Certified Translation

They differ in their specificity. Usually, the public translator translates several types of documents to be valid in Brazil or abroad. While common translation is freely negotiated between translator and client, certified translation is regulated by federal ordinance and resolutions of the state boards of trade, including Fees and Criteria for Delivery Time, service provision hours and urgency.

Ordinance 13.069/1943 regulates the profession of the public translator and establishes that “no book, document or paper of any nature that is recorded (written) in a foreign language will be recognized as valid in offices of the Federal Government, States or Municipalities, in any instance, court or tribunal or entities maintained, supervised or guided by public authorities.” Every document in a foreign language must be accompanied by a translation performed by a certified translator. Only documents in the country’s official language have official validity, even if they are in English and “everyone speaks English” or Spanish and are “easy to understand”.

The standards for preparing and issuing certified translations are regulated by Ordinance 13.609/43 (see page) and by resolutions of each state’s board of trade. In the state of Rio de Janeiro, the Resolution in effect is JUCERJA Resolution No. 107/2018 (see document), which updates the fees schedule and establishes other procedures and standards.

No, the certified translation accompanies and validates the original document in a country whose official language is different from that in which the original document was issued. The original document must always be accompanied by its translation. One is not valid without the other.

The normal (non-urgent) delivery time for certified translations determined by JUCERJA is 2 standard pages/day during business hours, excluding the date on which the service is hired. The delivery time for your document will depend on the number of pages, which is estimated based on the original document. It is important to remember that a page contains 1,000 characters of the translated document without counting blank spaces and is NOT the number of pages in your document. For example, a translated identity card or driver’s license contains about 1.5 to 2 pages. Diplomas are usually delivered in two business days and school transcripts in 2 to 5 business days, depending on the size. A “standard” marriage or birth certificate takes two days. It is not possible to estimate the cost or delivery time for a translation without seeing the document. Please send a scanned copy and we will send you an estimated quote.

No. The certified translator has been tested, qualified and registered to exercise the profession and has the power of official validity. In addition, certified translation must follow a set of guidelines of which you would most likely be unaware. The legislation that governs the practice of the profession does not provide for certification of third-party translations. When requested, a translator can issue a report or opinion on third-party translations, usually at the request of the court.

The cost for additional printed copies or digitally signed PDFs for delivery together with the translation is 20% of the translation amount for the first copy, and 10% for each additional copy. The costs for later delivery (after the translation delivery date) ​​are 50% and 20%, respectively. If other translations have already been registered and delivered on the same date after your translation, a later copy will be charged.

Art. 35, §1 of Ordinance 13.609/43 expressly prohibits any type of discount on the Board of Trade table: “It is not lawful for translators to lower, for anyone’s benefit, the fees that have been set in the fees table, under penalty of a high fine, doubled in the event of recurrence, and they must note the total fees and stamps charged at the end of each translation”.

Each certified translation is an official document that receives a number and is recorded in a translation log, which is inspected by the state’s board of trade each year. If any data has changed in the client’s document, even if it is just the date, it is considered to be a new document. Therefore, the public translator is required to assign a new number and register this new translation in the translation log, with its cost indicated on the page where the translation ends.

Quotes presuppose a prior and final agreement on costs for a service. Since by law this translation must be charged based on the number of characters in the translated document, it is not possible to give quotes and “final prices”. Certified translation estimates are calculated based on the number of characters and/or words in the translated document.

The cost is only an estimate because it is based on the original document and because current legislation determines that the translation must be charged based on the number of standard pages – 1,000 (one thousand) characters each without counting blank spaces – of the translated document. It is not possible to precisely estimate how many characters a translated text will have in another language due to differences inherent to the languages ​​and the description of stamps, seals, signatures, watermarks and other graphic security elements of the document that will be added.

All public translators are required by law to respect the fees table and standards set by the board of trade in order to maintain their registration and guarantee the legality of their translations. Estimates may vary between public translators, but the difference is due to how the estimate is calculated and not the page price. The final cost for the translation will be determined according to the table. Therefore, it is more convenient to choose a translator from your neighborhood, or one that has been recommended or whose work you are already familiar with.

