Have questions about our certified translation services? Find answers to the most common questions below. If you don't see your question answered here, please don't hesitate to contact us directly.
What is the difference between a certified translation and a regular translation?
A certified translation is an official translation performed by a sworn translator who is authorized by official bodies such as courts or translator associations. The translator certifies that the translation is accurate and complete by affixing their official stamp, signature, and credentials to the translated document. This certification gives the translation legal validity and is required by government agencies, courts, educational institutions, and other official entities. Regular translations, while they may be accurate, lack this official certification and are not accepted for legal or official purposes. Our best certified translation services in Ecuador ensure your documents carry the necessary authority for any official proceeding.
How long does it take to receive my certified translation?
Standard turnaround time for our certified translation services is 1-2 business days from the moment we receive your payment and confirmed order. This timeline applies to most common documents up to 10 pages in length. For longer documents exceeding 10 pages, we'll provide a specific timeline when we send your quote. If you have urgent needs, we offer express service options that can deliver translations in as little as 24 hours, though rush fees apply. The delivery timeframe begins counting from business days, Monday through Friday, excluding Ecuadorian national holidays. We always provide an estimated delivery date when confirming your order.
Are your certified translations accepted internationally?
Yes, our certified translations are recognized and accepted by government agencies, embassies, consulates, universities, and courts in countries around the world including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Spain, France, Germany, and many others. Our sworn translators hold official certifications from recognized bodies including the Judicial Council of Ecuador and international translation associations. The translations include all necessary elements such as the translator's official stamp, certification statement, signature, and credentials. For certain countries or specific purposes, additional steps such as notarization or Apostille may be required, which we can facilitate as part of our comprehensive service offering.
Do I need to notarize my certified translation?
Whether you need notarization depends on the requirements of the institution or agency where you'll submit your documents. Some countries and institutions accept certified translations with just the sworn translator's stamp and signature, while others require an additional notarization step where a licensed notary public authenticates the translator's signature. Common situations requiring notarization include certain visa applications, court proceedings, and real estate transactions. When you request a quote for our certified translation services, let us know the intended use and destination of your documents, and we'll advise whether notarization is recommended or required. We offer notarization services at $29.06 per document bundle for your convenience.
What are your business hours for certified translation services?
Our office operates Monday through Friday from 08:30 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 17:30 (Ecuadorian time). We are closed on weekends and Ecuadorian national holidays. However, you can submit translation requests through our online quote form at any time, 24/7. Requests submitted outside business hours will be reviewed and responded to on the next business day. For urgent matters during business hours, you can also reach us by phone. Our working hours ensure that we maintain the high quality standards expected from the best certified translation services in Ecuador while providing reasonable turnaround times for all projects.
How much do your certified translation services cost?
Our pricing is transparent and based on per-page rates that vary by language pair. For English-Spanish translations, the rate is $28.00 per page. French-Spanish and Italian-Spanish translations are $30.00 per page. Each page is calculated as approximately 250 words. All prices exclude VAT, which will be added to your invoice as required by Ecuadorian law. We offer automatic discounts starting from page three, making larger document translations more economical. Notarization, if required, is available at $29.06 per document bundle. Express service for urgent translations incurs additional fees. For an exact quote tailored to your specific documents, please submit a request through our contact form.
Can you provide Apostille services along with certified translations?
Yes, we provide Apostille services, but exclusively for documents issued in Ecuador by Ecuadorian authorities. An Apostille is an official certification that authenticates public documents for use in countries that are signatories to the Hague Apostille Convention. Common documents requiring Apostille include birth certificates, marriage certificates, academic diplomas, and police clearance certificates from Ecuador. If your Ecuadorian document needs to be used abroad, we can coordinate both the Apostille process and the subsequent certified translation into the required language. This comprehensive service ensures your documents are fully prepared for international acceptance. Documents from other countries must be Apostilled in their country of origin before we can provide certified translations of them.
What documents can you translate and certify?
We translate and certify virtually all types of official documents including civil registry documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees), academic documents (diplomas, transcripts, degrees), legal documents (powers of attorney, contracts, court orders, judgments), immigration documents (visa applications, passport translations), business documents (articles of incorporation, financial statements, corporate bylaws), real estate documents (property titles, deeds), and personal documents (driver's licenses, medical records, police certificates). Our sworn translators are experienced with the specific terminology and formatting requirements for each document type, ensuring that your certified translation meets all official standards and is accepted by the receiving institution.