Official Translations

What is required to make a translation official?

Expats.cz Staff

Written by Expats.cz Staff Published on 09.04.2008 11:13:56 (updated on 09.04.2008) Reading time: 3 minutes

Written by Zdeňka Dvořáková
for Grabmüller Translation Agency

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO MAKE A TRANSLATION OFFICIAL?

If you come to the Czech Republic for a longer stay or if you decide to live here, you can expect a bureaucratic nightmare. The authorities will require you to have various documents translated. The translations of such documents will almost always have to be verified by a court-appointed interpreter.

What is a verified translation?

Translations verified by a court-appointed interpreter consist of a document in the original language and its translation into the target language. The verified translation is attached to the document in the source language (the original or an authenticated copy). Each translated document is affixed with an interpreter´s clause and the round rubberstamp of the court-appointed interpreter. By signing and placing the rubberstamp on the translation, the court-appointed interpreter attests that the translation corresponds verbatim to the text of the submitted document. The interpreter´s clause is written in the target language of the translation.

Who are court-appointed interpreters?


Rubber Stamp

Court-appointed interpreters are persons chosen by the courts of the Czech Republic who are authorized to translate official documents and to affix their translations with a round rubberstamp. The rubberstamp displays the national emblem of the Czech Republic, the name of the interpreter and his/her language(s).
      
What is an authenticated copy?

An authenticated copy of an original document becomes a document with the same weight as the original. Only a notary may make an authenticated copy of a foreign-language document. The price varies at around CZK 30 per printed page.

How much do I pay for a verified translation?

The prices for translations verified by court-appointed interpreters vary between CZK 350 and CZK 690, depending on the combination of languages, the type of document, the translator or the agency.

What influences the price?

Language combination. The price for common languages (English, German, Russian, French) is lower than for less usual languages (e.g. languages from Asia or Scandinavia). This is mainly because of the smaller number of court-appointed interpreters for those languages; the fewer the interpreters that have been appointed for an unusual language combination, the higher the price of the translation tends to be.

Type of document. If a usual form is involved (like a birth certificate or marriage license), the price varies near the lower limit of the price range. Less usual documents with content requiring greater expertise or with more complicated formatting will cost more.

Agencies: If an agent like a translation agency is involved in the process, the price of the translation is likely to be higher than if you approach a court-appointed translator directly. The advantage of a reliable agency is that it will save you phone calls to find a translator and the trouble of scanning your documents. You will avoid situations like encountering an unreliable or careless translator or not getting your translation by the agreed deadline. A high-quality translation agency secures your translation as soon as possible, arranges the making of certified copies by a notary, archives your submitted orders, sends the document to the desired address and is at your disposal every day.

What is the difference between interpreting and translating?

Interpreting is done orally. Verified interpreting (interpreting by a court-appointed interpreter) is required for wedding ceremonies, dealings with the registrar´s office, general meetings of companies, meetings with notaries (like when founding a company), the drafting of contracts etc. Translations are written. For official documents, a translation verified by a court-appointed interpreter is usually required.

Grabmüller Translation Agency offers translations into all of the world´s major languages with or without authentication, performed by professional translators. 

We are pleased to serve individual and corporate clients.

We are able to prepare sworn translations of such documents as birth certificates, marriage licenses, criminal records, diplomas etc. very quickly without charging the fee for express translations. For companies we offer translations of all kinds of contracts and internal documents, interpreting at business meetings etc.

You can find more information here or at http://www.grabmuller.cz/  We are available daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please contact us either by phone at (420) 221 602 120 or by e-mail at servis@grabmuller.cz

We look forward to your visit. Grabmüller Team

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