Become a Certified Translator. Get Certified as a Translator.
You want to become a Certified Translator? What do you need to do?
Certified Translators work with written text. You need to be certified in at least one language pair. A pair, such as Spanish<>English, that you translate from and into, dependent upon the specific project at hand. For most immigration and other government processes, one of the pairs needs to include English. If you have English as one of the languages in your language proficiency pairs, you can proceed with confidence that your translation will meet government quality standards. These standards include understandability, and the requirement to be completed by a human (not AI). Listing your credentials in such matters is invaluable. They demonstrate your proficiency as a professional translator. Credentials from an accepted authoritative certifying organization for such matters, demonstrates your skills.
Join an Accredited Association
As an individual member, I can personally recommend getting certified by the U.S.A. Translators Association (the U.S. A.T.A.). They are a growing Association of Translators by Translators. Initially they were known in the last century as the American Translators Society (ATS). Unlike many other translation organizations, they are not full of bureaucracy and exorbitant fees. The U.S. A.T.A. focus is on actual translation. This means membership affordability for real translators who actually translate for a living. You can join up for a year (365 /366 days, a full year, not just till the end of year!). You get listed in their nationwide directory as a linguist after joining.
Get Certified in a Language Pair
Display your proficiency in your language pair(s) publicly. There are individual language proficiency certification packages that can then be purchased. Just $95 a pair at time of writing (much less than others!). When you purchase a new certification, a written exam (online) is scheduled. Alternatively, you can submit an example of your translation. A previous translation is acceptable, preferably side-by-side. After reviewed and approved is a Pass. If you already hold certification from some other association, the U.S. A.T.A. allows for certification transfer to their database and directory. This is also less than new certification, $45. What I really like is that it is just a 1-time process/fee. After you know a language you don’t usually forget it! You just need to renew membership to keep the listing publicly available. There are no new testing or other fees required once your language pair proficiency is certified.
I have found that the U.S. A.T.A. certification is generally accepted by any government agency requiring a certified translator, as well as most state DMV offices.
There are of course some entities that may require a different type, “kickback” organization approval, or a local translator from a ”list” some state agencies have. However, in general, I have found the U.S. A.T.A. certification to be sufficient for everything language certification is generally needed for; including employment as a translator, with credential attestation through publicly available credentials.
Their handy Member Verification tool (web or app access) instantly shows your name and certifications by inputting your unique membership number, by anyone wanting to verify your credentials.
In summary, to get Certified as a Translator:
First step: Join the U.S.A. Translators Association (the U.S. A.T.A.). Individual Linguist if you a personal translator.
Second: Choose a language pair for proficiency certification: new or transfer if already certified) from the Member Store you get access to after a member.
Third: Once your language proficiency is accepted/approved or transferred, you will get your name in lights: the Membership Directory, with a Membership ID you can use on any translations, such as by using a U.S. A.T.A. stamp or seal or digital certificate, including your membership number, that your clients can independently verify.
If any questions, their support team is available during all working hours.
Have a Great Day!
About the Author
I am CTO and Director at U.S.A. Translators Association, Inc, for over 25 years. I also lead a team of professional translators and proofreaders at Ultra Translate. We have translated many birth certificates, marriage certificates, driver licenses, diplomas over the years and we are very current with all government regulations for official certification and notarization. We handle all Spanish, Portuguese, French, Chinese, Japanese translations.