Legal translation services are required when a document, or documents, are used in an international legal setting where more than one language is in use. This could be a negotiation between two businesses or concerning a civil issue that crosses borders. They differ from generic legal translation services in that nuance, jargon, and even turn of phrase can have very different connotations and repercussions for the outcome of a negotiation or case.
It is therefore vital to ensure that such translations are carried out with attention to detail and care to ensure a misconstruing of language doesn’t leave you exposed. Examples of legal documents that might require a certified translation include:
- Adoption papers
- Affidavits
- Birth Certificates
- Marriage Certificates
- Confidentiality agreements
- Contracts
- Court documents
- Criminal Records
- Divorce papers
- Education documents
- Employment documents
- Immigration forms
- Litigation documents
- Patents
- Premarital agreements
- Terms & Conditions
- Wills & Testaments
- Witness statements
Cost of Legal Translation in Ireland
Several factors influence the cost of certified document translation services in Ireland. These include the document’s size, the languages involved, the level of urgency, the subject matter, and other considerations. We will explore these aspects in detail later in this article. At Certif.ie, we aim to provide unmatched value for certified translation services in Ireland. Unlike many competing agencies, Certif.ie’s pricing model is based on page count rather than word count (averaging approximately 9 cent per word on average).
We pride ourselves in operating an easy-to-navigate service that allows for hassle-free online submission of documents. To obtain a quote, simply email us a picture of the document requiring translation (or send it to us through WhatsApp or Messenger). Additionally, our website features an upload option for your convenience. Certif.ie also presents a specialised service facilitated by proficient translators well-versed in the linguistic intricacies essential for specific domains, including civil document translation, legal document translation, financial document translation, technical document translation, and more. Delve into the realm of Certified Translation Services with us.
There are, however, various factors that will affect the cost of translating your document, as we shall now explore.
11 Reasons Why the Cost of Legal Translations Vary
Language scarcity
The scarcity of the language will affect the cost of translating a document to/from it. For example, there are about 96.8 million native German speakers on the planet. There are only about 6.5 million speakers of Flemish. Therefore, supply and demand dictate that a legal translation to or from German will generally cost less than a legal translation to or from Flemish. It should also be noted that cases, where a language is widely spoken, do not always correlate to it having plenty of translators, let alone ones specialised in legal translations. Again, a language that has plenty of specialised legal translators is generally going to cost less than one with few.
Language difficulty
Some languages are generally considered to be more difficult to learn than others. Examples of these include Arabic, Chinese, and Russian, which also include specific characters that must be learned in addition to the language itself. As such, translation costs for these will tend to be higher than languages considered more straightforward to learn and without specific letters, e.g., French or Italian. In the case of legal translations, the costs may be higher still owing to specialised terminology required, which adds another level of difficulty.
Language pairing
As discussed above, some languages are considered to be more difficult and complex to learn than others, while some are also less common. Therefore, the pairing of languages in a given translation will be affected by these factors, particularly if both languages are complex or have a translator scarcity. Put simply, the scarcer and more difficult the language pairing, the higher the translation costs. The fact that legal translation requires a bespoke level of nuance and understanding only adds to this cost.
Deadline/Urgency
On occasions, clients might require expedited document translation beyond the agency’s usual processing time. Given the supplementary resources and extended hours essential to ensure a thorough and accurate translation and proofreading within the constrained time frame, an additional fee becomes necessary in such instances.
Size or volume of the document/Word count
Naturally, the size or volume of the document in need of translation will play a role in determining the cost of your certified translation. Obviously, translating a 50-page document will entail greater expenses compared to translating a 20-page document. Unlike numerous agencies that calculate charges based on word count, Certif.ie employs a page-count system.
Complex sentence structures
Legalese often involves more complex sentence structures than you might in other prose or writing. This is compounded when you translate these sentences into another language, as extreme care and attention to detail must be applied to retain the integrity and meaning of the original translation. This necessitates nuance and an experienced understanding of the legal situation to which the document is being applied. As such, the price of such a translation will be higher than that of a more generic translation.
Complex legal jargon
In legalese, the jargon and phrasing used can have different meanings depending on how it is applied. It is of great importance, therefore, that any translation of the same is handled with care and diligence, for the slightest change to a phrase or word can change the meaning of the document—with potentially negative repercussions. Again, only an experienced legal translator should be employed for such a translation and this will affect the cost.
Expertise and confidentiality
As we have discussed above, the slightest change to a word or phrase in a legal document can have major repercussions. Nuance is everything when it comes to legal documents, and any translations of legal documents must be carried out by translators experienced not only in the given languages but also in the areas of law to which the documents apply. This means that you will pay more than you would for a more generic document translation, but given the context (and possible outcome) having an experienced legal translator is essential so that you don’t leave yourself potentially exposed with a less thorough translation.
