The 11 most asked questions about translation
Find the answers for everything you always wanted to know about free translations, certified translations and the Hague Apostille Convention
- What is the difference between translation and version?
In Brazil, we define translation as a document that is translated from a foreign language into Portuguese while version concerns the texts that are replicated from Portuguese into a foreign language.
- What is the difference between free translation and certified translation?
Free or simple translation is used for any situation in which there are no legal requirements (such as the translation of books, presentations, CVs/Resumés and texts in general). The certified translation is an official document, generally required for presentation in court and public bodies (in the case of school transcripts and diplomas for exchanges and documentation for foreign citizenship, for example).
This type of translation is produced, presented in print and signed on the headed paper of each translator duly appointed and authorized by the Junta Comercial (Board of Trade) of each state according to the residence and service of the public translator, also known as certified translator.
- Is the certified translation valid throughout the national territory?
Yes. The certified translation of foreign languages is valid throughout national territory.
- Is the certified translation into foreign languages accepted in any country?
In most countries, it is. Especially in countries that are part of The Hague Convention, but it is important to check whether the documents have been issued and have been legalized in accordance with the requirements of acceptance of the countries of destination.
For example, some countries have in their visa or citizenship processes a requirement that certificates have an updated issue date or are entirely translated – this type of certificate contains all the records that were made during a person’s life, such as marriage, divorce, and death.
Some countries have specific requirements, such as Australia, for example, that in some cases requires the translation to be made by a Naati (National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) translator, or Spain, which requests that a certified Spanish translator perform the certified translation.
For these and other cases, Global counts on qualified translators in its team to issue these translations.
- To obtain a certified translation is it necessary to submit the original document?
It depends. The certified translation is always somehow connected to its original by a stamp, initials or notes made by the certified translator. The requirement of presenting the original document, certified copy or simple copy depends on the body where this translation will be presented. When in doubt, supply the original document at the time of the translation.
- Can I remove the tapes or seals from the original documents for it to be scanned?
No. Official documents must not be violated or tampered with, since they are legalized in this way to prove their authenticity.
- Is it possible to inform the price and deadline for the completion of a certified translation without submitting the documents to be translated?
In general, no, since the value and the deadlines vary depending on the volume, specificity and quality of print of the documents or files received.
- Is there certified translation from Portuguese from Portugal to Portuguese from Brazil (and vice versa)?
The Portuguese spoken in Portugal is recognized in Brazil and vice-versa (see Decree no. 6,853), but in some cases there is a demand for the “adaptation” of these texts. In this case, Global Translations.BR offers the proofreading of the text, adaptation to the Brazilian or Portuguese form of writing and the delivery of the translation in electronic file or, whenever necessary, on headed paper of the company, signed by its executive partner, Virginia Randmer, translator and Brazilian and Portuguese citizen.
- What is the Hague Apostille Convention?
The apostille of a document is a certificate, formalized by a seal or stamp, affixed to a document in order to certify its origin to which it has validity in countries that are part of the Hague Convention. This facilitates the acceptance of Brazilian documents abroad and foreign documents in Brazil, since they have a mutual recognition. Check here If your document originates from or will be sent to a country that forms part of the Hague Convention.
- Should the apostille be done before or after the certified translation?
The apostille of the originals in Portuguese can be done before or after the translation into the foreign language, but, in general, it is done later, since both the original and the certified translation must undergo the apostille process. It is important to mention that, for the apostille, the notary will require the original document and the certified translation to be notarized.
In the case of documents received from signatory countries of the Hague Convention for use in Brazil, these should come already with the apostille from abroad. The documents coming from countries, which are not signatories to the Convention and do not have bilateral agreements with Brazil, need to be authenticated by a public notary abroad and by the Brazilian Consulate. For non-signatory countries of the Convention, but with bilateral agreements with Brazil, the consularization is exempt and only the legalization is required by a notary public in the country of origin.
- If the apostille already has the language into which I am translating, do I need to record this information on the certified translation?
Yes. In these cases, it is necessary to include the mention and numbering of the apostille in the certified translation, as well as the remainder of the text contained in this document.