2024 Document Translation Rates

Legal translation costs are calculated on the total word-count, not the number of pages; however, nationally, the average legal document translation cost is around $0.14 to $0.18 per word for court document translations. Since we at Southeast Spanish do not outsource, we keep our translation fee to around $0.10 per word from Spanish to English, unless there are complex formatting considerations, financial tables that need to be recreated or other factors. Our legal translation costs, which average around $0.10 per word, tend to cost around $20 to $25 per page, and we always provide the total cost to translate in advance.

The cost to translate birth certificates is typically $54, even for two page birth certificates from Guatemala, Colombia and Venezuela. The certificate of translation included is valid for immigration purposes, naturalization, green card applications and all visa requirements. We are able to provide certified translations from Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian.

In general, the cost to translate a birth certificate to English can vary depending on the factors previously mentioned such as the type and complexity of the document, the language pair, the turnaround time, and the qualifications and experience of the translator.

On average, translating a birth certificate to English can range from $30 to $70 per document for standard document types. But, it’s important to note that it can vary depending on the agency and the specific language being translated from and to. Some agencies may charge more for rare languages or for expedited services.

It’s recommended to get quotes and document translation rates from multiple translation services, and also to be aware of the cheapest translation service are not always the best quality. Additionally, it’s important to check if the translation service is certified and can provide a notarized translation and an affidavit of accuracy.

The total cost to translate a document from English to Spanish (and other languages) depends on the total word count, but on average, we charge around $0.10 per word, which averages out to around $25 per page. When customers ask how much do translations cost, we always say that the total cost is always provided in advance; therefore, once we receive your document, we will calculate the total word count and provide the full price for your consideration. Many companies only provide estimates in advance, and if you ask how much does it cost to translate a document from English to Spanish, for example, they will tell you that you have to translate it first, and then find out. We have found that our customers need to know the exact cost in advance; therefore, we always provide a quote for translation that will not change once the translation has been completed. We always guarantee that the quote will be the same as the final document translation prices.

In the United States, the average document translation cost from Spanish to English is around $0.15/word. Some Spanish translation companies advertise fixed translation rates per page, such as $20/page; however, rates per page can be deceptive as they are only valid for a maximum quantity of words, usually around 200 words. Documents with over 200 words are charged double, even if just a few words. At Southeast Spanish, we provide all translation rates per word in advance, we never outsource or use computer translation, and we keep our average translation cost around $0.10 per word for certified translation. If you’re asking how much do translations cost, there is never a simple answer, but we always provide details quotes in advance. Additionally, we keep our costs lower than average as we translate our documents in-house. Many translators offer services in hundreds of languages, but they do not have hundreds of employees: they simply outsource all work and pass the cost on to the customer. Since Southeast Spanish does not outsource, we are able to translate with much higher quality at a lower cost.

Customers are always asking how much do translation services cost and we typically respond by saying that document translation services cost is calculated based on the total word count of a document. In some cases translators simply calculate the page count and charge a standard rate per page; however, when pages are heavy on text, the rate per page can double or even triple. Essentially, when asking how much do translations cost, some translators say that they calculate cost to translate per page; however, they are really just estimating the word count and rounding up. More favorable and accurate translation pricing is calculated when using the price per word model. Some translators prefer to quote per page as it is an easier method, yet calculating the price to translate per word or the translation charge per word is almost always advantageous to the customer.

Translation cost is typically calculated based on the volume of text to be translated, the language pair, the complexity of the document, and the turnaround time. There are a few ways that translation services can charge for their services, the most common are:

How much do translators charge per word? Per-word rate: Translation services often charge a per-word rate, which can range from a few cents to several dollars per word depending on the language pair, complexity of the document, and the qualifications and experience of the translator.

Per-page rate: Some translation services charge a per-page rate, which can be based on the number of words per page or the number of characters per page. This rate can vary depending on the language pair, complexity of the document, and the qualifications and experience of the translator.

The cost to translate a birth certificate is $54; however we have to charge an additional $9 for the third party notary stamp. Notarization is not required for most translations, such as those for USCIS.

We translate a lot of documents for L-1 visas (L-1A visa and/or L-1B visa), or Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager Visas, which is the L-1A and the Intrecompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge visa, also known as the L-1B visa. Each L-1A visa or L-1B visa application is different; nonetheless, the most common documents requested are employee materials demonstrating job duties, letters explaining the transfer, financial and academic documents, and a variety of other documents that prove the need for the intracompany transfer of the executive or manager. We are able to translate documents for L-1A visas in 24 hours in most cases. Our translators have specialized knowledge in many fields and have successfully translated L-1A visa applications since 2007, as well as L-1B visa applications.

