A stamp of trust
Planning to study or work abroad? Getting married and starting a family far away from home? Life takes many of our clients to other parts of the world, which leads to bureaucracy in private and professional matters. In order to be accepted as proof, foreign language documents must be provided as a certified translation.
IMASoL offers its clients certified translations that have international validity. We use sworn or authorized translators from different countries. IMASoL is also at your disposal for legalizations and apostilles in the respective countries if required.
Who needs a certified translation and for what purpose?
Private persons need certified translations for:
- Translations of civil status documents such as birth certificates, registration certificates, certificates of no impediment to marriage, marriage certificates and more
- Certificates of good conduct, court decisions, divorce decrees
- School and university certificates for applications to universities or for jobs abroad
- Work certificates from previous employers and comparable documents
Companies need certified translations for:
- Translations of extracts from the commercial register for business ventures abroad
- Partnership agreements for opening bank accounts and other matters
- Proof, applications and other documents relating to participation in international tenders
Ordering a certified translation
When customers contact IMASoL, they usually ask questions such as: What is the difference between certified translations and normal translations and what kind of translators are allowed to provide them? How can I make sure that these translators are really authorized to do so? How long does it take and last but not least: How much do certified translations cost?
Certified translations vs. normal translations
Certified translations are carried out by professionals whose qualifications and personal suitability have been verified and who have taken an oath at a state institution, such as a regional court in Germany or at a ministry like in Spain. For their translations, they confirm the completeness and accuracy of the work with their signature and a specially prepared and registered stamp.
Why is a normal translation not enough?
Anyone can be a translator. Anyone who claims to speak a foreign language can call himself a translator, because anyone who thinks he is capable of doing so can write texts in another language. But how can a customer tell if the translations provided comply with the highest standards?
In the free market, this is done by companies using proven language service providers who are subject to common standards, or translators with proven references, university degrees and professional experience. For government institutions, it is also important to be able to choose from a group of language professionals that were tested according to the criteria necessary for the job in official areas such as courts, institutional certifications and others. The people who fulfill these criteria will be admitted to a publicly accessible list that courts, city halls, registery, notaries and so on turn to whenever foreign matters are on the agenda.
How do I find professional translators who offer certified translations?
Authorized or sworn translators on official lists
An important contact point for people looking for sworn translators or authorized is the website for judicial translators and interpreters, which is valid throughout Germany. Here you can use the search function to find linguists for your desired language combination and contact them using the data provided.
For Spain, if you are looking for sworn translators, please visit the website of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In France you will find different lists depending on the location on the website of a higher court:
Advantage of these lists: These lists offer the advantage that customers can search for translators for their documents according to place of residence and languages and can contact them directly.
Disadvantage: Experience has shown that those lists show a large number of specialist translators, many of whom work intensively at courts and can only devote themselves to one-time clients to a limited extent.
If you need help or at least a reply quickly, you can go to one of the many large offices that offer certified translations at relatively high prices with long delivery times.
IMASoL has been working for years with selected professionals who are represented on one or more of the above-mentioned lists. Thanks to a streamlined workflow, IMASoL can guarantee you fast processing at reasonable prices.
Legalisation and Hague Apostille for your documents
If you need a Hague Apostille or a legalisation for the certification of your translation, please indicate this on the request form. Remember to indicate the country for which you would like to use the translation.
What does a certified translation cost?
Most customers think that the prices for certified translations must be very high, as they are expert services. However, with well-organised language service providers such as IMASoL, who work with well-prepared templates and very experienced translators, prices start at around 30 € net per A4 page, depending on the amount of text. Surprises in terms of costs for simple administrative acts are thus excluded. Contact IMASoL and you will quickly receive a detailed offer for your certified translations.
Please do not forget to always tell us the exact conditions that require you to submit a certified translation.
