Document Translation

Even if you do not use translation services on a regular basis, it’s reasonable to assume that from time to time, you will encounter the need to translate your professional or official certificates, and here’s where we come into the picture.

When are translations needed for official documents and certificates?

Translating certificates to and from Hebrew are generally an inseparable part of working with government authorities or official institutions in foreign countries, where countries need to be able to recognize official approvals given outside their borders.

There are many situations in which you will be asked to translate official documents, mainly anything having to do with travel, higher education acquired abroad, relocation or business abroad, but not only; for instance, if you have studied medicine abroad and upon returning to Israel you want your medical education to be recognized in Israel, the State will ask you to translate your diploma to Hebrew and even have it notarized.

Similarly, if you are planning to get your graduate degree abroad, it’s likely that the administration of the university you wish to be accepted at will ask you to translate your grade sheet and your diploma from Hebrew to English. In this case as well, you may be asked to notarize the documents in order to prove the translation’s credibility.

So what should you do? Contact us, of course!

With some 60 years of accumulated experience, an excellent and professional translation team and the ability to connect you with a notary public who will confirm the translation, we are undoubtedly the best choice for anyone seeking to translate documents and official certificates without problems or worries.

As official documents and certificates need to be as accurate as possible, translators need to understand the meaning of the terms involved and to take particular care with every word and detail. With us you’ll find the best, most professional and most meticulous translators, with decades of experience in the field, allowing you to focus on what’s really important and take one worry off your mind.

What certificates are usually translated?

Honestly, this is a very long list, including, among other things:ID cards, citizenship certificates, name change certificates, drivers licenses, vehicle licenses, passports, temporary resident papers, residence permit, visas, marriage certificates, single status certificates, divorce certificates, birth certificates, death certificates, summaries of Bureau of Population registries, summaries of criminal records, certificates of good conduct, discharge papers, corporate registration certificates, authorized proprietor certificate, bookkeeping confirmations, changes of company names, income confirmations, bank account management confirmations, high school diplomas, academic titles, college diplomas, professional certificates, training certificates, citizenship requests, student visa requests, estate executor confirmations, sworn affidavits and more.

What is notarization and why to we need it?

In Israel, a notary public is a lawyer who has been tested and approved to serve in this capacity by the Ministry of Justice – and only after the Notary Licensing Committee has confirmed that the candidate is an Israeli resident with at least 10 years’ practical experience as a lawyer and a member of the bar association and meeting additional requirements posed by the Committee.

As you must surely understand, only a small handful of lawyers are selected for this important and respected position each year. Those certified as notaries public constitute an authority before the court authorities and have the power to verify the originality of documents, verify signatures, approve the translation of any document and verify the identity of those signing it.

There are two types of notary confirmations for translations: The first is a confirmation based on a statement by the translator before the notary public that they performed the translation in a manner faithful to the original, and the second is a notary confirmation based on the notary’s own familiarity with the target language, which they speak at a mother tongue level. Note: There are few notaries public who do this, and therefore its is important that you ascertain what sort of confirmation is best for you. You don’t want to fly to Australia, for instance, and find out that the Australian authorities are refusing to accept a document confirmed by a notary public with a translator’s statement only, without a full understanding of the English language.

The notary’s seal is unique and must be issued by hand. From the moment the seal has been imprinted – in bright red with a red ribbon tying the original document and the translation together – it is impossible to separate the documents, and opening the ribbon is equivalent to cancelling the notary confirmation. Therefore it is very important to ask for copies of the notarization in advance if you need them (for instance, for a number of different institutions).

What else do you need to know about translated certificates and documents?

If you need to translate official certificates and documents, you should also know that the services provided by the law firms and notaries public include apostille services (approval given by a certified state authority) and Foreign Ministry apostille services. As there is a broad variety of services offered for all sorts of needs, we strongly recommend that you clarify the requirements of the institution to which you are applying – whether in Israel or abroad. It’s best to do the research even before contacting a translator, in order to make sure that you receive exactly what you need. We, of course, will be happy to help you throughout the entire process and refer you to the notaries public best suited to you and your needs.

Why should I choose Hever Translations?

As you probably understand, translating documents and certificates is no trivial matter. Over the years, we have accumulated extensive experience in all types of translations, and we have established an array that includes over 2,500 experienced professional translators. We know that often there is a need for an urgent translation or unique graphic preparations, and therefore we have established ourselves as a “one stop shop”, saving you from the need to shuttle between different professionals.

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