We specialize in translating required documentation for L-1A visas and L-2B visas from Spanish to English, and it takes 24 hours to complete the certified translation. Since 2007, we have translated for hundreds for L-1 visas for a variety of businesses across the nation. All L-1A visa translations and L-2A visa translations are fully guaranteed to be accepted by USCIS. The cost to translate for L-1A visas and L-2A visas will be calculated and provided in advance. FedEx shipping of the originals is included in most L-1 visa translations

Yes, of course. We are able to have an urgent translation request ready for an emergency passport in only a few hours in some cases. Typically the passport office requires requests to be submitted in original form; however, when applying for an emergency passport or life-or-death passport, a scanned, printed version of the certified translation can be submitted directly to the passport office. Even though notarization is not always required when requesting an emergency passport, we always go ahead and notarize the translation just in case the agent at the passport office insists on a certified, notarized translation for the emergency passport application.

No; certified translation are different that notarization translations; certified translations are required in most cases, notarized translations are required for passports, international submission, apostilles and some DMV applications.

Notarized translation and certified translation are similar but not exactly the same.

A certified translation is a translation that has been signed and stamped by a certified translator, who attests that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original document. A certificate of accuracy, typically including the translator’s signature and seal, is usually attached to the translated document.

A notarized translation is a translation that has been certified by a notary public in addition to the translator’s certification. The notary public acts as a witness to the translator’s signature and certifies that the translator is competent to translate the document in question. A notarized translation will have an additional notary’s stamp and signature.

In many cases, notarized translations are required by government agencies, immigration authorities, and courts, as they provide an added layer of authentication and credibility.

In summary, a notarized translation is a type of certified translation that has an added certification from a notary public, while a certified translation is done by a certified translator and have a certificate of accuracy.

There is no additional charge to certify a translation. We certify translations free of charge when necessary. For example, when a document is translated, we quote based on the word-count, formatting and other considerations, and when certification is needed, it is included free of charge. Certification includes a stamped, signed, sealed translator’s affidavit, which is valid nationally. If you need to know how much to translate a document, we will always provide the translation charge per word in advance.

The average translation rate per word in the United States is around $0.15 for a standard or certified translation. Many translators will have a minimum rate as letters with around one hundred words will not be billed at $15 given the standard and fixed costs associated with professional, certified document translation in the United States. Summary? How much is translation per word? It ranges, but usually around $0.15, depending on a lot of factors. We charge less since we don’t outsource or sub out work — we charge around $0.10 per word for certified translation.

Yes, our translations are considered to be official and certified, so they are valid for all courts, government agencies and many other requesting parties. All work is guaranteed to be accepted. Additionally, our American Translator’s Association number is included on all of our translation stamps and certification letterhead. We also have sworn translators in Spain, who are able to provide translation that is accepted in Spain and at all Spanish consulates.

Many Spanish translators will advertise $25 to $30 per page, but their definition of a page is 200 words or less, so the average birth certificate can cost $50 to $60 or more. If hard-copies are needed, the rate can increase. Sadly, many translation companies advertise $25 per page, but then charge over $60 for most birth certificate translations. At Southeast Spanish, we always provide certified electronic copies and mail hard copies for $54, even when birth certificates have several pages.

Document translation quotes are almost always provided in one hour or less. We are able to respond to translation RFQs in just a few minutes. Complicated projects may take and hour or two, although most requests for document translation prices are completed in twenty minutes or so, on average. Spanish to English translation always takes 24 hours or less.

The national average cost to translate an employee handbook is around $0.15 per word, unless machine (computer generated) translation is used. We, on the other hand, translate using professional translators and keep the rate at or below $0.10 per word in most cases. Since we do not outsource our rates and turnaround time are always better than most other translation agencies. We will always match other quote, unless the translation is computer generated or outsourced. Our certified translations will hold up in court.

Computer generated translation costs very little if not free; however, this type of translation is not certified, official, or even very accurate. We do not allow or endorse the use of translation software. Others use translation software to complete the first round of translation, and then edit the results quickly, which results in a highly inaccurate and unreadable translation. This is deceptively known as human translation or human powered translation, but it is +90% computer generated, very low quality and should not be considered official or certified. Again, we never use computer generated translation.

