What determines the notary's translation certification fee?

Two separate items: translation fee and notarial fee

Payment for a notarised translation consists of two items: the translation fee paid to the agency and the certification fee paid to the notary. The notary calculates and collects the fee according to the notarial fee schedule; the agency has no authority to set this amount.

Asking for the two items to be stated separately when obtaining a quotation allows a sound comparison.

Factors determining the notarial fee

• Number of pages and copies — each additional copy carries a separate fee
• The nature of the document and the applicable item in the fee schedule
• Fee schedule items such as typing and comparison charges
• Periodic updates to the schedule — notarial fees are revised at specified intervals

The exact amount is calculated from the schedule when the document is presented to the notary. Figures given in advance are therefore estimates.

Practical decisions that reduce costs

• Avoiding notarisation when the institution accepts a sworn translator's stamp — the biggest saving
• Clarifying the required number of copies at the outset; an additional copy requested later requires a new procedure
• Identifying which documents in a multi-document file require certification
• Processing the documents together; separate visits generate repeated charges

Our transparency principle

We always show the translation fee and notarial fee separately. Where we handle the notarial process, the amount paid to the notary is documented with a receipt and passed on to you.

A firm notarial fee can be given only once the documents and number of copies are clear; we recommend treating any contrary firm promises cautiously.

Frequently asked questions