Order forms often use “certified” and “notarized” as if they were the same thing. They aren't. A certified translation comes with a signed statement from the translator that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate the language. A notarized translation adds a notary public, who confirms who signed that statement - not whether the translation is any good.
What a certification proves
The certification is the translator's own signed assertion about their work: that nothing was left out, that the English says what the original says, and that they know both languages well enough to make that claim. For USCIS it is the whole requirement. 8 CFR § 103.2(b)(3) asks for a full English translation and the translator's certification that it is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English. Nothing in it mentions a notary.
What a notarization proves
A notary public checks the signer's identity, watches them sign - in person, or over a recorded video session where remote online notarization is allowed - and applies a seal. The notary doesn't read the translation, doesn't need to know the language, and doesn't vouch for its accuracy. What the seal adds is proof that the person named on the certification really signed it.
Who asks for which
- USCIS: a certified translation. Notarization is not required.
- Immigration court (EOIR): a certified translation, with the translator's statement that they are competent and that the translation is accurate. Notarization is not required.
- State courts and state agencies: rules vary by state and by court. Some want a notarized affidavit of accuracy, so check the filing instructions or ask the clerk.
- Universities and credential evaluators: usually a certified translation. Check the evaluator's document requirements for how it must be sent.
- Foreign consulates and documents going abroad: often notarization, and sometimes an apostille on top of it.
- DMVs, schools and employers: usually a certified translation; a few ask for notarization.
Notarization and apostilles
If a translation is going to a country that belongs to the Hague Apostille Convention, the authority there may want an apostille. In the US an apostille is issued by a state Secretary of State (or the US Department of State for federal documents), and it authenticates an official's signature or seal. On a translation, that is usually the notary's - which is why translations headed abroad are notarized first. Our guide to apostilles and certified translation covers the order to do things in.
How to avoid paying twice
- Read the receiving office's instructions for the words “certified” and “notarized”. They mean what they say.
- If you're filing only with USCIS, skip notarization.
- If the same translation is going to USCIS and to a state court or a consulate, order the notarized copy at the same time rather than coming back for it.
- If an office wants a paper original, check whether it accepts an electronically notarized document, or whether it needs a mailed copy with a wet-ink signature.
How Verdacert handles it
Every Verdacert translation is certified: the reviewer who certifies it signs the statement by name, and the certificate carries a QR code and link anyone can use to check it. Notarization is an add-on at checkout. A Verdacert officer swears to the translation's accuracy in an affidavit, a commissioned US notary notarizes it over a recorded video session, and you receive the notarized PDF, usually within three business days of the certified PDF. One price covers every document on the order.