How to recognize the type of certification you need.

Did you know that not all translations are treated equal? There is a whole myriad of different types of certifications depending on how the document is being used and what entity it is being submitted too. Here locally in Lee County, I have had multiple clients who come in needing a diploma translated for a job in the school district (among others) some need one type of certification and others don’t.

To every person who comes into my office I give them the following spiel. When it come to the translation of school records and diplomas basically there are two types of certifications. There is a credential certification, which is basically a certification that the person translating is competent, and it is a true and faithful translation of the original text. There is also an ATA Certification, which is a certification through the American Translators Association. The ATA certification is one of the hardest certifications to achieve as a translator and very few have it.

In many cases not only do you need your school records or diploma translated (from one language to another), but you also need to have it evaluated. An evaluation, in some words, means that it gives your document weight. An evaluation will provide documentation of what the equivalent of that study is in the target language (or the language you are translating it to). It is a completely separate process than the initial translation BUT an ATA translation is required. An evaluation cannot be done with a credential certification. Are you dizzy yet?

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