Two words, two completely different things — and one of them you are probably being overcharged for.
These two terms are used interchangeably by people who are about to charge you for both. They mean genuinely different things, and knowing the difference tells you what to order.
Certified = the translator swears the translation is accurate.
Notarized = a notary confirms who signed that oath.
The certification is about the translation. The notarization is about the person.
| Certified translation | Notarized translation | |
|---|---|---|
| What is attested | Completeness, accuracy, translator competence | The identity of the person signing the certificate |
| Who signs | The translator | The translator, plus a notary public who witnesses it |
| Does anyone check the translation? | The translator affirms it under penalty of perjury | No — a notary is not permitted to evaluate content |
| USCIS | Required | Not required |
| U.S. universities, WES, ECE | Required | Occasionally requested |
| Foreign consulates | Required | Usually required |
| Before an apostille | Required | Mandatory — the apostille attaches to the notary |
| Typical extra cost elsewhere | — | $15–$25 |
| Our price | $35/page | Included free |
If a customer believes USCIS requires notarization, they will buy notarization. It is a $20 add-on that takes minutes to perform and that USCIS never asked for. A great deal of translation marketing leans on that belief without ever stating the false thing outright — you will see phrases like “notarized for USCIS” that are technically just two true things placed next to each other.
We would rather tell you plainly: for a USCIS filing, the certification is what matters. We include notarization anyway, at no charge, because the same document usually ends up somewhere else eventually and we would rather you not pay twice.
If you are not sure, send us the document and tell us who is receiving it. We will tell you which one you need before you pay anything.
Send us a photo or scan of your document. We reply with a firm price and delivery time — usually within one hour during business hours. No payment needed to get a quote.
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