Requirements for Certified Translations

According to the USCIS website and the instructions for Form N-400, Application for Naturalization: If you submit a document with information in a foreign language, you must also submit a full English translation. The translator must sign a certification that the English language translation is complete and accurate, and that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.

According to the WES website their requirement for certified translations is as follows: WES requires a full record of all courses of study for a given credential. Translations must also reflect the full record of all courses of study for a given credential. Additionally, WES requires translations that are: Exact, word-for-word. All text in the original language must be accurately translated into English or French. Clear and legible. Our evaluators need to read all translated course titles and grades, as well as information about the institution and the applicant. Completed by a professional translator. This person might be from a university, certified translation agency, or any other professional translation service.

The ATA website mentions the following requirements for a certification statement:

• A statement of the translator's qualifications.
• A statement affirming the completeness and accuracy of the document.
• Identification of the translated document and language.
• The translator's name, signature, and date.
• A translator may also certify someone else's translation—as long as the translator has fully reviewed the translation for accuracy and completeness and the translation will not be changed after being certified. That is why translation companies can certify translations provided by their employees or freelance translators.