What certification really requires, who can sign one, and the fast way to get there.
Translating something else? Browse every document type — certificates, records, statements and transcripts.
“Certified translation” sounds like a special kind of translating. It isn't — it's a normal, complete translation plus a signed statement: the translator attests that the translation is complete and accurate and that they're competent to make it. Understanding that changes how you buy it. The expensive part of a certified translation is the translating; the certification is a review and a signature. Do the first part instantly with Reglyph, and the second part becomes small.
In the United States there is no government license for translators — anyone competent in both languages can certify a translation by signing the statement of accuracy. That's different from many countries in Europe and Latin America, where official documents require a state-appointed sworn translator. “Notarized” is different again: the notary verifies the signer's identity, not the translation's accuracy. Always check which of these your receiving office actually asks for — they are not interchangeable.
The situations people most often bring certified translations to us for — each one keeps the original layout, seals and tables.
A certified translation typically costs $25–40 per page, most of it for the translation itself rather than the signature; rates vary by language and provider. Some translators and agencies also review and certify an existing translation — whether they do, and what they charge, is up to them, so ask. A layout-faithful translation from Reglyph helps either way: you know what the documents say before you order, and you can check the certified version against the original page.
Certified: translator signs a statement of completeness, accuracy and competence — the US standard, required by USCIS. Notarized: a notary confirms who signed, adding identity assurance but saying nothing about quality; some courts and registries want it on top of certification. Sworn (juramentada, assermenté, beglaubigt): a state-appointed translator's stamp, required by many civil-law countries for official use there. A US certified translation is not automatically valid abroad, and vice versa.
A certifying translator signs for completeness — which means checking the translation against the original, field by field. A reflowed wall of text makes that audit slow and expensive; a layout-faithful draft makes it a side-by-side read. That's why starting from a Reglyph draft doesn't just save translation time, it shrinks the review itself.
No — Reglyph produces the complete, layout-faithful translation. The certification statement must be signed by a qualified translator who has reviewed it. Many certified-translation providers review and certify an existing translation — bring them the finished draft.
Any translator competent in both languages — there is no US government license. USCIS accepts a certification signed by the translator; you simply can't certify your own documents' translation in some contexts, so a third-party reviewer is the norm.
Typically $25–40 per page from a translator or agency for a full translation; rates vary by language and provider. Some providers also review and certify an existing translation — whether that applies to your documents, and the price, is up to them.
Every foreign-language document you submit to USCIS needs a certified English translation. Documents you're only reading or preparing — not filing — don't; translate those instantly and certify only what gets submitted.
Simple, scan-friendly pricing. Pages are pages — no multiplier for scanned files.
Translate a few pages. No commitment.
$0.30 a page, from 10 pages — you pay for exactly 10 pages.
For individuals with scans to translate every month.
For high-volume users with scans to translate every week.
Most people asking for a notarized translation don't need one. The ones who do usually need it for a specific office abroad — and the notary never checks the translation.
Read guideThe rule itself is short. The mistakes people make around it — partial translations, missing seals, uncertified machine output — are what generate RFEs.
Read guide