We take away the uncertainty surrounding certification insurance purposes, but you don’t know where to go and are unaware who to turn to. If this is a familiar scenario you have been faced with, you need look no further. Language Linx facilitates the three main types of certification – certification, notarisation, and legalisation – and has all the expertise you require to point you in the right direction.

Why is certification required?

Certified document translations are usually required by non-governmental organisations such as employers, schools, universities, immigration and visa services, and insurance providers.

Common situations where you may be requested to provide certified documents include:

• University applications
• Job applications
• Immigration or emigration applications
• First marriage in Ireland with a foreign national
• Proof of previous marriage dissolved upon re-marriage in Ireland
• Preparation of patent documentation
• Translation of technical manuals

There are numerous documents requiring certification, depending on the nature of your application and individual circumstances, you may need to provide certified translations of birth, marriage, divorce and academic certificates, official transcripts such as school, work or medical reports, regulatory documents such as power of attorney and contracts or utility bills.

What is certification?

Following translation of your document(s) we will ask the translator to certify the document with their own stamp and provide a separate certificate confirming that the document(s) has been translated by a qualified translator and attests it to be a true and accurate translation. Alternatively your translated document(s) can be certified in-house by Language Linx and we will provide a certificate confirming the translation has been undertaken by a qualified translator and certified as a true and accurate by the appointed party. If the organisation requesting certification asks that the translated documents should be presented in a preferred format, this should not be a problem.

How does notarisation work?

Notarised translations are often required by governmental and legal bodies. This procedure is more drawn out than ordinary certification and involves the translator or Language Linx attending the offices of a Public Notary such as solicitor, where we will swear an oath and sign a written declaration that the document(s) is a true and honest translation of the original document. The Notary will then certify the translation with their official company stamp.

What does legalisation involve?

This level of certification is usually required when presenting documents to overseas authorities outside Europe who adhere to the Hague Convention. Typically this includes documents supporting an overseas marriage, adoption, job or visa application. Original documents are required in all cases and the procedure is similar to notarisation except the certified documents are sent to Irish Embassies and Consulates or presidents of civil courts of first instance for checking. They then provide an Apostille or document confirming that the signature of the Notary is fully authorised. Documents requiring legalisation should be submitted with as much notice as possible as it can take a few weeks to fulfill legalisation.