It is $69 to translate an FBI Identity History Summary or fingerprint submission, which includes translation of the federal apostille, unless a criminal history is present. In such case, the cost depends on the total word-count. If you are submitting to the consulate of Spain in Los Angeles or in Spain, you will need Sworn Translation, which is $99 for a clear background check and apostille.

Certified translations typically take between 4 and 24 hours. We can’t speak for other Spanish translators, but we at Southeast Spanish translate most documents in 24 hours or less, unless the translation project is over twenty or thirty pages.

Documents such as releve de notes, letters from la direction de l’Enseignment Secondaire, attestations, and diplome d’etudes secondaires, acte de naissance, typically range from $35 to $59 each. Vital records, school documents and legal documents from Haiti generally do not have too many words per page; we typically charge around $35-$59 for most of these documents. Like most academic and professional documents from Haiti, we can provide the cost to translate in advance within an hour of receiving a scan, picture or image of the document. It is always $54 to translate Haitian birth certificates, marriage certificates and background checks.

Yes, SES, Inc. can translate from Haitian Creole to English. We see many birth certificates issued by the National Archives of Haiti, which are written in Standard French, and we can take care of them easily. The cost to translate a birth certificate from Haiti is typically $54.

No; we are able to complete certified translations quickly, but everything takes a few hours or so. Since we do not need to original document, there is no reason to bring in the document. If you need to know how much does document translation cost, just send your document for a quote. When providing an official quote, we will also provide an estimated completion time.

In the past, yes, but the government now stipulates that documents not written in English must be translated by a competent professional translator and provide a signed translator’s affidavit on company letterhead. Also, the translator should not be related to the applicant, although it is not stipulated how closely the translator can or cannot be related to the person applying for citizenship or another form of permanent or temporary status. For more information on certified translation and who can translate for USCIS, visit our post on certified translations.

No, family members should not translate for other family members, that is, if the translation is an official translation for the US Federal Government. In fact, in some cases, the translator must swear to not be related to the holder of the document, as follows: “This document has not been translated by a family member, friend or business associate.”

No, there is no need to drive to our office and submit documents in person. We have official Spanish translators in the many cities, but we can help you no matter where you are located. For example, we have customers often from cities where we do not have translators, such as Anchorage, Alaska all the way to Waianae, Hawaii and Wahiawa, Hawaii. We even have customers in Sioux Falls, SD and Turner, Maine. Also, we are able to send translations via USPS to Alaska and Hawaii for only $12. In 2023, we had several dozen requests for translation services in Anchorage and a few requests in search of a certified translator in Honolulu.

If you’d like to know how much does document translation cost from French to English, it is the same as Spanish to English. We see birth certificates and marriage certificates all the time from Haiti, Ivory Coast, Togo, Morocco, Senegal, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, the Congo, Mauritania, Cameroon, Mali, France and Canada; the cost to translate from French is the same as Spanish, and our certified French translator is able to complete these documents quickly.

Southeast Spanish, Inc. is a registered, official translation agency, and we provide official translations to government agencies every day. We are certified translators, which is the same an official translator. The terminology is just different. Additionally, we have official translations for Spain, or Sworn Translation.

In some cases birth certificates from Puerto Rico that are written both in English and Spanish do in fact need to be translated. You would think not, but it really depends on who is requesting the document. Most of time, schools, colleges, and employers are okay with bilingual versions of vital records; however, DMV offices, government agencies and courts like to see the officially translated version. The translation cost is the same as other standard birth certificates.

Of course — mistakes happen. We have a two-stage process to avoid issues, but we do see a lot of handwritten and typed documents with smudges that are difficult to read, so if we make a mistake or something is not correct in the completed translation, just let us know. We always stand behind our work and want to make sure your document is accurate. We try to complete most updates within an hour or less. If we have already mailed your document, we will mail a new copy for your records free of charge.

Nationally the average document translation cost is around $0.15 per word throughout the United States. Southeast Spanish charges less than $0.10 per word in most cases. We provide all translation rates per word before beginning the project, we never outsource or use computer translation, and we keep our current translation rates around $0.10 per word for official, certified and notarized translation services. As we do not outsource, we are able to translate with much higher quality at a lower cost.

