much does it cost?
The cost will depend on your requirement. There are other agencies that charge per word – say, $0.10 while there are others that charge per page of 250 words or fewer. If it is per page, the average cost is $25. If the page exceeds 250 words, the charge per page will still apply.
Is there a money back guarantee?
It is important that you ask about the agency’s money back guarantee. It is prudent to pick an agency that offers such. This means that if the translation is not accepted by the USCIS, the agency will refund the money you spent. It should indicate a 100% acceptance to ensure your money’s worth.
Final words
In the end, obtaining a certified translation of your legal documents would significantly reduce the number of potential problems you may experience along the way. While there are many translation agencies you can consider, you should choose the one with high-quality translators. Identifying is easy by reading the reviews.