According to current legislation, certified translation is charged based on the number of characters in the translated document, so it is not possible to quote this type of translation. However, an estimate can be provided based on the number of characters/words in the original documents. To receive an estimate, send quality digitalized copies that are clearly legible and without distortion, front and back (if not blank), and preferably by email.

Yes. You will pay the fair, exact amount calculated based on the number of characters and pages (1000 characters each without counting blank spaces) of your translation and according to the current table, not a penny more or less. By law, the cost of the translation must appear on the last page.

The minimum charge is the price of one standard page under a normal delivery time. Consult the price list and delivery times. (http://atprio.com.br/tabela-de-valores/)

If the client is not in a hurry, the work is conducted in the normal timeframe (calculated at the rate of two standard translated pages per work day during business hours).

If the client requires urgent service, in a period shorter than the normal timeframe, the service is charged under an emergency regime. (See “Delivery Times” on this FAQ page.)

The normal delivery time for a translation is one business day for every 2 standard pages of translation. Urgent delivery times are available, if needed.

It depends on the difficulty and size of the document. Request an estimate and check the possibilities of urgent or extraordinary timeframes below.

The exact size of a translation will only be known when it is ready.

Sometimes a word is translated into two or more words or another twice as long. This increases the character count of the translation. The standard page size adopted in the state of Rio de Janeiro contains up to 1,000 (one thousand) typed characters, without counting blank spaces.

The translation is equivalent to a document whose authenticity is certified (as in a notary’s office). Therefore, in addition to translating the text itself, the translator must rigorously translate all the stamps that authenticate the document as well.

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Any service delivered in a shorter period than the normal delivery time (which is calculated at a rate of two standard translated pages per work day during business hours) is considered an urgent service. In such cases, the urgency fee must be charged and discounts are prohibited. On the last page of the translation, the translator must indicate the amount charged for the service, the delivery time for performing the service and the date and time of receipt of the client’s urgent request.

A service is considered extraordinary when the delivery time requested by the client and the volume of work require the translator to work after business hours, through the night, or on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. In such cases, the extraordinary service fee must be charged and discounts are prohibited. On the last page of the translation, the translator must indicate the amount charged for the service, the delivery time for performing the service and the date and time of receipt of the client’s extraordinary service request.

The differences between the estimated and final costs for certified translations are generally 20-30% higher or lower. Sometimes the differences are a matter of cents. It is impossible to precisely estimate how many characters a translated document will have in another language. By law, the cost of the translation must be informed on the last page. For clarity, we also include the number of characters and standard pages of the translation and the amount per page charged, according to the type of document translated.

If you have already submitted your documents for evaluation and approved your translation service estimate, you must complete the online service agreement or send us an email approving the service, pay the 50% down payment and deliver or send your documents when requested. Banking information will be automatically informed on the screen after completing and submitting the online service agreement. When the translation is ready, we will inform the final cost and discuss delivery of your translation. Payment must be made in cash or by bank deposit or transfer.

Yes. If the service has already been started, you can receive unsigned free translations of documents or parts of documents already translated at the corresponding amount. The amount for the service not yet performed will be refunded less the bank transfer fee. If the job has already been completed, however, it can no longer be canceled.

Submit the translation log number and translation number, which are located in the header of the translated document. If you do not know, inform the approximate date when you hired the service. This will make it easier to find your translation record and issue a new copy. Always record these numbers or keep copies of your certified translations.

In accordance with current legislation:

1 – For delivery with the translation: – first copy, 20% of the translation amount. Additional copies, 10% of the translation amount.

2 – For delivery after the translation is delivered: – first copy, 50% of the translation amount; – other copies, 20% of the translation amount.

In other words, if you think that you might need copies of your translation (usually school transcripts, diplomas, etc.), it is advantageous to request up to three copies with the translation, which will be less than the cost for a single copy (50%) after delivery of the translation.

Yes. The normal cost for the service, without urgency, is for the delivery of up to two standard pages of the translated document per day – 2,000 characters. Above that, a 50% fee is charged for the execution and delivery of translations during business hours and 100% for work on business days after business hours or on weekends and holidays.

