Certified translations that are accepted the first time
Every certified translation comes with a signed statement of accuracy on company letterhead, is reviewed by an independent editor and is backed by our USCIS acceptance guarantee. Notarization and hard copies are available on request.
What a certified translation is
A certified translation is a complete, literal rendering of a document into another language, accompanied by a formal statement that the translation is accurate and that the person signing it is competent to translate between the two languages. Authorities rely on that statement, so its wording and the credentials behind it matter.
Certification does not change the content of your document. It attests that nothing has been added, omitted or interpreted. Names, dates, seals and even errors in the original are carried across faithfully and noted where needed.
Signed statement of accuracy
Issued on Layaab Services letterhead, signed and dated, naming the source and target languages and the document it covers. It states that the translation is complete and accurate to the best of the translator's knowledge.
Translator credentials
Certified translations are produced by native speaking linguists with legal or vital records training and checked by a second editor. The certification identifies the responsible party so an authority can verify it.
Notarization as an add on
When the receiving body asks for a notarized translation, a notary public witnesses the signature on the statement of accuracy. Tell us the destination and we will confirm whether notarization is needed.
Apostille guidance
Documents going abroad may need an apostille from the competent government authority. We explain the sequence, prepare the notarized translation the apostille attaches to and flag country specific requirements.
Documents we certify every day
Each category is handled by linguists who know the formats, the terminology and what the receiving authority expects to see.
Immigration and vital records
- Birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates
- Passports, national IDs and driver licenses
- Police clearances, affidavits and sponsor letters
Legal and court
- Contracts, powers of attorney and wills
- Judgments, pleadings and evidentiary exhibits
- Deposition transcripts and recorded statements
Academic
- Diplomas, degrees and transcripts
- Course descriptions for credential evaluation
- Enrollment letters and recommendation letters
Corporate
- Articles of incorporation and bylaws
- Financial statements, audits and bank letters
- Tender documents and regulatory filings
Medical records
- Hospital records and discharge summaries
- Vaccination records and lab results
- Medical opinions for insurance and legal claims
Something else?
We certify translations in more than 80 languages. If your document does not fit a category above, send it anyway and we will confirm the right approach.
Languages we coverWhat the guarantee covers, plainly
USCIS requires that any foreign language document be accompanied by a full English translation and a certification from the translator that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate. Our statement of accuracy is written to meet that requirement.
If USCIS rejects or issues a request for evidence about a certified translation we produced, and the reason relates to the translation itself or to the certification format, we will retranslate and recertify the document at no cost and prioritize the turnaround.
The guarantee does not cover outcomes unrelated to translation quality, such as missing source documents, eligibility questions, application errors or requests for additional evidence about the underlying facts. We say this up front because a guarantee is only useful if you know exactly what it means.
- Complete translation of every page, including stamps, seals and marginal notes
- Formatting that mirrors the source so the reviewer can compare side by side
- Signed and dated statement of accuracy on company letterhead
- Independent editor review before the certification is signed
- Digital PDF delivery; notarized hard copies on request
- Retranslation at no cost if rejected on translation grounds
Delivery tiers
Turnaround is confirmed in writing with your quote. Rush work goes through the same two tier review; we shorten the queue, not the process.
Standard
24 to 48 hours
Typical personal, academic and legal documents of a few pages. Most certificates and letters are delivered the next business day.
Rush
12 hours
For filing deadlines, court dates and interview appointments. Tell us the deadline when you upload and we will confirm feasibility in the quote.
Large projects
Scoped per project
Case files, corporate record sets and multilingual batches get a delivery schedule, a dedicated team and staged deliveries where useful.
Three steps to a certified translation
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Step 1
Upload clear copies
Use the instant quote form to send scans or photos of every page. Tell us the target language, where the translation is going and your deadline. Our document preparation guide explains what makes a good scan.
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Step 2
Approve the quote by email
You receive a fixed quote and delivery date, usually within the hour. Reply to approve. If you need notarization or hard copies, say so at this stage so the certification is prepared correctly.
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Step 3
Receive and file
The certified PDF arrives by secure link. Print it in color and include it with your application together with a copy of the original document. Hard copies, where ordered, follow by courier.
Certified translation questions
What is the difference between certified and notarized translation?
A certified translation includes a signed statement from the translation provider confirming that the translation is complete and accurate. Notarization adds a notary public who witnesses the signature on that statement. USCIS requires certification, not notarization. Some courts, universities and foreign authorities ask for both.
Does USCIS accept your certified translations?
Yes. Our certification statement follows the USCIS requirement that the translator attest to competence and to the completeness and accuracy of the translation. If a certified translation we produced is rejected on translation grounds, we retranslate and recertify it at no cost.
Do I need to send the original document?
No. A clear scan or photo of every page, including the back if it carries stamps or notes, is enough. We translate from the copy you send and reference it in the certification.
How long does a certified translation take?
Standard delivery for typical documents is 24 to 48 hours. A 12 hour rush option is available. Large or multi document projects are scoped individually with an agreed delivery date.
Will the translation match the layout of the original?
We mirror the structure of the source document so that stamps, seals, signatures, tables and handwritten notes are represented in the same position and described in brackets where they cannot be translated.
Can you provide an apostille?
An apostille is issued by a government authority, not by a translation company. We can advise on whether your destination country requires one, prepare the notarized translation that the apostille will attach to and explain the sequence to follow.
Need a certified translation for a deadline?
Upload your documents securely and receive a fixed quote and delivery date within the hour. Every certified translation is backed by our USCIS acceptance guarantee.