There are several misconceptions surrounding translation rates that can lead to misunderstandings and potentially affect the quality of the translation. Let’s debunk some common misconceptions:
1. “Translation should be cheap.” While cost is an important consideration, quality should not be compromised for the sake of saving money. Professional translators invest time and effort to provide accurate and culturally appropriate translations, which should be reflected in their rates.
2. “Machine translation is as good as human translation.” Although machine translation has made significant advancements, it still lacks the ability to fully comprehend context, idiomatic expressions, and cultural nuances. Professional translators bring the necessary expertise and cultural understanding to deliver high-quality translations.
3. “All translators charge the same rate.” Translation rates can vary significantly based on various factors, as discussed earlier. Each translator sets their own rates based on their expertise, experience, and market demand. It’s essential to consider these factors when evaluating quotes.
Understanding these misconceptions will help you make informed decisions when it comes to translation rates and ensure you receive the quality you expect.

Calculating translation rates per word is crucial to ensure transparency and fairness. Here’s a simple formula to calculate the cost: Translation Cost = Word Count Rate per Word. To calculate the word count, you can use tools like Microsoft Word’s word count feature or online word counters. Make sure to include all the text that needs to be translated, including headers, footnotes, and captions.
The rate per word will vary depending on the factors we discussed earlier. It’s important to consider the complexity of the text, language pair, and the translator’s expertise when determining the rate.
By using this formula, you can estimate the cost of your translation project and compare quotes from different translators or agencies.

When it comes to translation, quality is paramount. A poorly translated document can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunications, and even damage your brand’s reputation. Investing in high-quality translation services ensures accurate and culturally appropriate translations that resonate with your target audience. To ensure quality, professional translators follow a rigorous process that includes translation, editing, and proofreading. This multi-step approach helps catch any errors or inconsistencies and ensures a polished final product. When evaluating translation rates, it’s crucial to prioritize quality over cost. Choosing a translator solely based on the lowest rate may result in subpar translations that fail to meet your objectives. Remember, quality translations are an investment that pays off in the long run.

Now that we’ve covered the factors that influence translation rates, let’s explore the different pricing models commonly used in the translation industry.
1. Per Word: This is the most common pricing model, where the cost is calculated based on the number of words in the source text. The rate per word can vary depending on the language pair and other factors discussed earlier. We at Southeast Spanish, only quote/charge by word.
2. Per Hour: Some translators charge by the hour instead of per word. This model is often used for projects that require additional services, such as editing or proofreading, in addition to translation. The hourly rate is determined by the translator’s expertise and the complexity of the project.
3. Per Page: In certain cases, especially for projects with printed materials, translators may charge per page. However, it’s important to define the number of words per page to avoid any confusion.
4. Flat Rate: For larger projects or long-term collaborations, translators may offer a flat rate. This model provides more predictability and allows for better budgeting, especially when dealing with ongoing translation needs.
Understanding these pricing models will help you evaluate the quotes you receive and select the most suitable option for your specific requirements.

Translation rates can vary significantly depending on various factors such as language pair, complexity of the text, deadline, and translator’s expertise. Let’s delve into each factor to understand how they impact the cost of translation. When it comes to language pair, some languages are more commonly translated than others, leading to a difference in rates. For example, translating from English to Spanish may be more affordable compared to translating other languages.
The complexity of the text also plays a role in determining the translation rates. Highly technical or specialized content requires translators with expertise in the specific field, which can increase the cost. Additionally, if the text contains formatting elements, such as graphs or tables, that need to be accurately translated, it may require additional time and effort, resulting in higher rates.
Deadlines can also affect translation rates. Urgent projects often incur rush fees as translators may need to prioritize your project over others. It’s important to plan ahead and provide ample time for translation to avoid these additional charges.
Lastly, the expertise and experience of the translator impact the rates. Translators with specialized knowledge or certifications in a particular field may charge higher rates due to their expertise. It’s crucial to find a translator who not only understands the language pair but also has the necessary knowledge to accurately translate the content.

Yes, the NVC, or the National Visa Center states that documents written in languages other than English must be translated. Typically for the NVC, we translate birth certificates, marriage certificates and background checks. The NVC may ask you to translate other documents as well, depending on the particular visa requested from the National Visa Center.

On average, in the United States, translation per word costs around $0.15 per word for professional, certified translation. We typically charge less since we don’t outsource or use computer generated translation. Our average rates are around $0.10 per word for certified translation.

First, if you’re looking for an in-person Spanish translator, you will need to search for an interpreter, not a translator. If you need to know how much a Spanish translator costs, the answer is based on the word-count. US based certified translators typically charge $0.09 to $0.15 for an official translation, which is also known as certified translation.