Certified translations and the Hague Apostille: what it is, when to get it, and how much it costs

What are certified translations? Certified translations are documents translated by qualified professionals who attest to the accuracy of the information they contain — documents translated by certified translators, guaranteeing the authenticity of the content. These can’t be produced by just anyone, or by translation apps, since errors can compromise their validity. Certified documents carry the translator’s and a notary’s signature and stamp. Examples of documents that can be certified include birth, marriage, and death certificates; passports; contracts; powers of attorney; patents; academic certificates; immigration documents; and legal transcripts.

How are the translations done? Certified translations must carry the signature of a professional certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Importantly, the document has to be delivered in its original form, on paper, together with copies of the original documents, both stamped by the translator.

How much does it cost? Prices vary based on the type of translation, the document itself, its length, and how urgent it is. It’s not worth chasing the cheapest option — a rejected document means redoing the work and paying twice.

What is the Hague Apostille? The Hague Apostille is an international agreement that standardizes how documents are validated across borders — essentially a seal a notary’s office applies to a document to certify its authenticity.

When and where to get one. Many notary offices offer this service on the same day. It’s best to plan ahead, since anyone presenting documents in another country needs the Hague Apostille — this applies especially to exchange students and professionals emigrating abroad.

Cost. Prices vary by state, under specific regulation (Article 18). Recently, Brazil’s National Council of Justice enabled digital apostille processing for documents.

Benefits of working with professionals. Specialized companies offer quality, security, grammatically accurate work, translation into any language, respected deadlines, and specialized service. Fale Alfa stands out with more than 27 years in the market and well-trained professionals.