Listen to this page
Press play to listen.
The recording could not be played. Please try again later.
Where does the process begin?
A notarised translation starts not with the translation itself, but with establishing which institution will receive the document, in which country, and for what purpose. The necessary certification cannot be determined until these three points are clear.
One institution may accept the same document with a sworn translator's stamp, another may require notarisation, and a third may require an apostille on the notarisation. The first step is therefore to obtain the current document checklist from the institution you are applying to.
Step 1 — Reviewing the document
When we receive the document, we first check its legibility. All seals, stamps, handwritten sections, and any endorsements on the reverse must be visible; these elements are also reproduced in the translation.
After review, the price is calculated according to the character count and the delivery date is determined with the language pair and the notary's workload in mind. Both are then communicated to you.
Step 2 — Translation
The translation is prepared by a sworn translator for the relevant language. The layout of official documents is retained: headings, tables, and descriptions of seals and signatures follow the order of the source document.
Names, dates, figures, and numbers are compared with the source document in a separate checking stage. A difference of even one character in these details can cause the institution to return the document.
Step 3 — Translator's certification
Once the translation is complete, the translator adds a statement confirming that the text corresponds to the source document, then stamps and signs it. At this stage, the document is a "sworn translation".
Step 4 — Notarial certification
The notary verifies the translator's oath registration. Once the requirements are satisfied, the translation and source document are attached together, sealed, and endorsed with a certification statement. The document then becomes a notarised translation.
The notarial fee is separate from the translation fee and is determined and collected directly by the notary.
Step 5 — Apostille, if required
If the document will be used abroad, an apostille on the notarisation is required in most cases. Since notarisation is an administrative act, this apostille is obtained from the governor's office or district governor's office. You must apply for the apostille to the relevant authority; our agency does not provide apostille application or procedure follow-up services.
No fee is charged for an apostille issued by a governor's office or district governor's office.
Step 6 — Delivery
You can collect your document in person from our office or have it sent by courier. Notarised documents are issued as physical copies and therefore cannot be delivered by email.
How long the process takes
Translation of a short, single-page document may be completed on the same day; the notarial stage depends on the notary's workload. Multi-page files such as course descriptions can take several days.
An unrealistic delivery commitment can ultimately delay your application. We therefore provide a timeframe after reviewing the document.
Frequently asked questions
Is the original document required for notarisation?
The notary may require the original document or a certified copy to be presented. We inform you of this at the outset.
Can I have the translation prepared elsewhere and bring it to you only for notarisation?
A notary certifies only translations prepared by a translator whose oath is registered with that notary. The translation must therefore have been prepared by a translator registered with the relevant notary.
Does a notarised translation expire?
No general validity period is specified for the certification itself. However, the institution requesting the document may require it to have been issued after a particular date.
This content is for information purposes. The documents and procedures required by institutions may change; we recommend confirming the requirements with the relevant institution before applying.
