Translation Certification and Translation Notarization

When translated foreign-related documents (translations) are submitted to embassies, consulates, industry and commerce bureaus, tax authorities, education departments, marriage registration offices, and other service agencies or units in various countries, it is necessary for the translations to undergo translation certification or even translation notarization to ensure and verify the consistency and completeness of the translated content with the original documents. However, many people are not aware of the differences between translation certification and translation notarization in terms of their roles, applicable document fields, and relevant processing matters, resulting in wasted time, energy, and costs.

Firstly, translation certification, also known as certified translation, refers to the act of a translation agency that is officially registered with China's industrial and commercial administrative authority or possesses qualifications for providing translation services accurately translating the documents entrusted by clients and stamping the printed translations with the agency's official seal. Certified translations are intended to facilitate clients in handling related registration tasks at national agencies. The application scope of translation certification includes company registration audits, studying abroad, court litigation materials, academic credential verification, and all types of documents, proofs, certificates, and identification papers.

Translation notarization involves multiple areas such as studying abroad, visiting relatives, settling down, and job hunting. It refers to the process whereby a notary office provides notarization of both the source documents and translations for the parties involved, issuing relevant notarized documents to prove that the content of the translations is accurate and consistent with the originals. Notarized translations carry the same legal effect as the original texts. Official notary offices in the country possess the capability for foreign language translation and can ensure the authority and universality of notarized materials. To apply for translation notarization, applicants must present original identification materials (individuals provide ID cards; legal entities submit business licenses along with identification for the legal representative and the official seal), documents requiring translation (except for passports, other documents generally need to be notarized by the local notary office and then certified by the Chinese embassy or consulate in that country); if the application is made by someone other than the applicant, a power of attorney and the agent’s identification must also be provided. It is important to note that some countries require an accompanying notarization attesting to the correspondence between the translation and the original text, and may even necessitate a statement in the notarization indicating that the translated document corresponds with the original, while no such statement is needed in notarization intended for use in Italy.

However, not all foreign-related documents require both translation certification and notarization simultaneously. When clients are obtaining translation certification for their documents, it is advisable to clarify whether these documents require additional translation notarization on top of the translation certification, which can save time and costs in processing. Generally speaking, for example, documents like degree certificates, graduation certificates, and transcripts required by students from China studying abroad only need to be translated and certified by qualified authoritative translation agencies without the need for notarization to gain recognition from relevant national departments. Conversely, certain study documents needed for immigration visas must first undergo translation certification, then translation notarization by Chinese notary authorities, and finally be submitted to the corresponding national agencies for registration tasks.

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