This is the value of delaying other activities (personal or work) to perform and deliver your translation during the timeframe of your convenience. The urgency fee is an exception and benefit for the client.

Although by law the certified translator has the power of official validity throughout Brazil, public agents can and usually require notarization of the translator’s signature when the translation is used outside the municipality and state of residence. Therefore, we recommend notarizing the translator’s signature on the translations to avoid wasting time and incurring higher expenses. We provide signature notarization at cost (notary fee and courier service) if requested.

The notary will require the presentation of your document’s certified translation to notarize your signature. By law, notary offices cannot perform any act on documents in a foreign language without being accompanied by a certified translation.

In order to be valid in Brazil, foreign documents and Brazilian documents to be sent abroad must be authenticated. There are three types of authentication: authentication by foreign relations bodies or departments (in Brazil, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) and its secretariats); legalization or consular legalization, conducted by consulates; and the Hague Apostille. The Hague Apostille is a document that is attached to your original document and that will grant authenticity and validity outside the country where it was issued. The apostille is only valid for countries that are signatory to the Hague Convention. For other countries, consular legalization is required. In order to legalize or obtain consular legalization for the document, the signature of the person who signed it must be notarized first; then, it must be authenticated by the foreign relations body (in Brazil, the MRE and its regional secretariats) and, when required, by the country’s consulate. The same procedure is adopted in Brazil and other countries. In Brazil, the apostille is drafted in notary offices, and in other countries, by notaries and foreign relations agencies. Notarization of the signature of the person who signed the document first is always mandatory. The local notary can inform you on where to obtain apostilles for your documents. To find out which countries accept the apostille, see: What the Hague Convention is and: Questions and Answers – The Hague Apostille Convention.

All foreign documents, with the exception of passports and driver’s licenses, must and can only be authenticated in the countries where they were issued. You will need to ask someone to obtain new copies or you will need to send your copies back so that someone can obtain the apostille for them in those countries.

Normally, only document translations require an apostille/consular legalization, as the authenticity of the original public document in Portuguese is recognized here. If an apostille is required for the original document as well, the client will be responsible for this procedure. It is impossible for the translator to be familiar with the requirements of all bodies and entities in all countries.

Since the original official Brazilian document is recognized as authentic and valid in Brazil, it is normally not necessary to legalize/obtain an apostille prior to the certified translation. Other documents, such as powers of attorney, contracts, etc. must obey the signature notarization and registration procedures to be recognized as official prior to their translation. Consular legalization and the issuance of an apostille are usually conducted after translation. They can also be performed prior to translation, but this will add to the cost of the translations.

Attention: apostilles are not issued for documents in Portuguese or translations of documents into Portuguese for use in Brazil.

See the list of countries that are signatory to Hague’s Apostille Convention of 1961. If the desired country is not a signatory to the convention, you must obtain authentication from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRE) and consular legalization of the document, if required. See the list of countries that are signatory to the convention here. Does not direct.

It is impossible for the certified translator to know the requirements of different institutions in each country, which can change at any time. Each country and institution has its own laws and rules. The client is responsible for discovering whether legalization/obtaining an apostille is required from the agency that will receive the documents. English-speaking countries generally do not require legalization/apostille on foreign documents. Countries whose official language is not English, but accept documents in English, tend to require consular legalization/obtaining an apostille for foreign documents.

Check the list of notaries that provide this service. We recommend calling the notary prior to visiting the office to confirm the availability of the service. If you prefer, we offer a courier service for notary offices.

Yes, but you should be aware that any public agency or authority may reject your document and, consequently, its translation because it has not been legalized/granted an apostille. Legalization/obtention of an apostille is a legal requirement for a foreign document to be valid in Brazil. We recommend that you authenticate your documents. In the meantime, we can work on your translation and when you receive the authenticated documents, we will be able to deliver your translation faster.

