Table of Contents
- 1 What is legal document translation?
- 2 What legal documents can be translated?
- 3 How to translate legal documents?
- 4 Documents that require certified translation
- 5 The importance of accuracy in legal translation
- 6 Consequences of errors in translation
- 7 The process of official translation of legal documents
- 8 Where can I find a certified translator?
Translation of legal documents is essential for facilitating international trade and corporate relationships, and for personal matters that cross national borders. Translating legal documents can seem daunting because accuracy is so important. And the stakes are high. A minor error in this task can lead to significant misunderstandings, contractual disputes, and even adverse legal consequences.
Considering the importance of this service, we have decided to write this post to review everything related to certified translations of this type. Where should we start?
What is legal document translation?
An official translation or legal document translation is a translation signed and sealed by a certified translator. Official documents written in a foreign language are typically required to be translated into the language of the country where they are to be submitted for legal validity before government agencies.
An official translation of a legal document is sealed and signed by a sworn translator, and it holds official status with the authorities.
What legal documents can be translated?
In general, any legal document can be translated. This includes academic documents, civil registry documents, notarial documents, and other relevant documents. Professional translators are trained to handle these texts, always adhering to professional guidelines that prevent the certification of translations of fraudulent documents.
How to translate legal documents?
To translate legal documents, you need an official translator. Typically, this is a sworn translator. A sworn translator has obtained the necessary certification to perform sworn translations, also known as official translations. Each country operates differently.
In the case of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Ministry of Justice is responsible for regulating the number of sworn translators and their language proficiency.
By taking and passing the exam, you earn certification as a sworn translator and interpreter in the language combination you selected for the exam. If you wish to provide sworn translations in two different combinations, you must pass the exam in each language.
Translation of official documents is required to ensure that the transcript is faithful and accurate to the original document and can therefore only be interpreted by an official sworn translator approved by the UAE Ministry of Justice.
Documents that require certified translation
To understand what legal document translation is, we need to ask ourselves which texts would require this type of work and under what circumstances. It is not always necessary to have a certified translator’s signature.
But let’s look at a short list of writings that may require a legal signature:
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates: Whether we want to get married abroad, collect an inheritance from a relative living in another country, or have a child in the country we are moving to, a certified professional must translate these certificates.
- Medical records: If our illness cannot be treated in our country and we find a hospital in another country where treatment is possible, then our complete medical record needs to be in the target language. However, a simple translation is not enough. In this case, it is imperative that it is legally valid in the destination country.
- Transcript: When we want to study abroad or seek employment opportunities, we will be asked to submit our academic certificates. These must be signed to ensure that the original and the translation are identical.
- Criminal record: This type of documentation is common when applying for jobs abroad. And yes, since it is a legal document, a certified translator is required to certify it in another language.
- Financial reports: For example, for entrepreneurs interested in investing in international companies or expanding their brand, they must present all company information in the target language. Logically, suppose we want to make a purchase or sale. In that case, all this information must be legally valid, and therefore, a certified translation is required.
As we have seen, the list is extensive, and we have likely overlooked many cases. However, it provides a reasonable basis for understanding how we work with these types of documents.
The importance of accuracy in legal translation
Good translation work requires accuracy, regardless of the type of content being worked with. However, when it comes to translating legal documents, we need to be more specific.
In this case, fidelity to the original writing is not only a matter of professional ethics but also a legal requirement. After all, we are talking about documents that are necessary when applying for a job abroad (such as a criminal record check), in the international adoption process (even when adopting a pet), or when expanding our business into another country.
Consequences of errors in translation
A poorly performed task can have the following consequences:
- Contractual disputes: A poorly translated word can change the meaning of a contract, leading to conflicting interpretations between the parties involved. This can lead to costly and protracted legal disputes.
- Legal implications: In documents such as informed consent forms, wills, and immigration documents, translation errors can have a direct impact on an individual’s rights and obligations.
- Damage to reputation: For businesses, poor-quality translations of legal documents can negatively impact their reputation, jeopardizing business relationships and customer trust.
The process of official translation of legal documents
The following process is followed when making an official translation of any official document:
- Analysis and Documentation: Read and understand the legal document, researching specific terminology and phrases.
- Translation and adaptation: Use appropriate techniques, paying attention to cultural adaptation and textual consistency.
- Review and correction: Check the translation to avoid errors and ensure accuracy.
- Certification for certified translations: If necessary, sign and seal the translated document as proof of fidelity to the original.
Where can I find a certified translator?
The internet is the most common answer, where you can find certified translators. The UAE Ministry of Justice maintains a long list of them. However, you may encounter the problem that many of them are no longer practicing their profession or have changed their address or contact information.
You can also contact Thiqa Legal Translation & Services, where we will be happy to assist you. You can also find us online or in person. Many companies offer certified translation services in all languages, with a staff of local certified translators.
In short, legal documents are those documents that are signed by a competent authority, such as a lawyer, notary, or judge. This authority must have a university degree in law. If you need professional services for translation, you can seek the help of certified translators. The Ministry of Justice recognizes them and therefore has the official title and right to make such translations.