Many of our clients ask us for what they call “certified translations” or “notarized translations”. This type of translation raises some questions.
“What is a notarized translation?” In Portugal, a notarized translation consists of a notarial document (which can be issued by a lawyer) that certifies the identity of the person presenting themselves as the translator. In this act, the translator ensures the fidelity of the translation to the attached original.
Thus, a notarized translation consists of a set of three parts (the order may not always be the same): • The notary’s and translator’s declaration, signed and stamped. • The original, signed and stamped by the translator and notary. • The translation, signed and stamped by the translator and notary. “Are there sworn translators?” In Portugal, there are no sworn translators. The translator must take responsibility for the translation before a notary or a lawyer. This is the service we provide: we deliver the client a translation certified by a notary or lawyer. The service fee includes: translation, certification by a notary or lawyer, and travel expenses. “Should I use a certified photocopy?” The certified translation is attached to the original document presented by the client, with the whole set being signed by the translator and notary, and also stamped by the latter. To avoid “damaging” the original documents, it is advisable to use a certified photocopy as the original for the translation. It is also possible to use a simple photocopy, but the certified translation may then be rejected by the entity that requested it.
“Is a translation certified in Portugal valid for what I need?” Cases are very different from each other, and it is difficult to give a single answer. There are several options here that the client should be aware of, choosing the most suitable for their particular case. In case of doubt, contact the entity that is requesting the document, asking for information about its requirements.
(1) Notarized translation in Portugal. This type of certification is valid in Portugal. It may not be accepted abroad.
(2) Notarized translation in Portugal, with the certification translated into the language of the destination country or into English. The notary’s document can be translated into another language. Not all notaries provide this service.
(3) Notarized translation in Portugal, with a Hague Apostille. The Hague Apostille is requested from the Prosecutor General’s Office and certifies the legality of the notarial document for entities in countries that have signed the Hague Convention. Attention: if the document to be translated is an official document that requires the apostille by itself, it may be necessary to request two apostilles: for the translation and for the original.
(4) Translation certified at the embassy of the destination country. This process is necessary for countries that have not signed the Hague Convention that regulates the Apostille. In some cases, countries require notarization, an intermediate certification at a Chamber of Commerce or the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and also certification at the Embassy (or a combination of these steps). Only by knowing the country and the purpose of the document will it be possible to understand the best way to obtain a suitable certification.
“Can I request a certified translation just to guarantee the quality of the translation?” You should not: the certification says nothing about the quality of the translator or the translation. It only legally certifies the authorship and responsibility for the translation. Furthermore, the translator certifies the fidelity of the translation. However, in certain projects, it is necessary to make adaptations, follow client instructions, etc., and none of this can be done in a certified translation, where fidelity is the only important value (for example, if the original contains a spelling error in a person’s name, that error must be preserved in the translation, which is not the case in other types of translation projects). If you need a notarized certified translation, you can trust Eurologos: we perform this service very frequently. We can: • Certify with a notary or lawyer. • Certify with a notary, with a translated declaration. • Certify at embassies that provide this service. • Request the Hague Apostille on the client’s behalf. (The cost of this service varies depending on the necessary steps.)