The value of the apostille service varies from state to state. You must check with the notary offices about the apostille service rates. However, authentication by the MRE and its secretariats is free, but requires notarization of the signature of the person who signed the document first. The cost for consular legalization, on the other hand, is determined by the governments of each country.

No, the document can be delivered or submitted by third parties or even sent by registered letter or Sedex, even in Rio de Janeiro or Niterói, if that is more convenient.

Yes, simpler documents such as driver’s licenses, transcripts that are only a few pages long and simple certificates may be presented when you pick up your translation; however, you may have to wait for the translations to be reviewed with the original documents and the translation to be issued and recorded prior to your delivery. Extensive, complex or numerous documents must be delivered/sent on the date of hiring the certified translation service. It would be impractical to review these translations at the time of delivery.

Documents must be delivered to our office in Rio de Janeiro or residence in Niterói or at a previously agreed pick-up and drop-off point. Remember that we also offer mail, courier or third-party delivery service for an additional fee. There is no need to appear in person.

Scanned documents may be used for the translation, but the client is responsible for verifying the acceptance of such translations by the recipient. The translator must state the nature of the translated document – scanned document, in this case, or original document. In other words, whenever possible, it is better to translate from the original printed, stamped and signed document.

No. We can translate scanned documents, with the appropriate annotation of the type of document, and attach a copy to the translation. However, the client is exclusively responsible for verifying the acceptance of translations of digital/scanned documents.

If you delivered the original documents on the date of hiring the service, the documents and translations can be sent by mail or courier, or other means, with the corresponding cost, or can be picked up at my office or previously agreed pick-up location.

Yes, we can recommend a reliable courier to pick up and deliver your documents and translations and perform the apostille or consular legalization service. These services are charged separately.

Yes, all documents are returned along with the translations.

Yes. We can begin the translation while you wait for the original document to arrive. This will shorten the delivery time. If you do not obtain the original printed document, you must check whether translations of digital/scanned documents are accepted by the recipient.

Yes. The postage costs will be added to the cost of the translation service. We request that you send a self-addressed envelope along with your documents for the return postage to avoid addressing errors.

Yes. However, for your safety, we suggest that you keep a simple or certified copy of your document and always include postal insurance.

Yes, but every seal, stamp and signature affixed to the document will add to the cost of your translation.

Yes. We can deliver translations as digitally signed PDFs. The cost is the same as for printed copies. If you want a printed copy and a digitally signed PDF copy, the additional copy will be charged.

It is not possible to adjust translations already issued, registered and delivered to the client. The changes make your document a new document. If changes are made prior to the delivery of your translation, the translator will be able to evaluate whether to accept the replacement documents, depending on the type of document and type and number of changes made and the progress of the service.

No. The translation must be true to the original document, including any typographical and/or language errors, and the translator must add translation notes when necessary. For your translation to be correct, you must obtain a new corrected document.

Yes. However, the translator must cite the requested omission and describe the omitted content. However, some institutions like the CNJ, especially in lawsuits, require documents to be translated in full.

Go to a notary office and ask the notary to register the desired content. Next, take it to a certified translator so that it can be attached to the proceedings. It is valid if the content is in Portuguese and has to be translated into English.

If small errors are found and a new document is obtained before the translation is delivered, then it is possible to correct such issues. Once the translation is registered and delivered, it cannot be changed. You will need to hire a new translation. When a new document is issued, in addition to the corrected data, the date of issue and signatories are also usually changed; in other words, although the content is similar, it is an entirely new document, and once the translation is registered, neither the translation nor its archived copy can be changed.

Art. 35, §1 of Ordinance 13.609/43 expressly prohibits any type of discount on the Board of Trade table: “It is not lawful for translators to lower, for anyone’s benefit, the fees that have been set in the fees table, under penalty of a high fine, doubled in the event of recurrence, and they must note the total fees and stamps charged at the end of each translation”.

Each certified translation is an official document that receives a number and is recorded in a translation log, which is inspected by the state’s board of trade each year. If any data has changed in the client’s document, even if it is just the date, it is considered to be a new document. Therefore, the public translator is required to assign a new number and register this new translation in the translation log, with its cost indicated on the page where the translation ends.