Notarized vs certified translation, what is the difference?
Notarized vs certified translation is the choice that confuses almost everyone, so here is the short answer: USCIS wants a certified translation, and notarization is not required. The two prove different things, and only one of them is about the translation itself.
What a certified translation is
A certified translation is the complete translation of the document plus a signed Certificate of Accuracy: a statement from the translator that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate. It speaks to the quality of the translation, which is exactly what 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) asks for and what the USCIS officer reads.
What notarization actually adds
A notarized translation is just a certified translation whose signature was witnessed by a notary. The notary confirms the identity of the person signing. In Brazilian terms it is close to reconhecer firma em cartório: it proves who signed the paper and says nothing about how good the translation is.
| Certified translation | Notarized translation | |
|---|---|---|
| What it proves | The translation is complete and accurate | The identity of the person who signed |
| Who is involved | The translator, who signs the certification | The translator plus a notary as witness |
| Does USCIS require it | Yes, on every foreign-language document | No |
| Where it shows up | USCIS, universities, most US offices | Some courts, some state agencies, some consulates |
Do we provide notarized translations?
No. We do not offer notarization, the same way we do not issue apostilles. Every order comes back certified, with the signed Certificate of Accuracy that 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) asks for, and for USCIS that is the whole requirement.
Most offices, including USCIS, do not require notarization. Some DMVs, courts, and universities do. A notary has to witness the translator signing, so notarization is arranged by whoever does the translation, not added afterwards by you at a bank or a mailbox store. If your office puts notarization in writing, send it to us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what it actually asks for before you pay anyone. Half the time it means certified. When it really means notarized, we will say so, and you should use a service that offers it.
So which one should you order?
For USCIS and for most US offices, order the certified translation: $19 a page, delivered within 24 hours, with the signed Certificate of Accuracy on every order and our USCIS acceptance guarantee. If a court or agency insists on notarization, get the requirement in writing and send it to us first, because half the time they mean certification. If it really is notarization, we do not provide it, and we will tell you rather than sell you something that will not work. And if you were about to search for tradução juramentada, that is a third thing entirely: see sworn vs certified translation.
Ivy translates and signs each order personally. She is a native Brazilian Portuguese speaker, and your document comes back with the signed Certificate of Accuracy the USCIS rule requires.
Common questions
Is a notarized translation more official than a certified one?
No. The notary only confirms who signed the paper. The certification itself is what speaks to accuracy, and that is the part USCIS reads.
Does USCIS require a notarized translation?
No. The translation rule, 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), asks for a certified translation and never mentions notarization. When a USCIS notice mentions certification, it means the signed Certificate of Accuracy, not a notary stamp.
An office told me they want a notarized translation. Now what?
Ask them exactly what they need, in writing, because many offices say notarized when they mean certified. Send us what they wrote and we will tell you which one it is. If it really is notarization, we do not provide it, and we will say so before you pay us anything.
What about an apostille?
An apostille authenticates the original document for use between countries. It applies to the original, not to the translation, and USCIS does not require one for the translation.
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