FAQ
What is the difference between a sworn and a notarized translation?
A sworn translation carries the signature and stamp of a translator who has taken an oath before a notary, and many official institutions accept it as it is. In a notarized translation, the translator's signature is additionally certified at the notary and the document receives an official certification annotation. Which one you need depends on the institution you will submit the document to; tell us the institution and we determine the right route together.
How do I know whether my document needs an apostille?
An apostille is the international certification that makes a document officially recognized in another country. If you will use the document in a country party to the Hague Convention, an apostille is usually required; for non-party countries, consular legalization comes into play instead. Just tell us which country and institution the document is going to — we check the requirement for you.
Which comes first — the apostille or the translation?
It varies by country: some require the document to be apostilled first and then translated, others the reverse. Proceeding in the wrong order can mean starting the whole process over. Tell us the destination country and we determine the correct order.
Can I send my documents digitally?
Yes. You can attach your document to the quote form as a PDF or send it over WhatsApp. For most jobs a clear scan or photo is enough for the initial review; we let you know whether the original is needed depending on the type of procedure.
How do I receive my translated document?
Printed documents are delivered to your address by courier across Istanbul; if you wish, a scanned copy is sent by e-mail first. We settle the delivery method and address together at the quote stage.
Which languages do you work with?
We translate in more than 20 languages covering European, Middle Eastern and Turkic languages, led by English, German, Russian and Arabic; the full list is on our Languages page. You can also write to us about a pair that is not listed — where needed we solve it with two-stage translation.
How is the confidentiality of my documents ensured?
Your documents are seen only by the translator assigned to the file and the second translator who checks it; they are not shared with third parties. Uploaded files cannot be reached through any public link. Upon your request, your documents are deleted once the job is complete.
How quickly can I receive urgent work?
Turnaround depends on the volume of the job, the document type and the language pair; for urgent cases same-day delivery may also be possible. If you tell us about the urgency up front, we plan the process accordingly. In every case, a firm delivery date is given at the quote stage after your document is reviewed.