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A request abroad is only as good as its translation. We translate summonses, complaints, exhibits and treaty forms into the language the receiving authority requires, certify them to the standard it accepts, and translate what comes back into English for your file.
Notice to defendant: you are being sued. You have 30 days after these papers are served on you to file a written response with this court.
Aviso al demandado: se ha presentado una demanda en su contra. Tiene 30 días a partir de la notificación de estos documentos para presentar una contestación por escrito ante este tribunal.
Mostly documents on their way into a foreign legal system, and the ones that come back out of it.
"Certified translation" means different things in different countries. We confirm the standard before we start, so the translation isn't refused months later.
| Level | What you receive | Usually needed for |
|---|---|---|
| CertifiedMost common | The translation with a signed statement from the translator confirming it is complete and accurate, and their qualifications. | U.S. courts, most Central Authorities under the Hague and Inter-American Conventions, USCIS. |
| Notarized | The same certified translation, with the translator's signature witnessed by a notary public. The notary confirms identity, not the translation itself. | Authorities that ask for a notarized translator's affidavit, and documents that will later be apostilled. |
| Sworn or officialCivil-law countries | A translation made or stamped by a translator sworn before a court or ministry of that country. | Filings and registrations in countries that recognize only their own sworn translators, common in parts of Europe and Latin America. |
| Apostilled | A notarized translation with an apostille or consular legalization added, so it is recognized abroad. | Translations prepared in the U.S. that will be filed with a foreign court or registry. |
Requirements vary by country, court and document type. Tell us where the translation will be used and we'll confirm the standard in the quote. Read about apostille and legalization.
It is one of the most common reasons a request comes back.
Under the Hague Convention, a Central Authority can insist that documents be in its official language, and many do. A request with an untranslated exhibit, or a form that doesn't match the country's version, can be returned after months in the queue.
Even where translation is optional, a defendant served with papers they couldn't understand has grounds to challenge that service later. Our translators work in legal documents only, and every translation is checked by a second linguist before it is certified.
These follow the countries where our clients serve documents most often. We handle most other languages too.
Serving in a country with more than one official language, such as Switzerland, Belgium or Canada? The right language depends on the region where the defendant is. We check it for you.
Service packages, discovery and foreign judgments for cross-border litigation.
Contracts, registry filings and board documents for subsidiaries abroad.
Court and regulatory documents that must meet a foreign authority's standard.
Claims files, reports and correspondence for incidents abroad.
Translated forms and returns for international service and recognition cases.
Certificates, transcripts and immigration papers for official use.
From files to certified translation, with one point of contact.
Upload the documents and tell us where they'll be used.
A fixed quote with scope, certification level and delivery date.
Legal translator, then a second-linguist review.
Certified, notarized or sworn, and delivered or filed.
Send the documents for a free, no-obligation quote.
Request a translation quoteSend the documents through the request form or by email, and tell us the target language and where the translation will be used. We reply with a fixed quote, or with questions if we need more detail.
By word count, language pair, certification level and deadline. Rare languages and rush deadlines cost more. The quote is fixed before we start.
A short document such as a summons can often be turned around in one to two business days. Long exhibits take longer. Rush delivery is available for most languages.
It depends on the country and the route. Some Central Authorities require every page served to be translated, others accept the summons and complaint alone. We confirm the scope before quoting.
We check the standard for the country and document before starting. Where only a locally sworn translator is accepted, we arrange the translation through one.
We revise the translation at no charge if a court or Central Authority asks for corrections to our work.
Files are shared only with the translators and reviewers assigned to them, over secure channels, and we sign NDAs on request.
General information about legal translation, not legal advice. Translation requirements vary by country, court and document; confirm the current position for your case.
Send the files and case details, or call 888-671-6643.