Confidentiality and trust are a must when choosing a translator for your legal documents, one is proficient in legal jargon and the complex sentence structures involved in legalese. At Certif.ie, all our translators sign a confidentiality agreement, so you can rest assured that your documents will be handled respectfully and carefully.
The size of the team required to undertake the translation
A complex legal translation will likely require more resources (experienced translators, editors, proofreaders, etc.). While this will naturally be reflected in the translation cost, in a legal setting, you cannot afford to compromise on quality and integrity; if you choose a single inexperienced translator, what you save on translation cost will pale in comparison to the costly ramifications a misconstrued legal translation can have for you or your business.
The Translation Company’s Location
The cost of a legal translation can even be influenced by the translator’s geographical location. Diverse regions across the world have varying costs of living, which naturally affects the wages and rates offered to translators.
Project Requirements
While generally speaking, legal translations pertain only to the translation of the document itself, in some instances, this may also require the translation of additional elements such as illustrations, infographics, charts, tables, videos, etc. These may add to the cost of your legal translation as they may require the use of additional resources, for example, graphic designers, specialised editing software, etc.
Why Choose Certif for your Legal Translation Needs?
- Certif.ie is Ireland’s premier certified translation service provider for several reasons:
- Our pricing strategy is both economical and transparent, setting charges based on page count instead of word count, setting us apart from other agencies.
- We boast unparalleled delivery speeds, setting the benchmark in the market.
- If you discover a faster delivery option at a lower cost, we pledge to beat that price by 10%.
- Translation commences immediately upon receipt of payment.
- We ensure the punctual delivery of your translated document within the agreed timeframe.
- Once you accept our translation quote, no hidden or extra charges will catch you off guard.
- We accommodate certified translation requirements for over 150 languages.
- For those seeking expedited services, express turnaround options are available for an additional fee.
- Our certified translation service is highly specialised, tailored to your specific needs rather than being a one-size-fits-all solution.
- Every one of our translators undergoes a rigorous vetting process and holds a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Translation Studies, or a related field.
- Our teams specialise in the intricate nuances of civil documents, legal documents, technical documents, financial documents, and more.
- Many of our translators are native speakers of the languages they work with, ensuring authentic and accurate translations.
- Our commitment to rapid delivery remains unparalleled in the market.
- All our translators go through stringent vetting procedures to ensure quality and reliability.
- Your document and data confidentiality is treated with respect and care, guaranteed by confidentiality agreements signed by all our translators.
- We fully comply with GDPR, ensuring the highest standards of data protection.
- Our certified translations meet the stringent requirements set by various governmental bodies in Ireland.
- We prioritise customer convenience, offering multiple channels for document submission, including email, our website, WhatsApp, and Messenger, eliminating the need for physical visits.
- Translated documents are available in both digital and physical formats to suit your needs.
- Should you require notarisation for international use, our notarization service is readily available.
- We offer a variety of secure payment methods for your convenience.
- We remain committed to surpassing the competition, promising to beat any lower-priced, faster delivery option by 10%.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a translation fee per 1000 words?
On average, you can expect to pay roughly 9c per 1000 words, but this can vary depending on the ancillary work involved in preparing the translation. Certif.ie charges by page rather than by word, and thus offers a more cost-effective document translation service than the competition.
Can I translate a document and have it notarised?
Yes, Certif.ie can arrange to have your legal document translated and notarised for use in another country. We can also arrange for an Apostille to be affixed to the translated document by a given country’s embassy.
What is the average translation fee per hour?
On average, document translation fees tend to cost around €25 per hour.
What is legal translation vs. translation?
Legal translation is a translation for legal purposes, e.g. court proceedings. Translation is the act of rendering a document in a form similar to the original but in a new language.
Can I translate a document and have it notarised?
Yes, absolutely and Certif can organise for your document to be notarised.
Can anyone translate legal documents?
State and non-state bodies will require a legal translation to have been carried out by a recognised translation company, and they will not accept a self-translated document.
How do you translate a legal document?
Send it to us, and one of our accredited translators will translate, following which we certify and send it out to the customer.
Do you need permission to translate?
You need to be a qualified translator, which in Ireland usually means having a minimum bachelor’s degree in language, linguistics, or a related field.
Do I need to translate before the apostille?
No, there’s no requirement for the translation to be carried out before the Apostille.
Do translators have a copyright over the translation?
No, translators do not have a copyright over the document translation.
Can you use Google Translate for legal documents?
No, you cannot use Google Translate for legal documents. State and non-state agencies require legal translations to be carried out by a recognised translation agency.
