Certified Russian translation

Definition of certified Russian translation

Certified Russian translation is a specialized type of Russian translation. Certified Russian translation can be defined as translation provided with a sworn oath generally stating that the translation accurately and fully reflects the source document.  Only translators who are certified and/or registered with a local Court may provide a certified Russian translation. These documents are only considered to be legally binding when submitted to the Court if they are done as certified Russian translation.

In some situations the translation is regarded as certified if a translator provides a certificate on his/her official letterhead. This certificate has a declaration stating that the translation done by the translator accurately and fully reflects the source information as per the knowledge of the translator. This certificate bears a seal from the translation provider. This seal may golden, red, or a hologram.

Another form of certified Russian translation is Russian translation provided along with notarization by a notary public. An oath by the translator is taken, swearing to the accuracy of the translation, in front of a notary public who further notarizes the translated document in order to make it a certified Russian translation.

Another type of certified Russian translation is the translation of certificates with an apostille. Immigration departments in many countries generally require this type of certified Russian translation.

An apostille is a certification granted by a competent government authority to a translated document, so that this document can be used in a foreign country. For example: a naturalization certificate translation is apostilled at the State Secretary’s office of the respective state where it was issued in the United States to be used abroad.  

Certified Russian translators

Russian translators are considered to be certified translators when they are certified and registered with the local Courts. Courts in different areas have distinct procedures for certifying and registering translators.

If a Russian translator wants to provide translation that needs to be legally binding in a Court in Los Angeles, for example, this translator must be certified by the State Judicial Council of California. In order to receive certification from the California State Court, the translator needs to pass a written and oral examination proving his/her proficiency in Russian. After passing the examinations, the translator must complete further formalities in order to finish the certification process. Only then can these certified translators provide legal translation.

Certified Russian translation is generally required in the legal field. Because of this, a client looking for a legal translator should also verify whether or not the translator has sufficient knowledge of the legal terms and regulations used in the type of Court procedure they will be taking part in. Moreover, a translator performing certified Russian translation should maintain the confidentiality of the client and the client should sign a non-disclosure agreement with the translator, which acts as a binding agreement for the translator.

Applications of Certified Russian translation

Certified Russian translators specifically provide certified Russian translations that are required in a Court of Law. In the Courts, the different documents that needs to be translated include, but are not limited to, agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOU), articles of incorporation, corporate by-laws, resolutions, certificates of incumbency, certificates of mergers, wills, adoption deeds, affidavits, power of attorneys, different Court orders / decrees and several other legal documents required by the Courts.

A certified Russian translator can also aid in interpreting the questions and answers exchanged between the Judge and the applicant/victim, who likely has less knowledge of the local language.

Another way in which certified Russian translation is offered is through use of a certificate provided by the translator on an official letterhead with seal. This is applicable when the translation is to be provided to non-government organizations or to a government organization like the Registrar of Companies, as well as under similar circumstances where some type of basic authenticity is sufficient.

Immigration departments, foreign educational institutions, and corporate and customs departments generally require a certified Russian translation done by providing an apostille. Getting certificates such as birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, divorce certificates, divorce decrees, medical immunization documents, police clearance documents and educational certificates translated and further apostilled helps in avoiding the hassles which can arise due to language barriers when in a foreign country. 

Conclusion

Nowadays, when the boundaries between countries are less and less present and pools of talented immigrants are moving to more opportune locations, the need for certified Russian translation can arise in various situations.

Russian immigrants are advised to contract services from professional certified Russian translators well ahead of time in order to have their documents translated into the local languages thus avoiding further inconveniences.

When hiring a certified Russian translator it is good to check his or her knowledge of the subject area and to check the client references for the translator. It is also a plus if the translator is a member of a national level translator association or, at the very least, a recognized local translator association.