If you need a certified translation by a court-appointed translator, it’s important to prepare your documentation properly. Incomplete, unclear, or improperly submitted documents can delay the process or even lead to rejection. To avoid unnecessary complications, we’ve prepared a clear and practical step-by-step guide.
1. Gather the original documents
A court translator can only translate originals or certified copies of official documents. First, make sure you have:
- Valid originals (IDs, diplomas, certificates, extracts, statements, judgments, etc.)
- If you’re sending copies, they must be clear, complete, and easy to read
- Documents in either physical or high-resolution digital format
Note: Do not shorten or omit content. Every page must be included in the translation.
2. Check that the documents contain all necessary information
Before sending documents to a court translator, verify:
- That each document is complete and intact
- That all personal information is clearly visible (name, surname, dates, signatures, stamps)
- Whether a multilingual version exists – if so, check whether full translation is still required
3. Define the translation language pair
The court translator needs to know:
- Which language the document is in
- Which language you need the certified translation in
Example: Translating a diploma from Serbian to German, or a court ruling from English to Serbian.
In some cases, two translators may be needed if the language combination is not covered by a single court translator.
4. Agree on deadlines and delivery method
Certified translations are delivered in printed format, with the court translator’s stamp and signature. Before that:
- Ask about the turnaround time (typically 1–3 business days, depending on volume)
- Check whether urgent translation is possible for an additional fee
- Agree whether you will pick up the translation in person, or prefer mail or courier delivery
5. Send documents in the agreed format
Send the agency or translator:
- Clear PDF files (or scanned documents in high resolution)
- All pages that are part of the document, even if some appear “blank”
- Do not alter the document – the translation must reflect the original exactly
6. Ask for a price quote before confirming the service
Certified translation rates usually depend on:
- The language pair (e.g., English is typically less expensive than Norwegian)
- The number of pages
- The deadline (standard or urgent)
Ask for an exact quote before confirming the translation.
Quick Checklist for Clients:
- You have gathered original documents or certified copies
- Documents are clear, complete, and scanned in high resolution
- You know exactly which language pair is needed
- Deadline and delivery method are agreed
- You’ve received a quote and confirmed the price
If you need a reliable and fast certified translation, the Alfa Prevod team is here to guide you through the entire process. We follow legal standards and guarantee accuracy, precision, and confidentiality.
Got a question? Send us your document, and we’ll immediately tell you what the next steps are.
