How to make certified translations of official documents

Disclaimer: No responsibility for using this document (or otherwise not using it) is assumed whatsoever.

Here is a simple way to prepare certified translations of official documents. Worked for me on all occasions in different foreign consulates and universities in North America and elsewhere, but not guaranteed to work for you. You will only need a friend fluent in both languages and with a proper identification (passport or a Driver's License).

1. Prepare a translation. (A possibility is to print the translation on the reverse of a xerox copy of the original document.) At the bottom of the page, add a clause like this (on behalf of your bilingual friend, Karl Ivanovich, who will sign the translation):

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   I, Karl Ivanovich Shusterling, residing 1234 Stierlitz Place, New York, NY 10027, USA, hereby declare that I have a sufficient knowledge of English and Russian languages, and certify the above translation [of the Marriage Certificate??] [from Russian??] as true and correct in all respects.

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   Examples:
   • certified translation of a Russian Birth Certificate: LaTeX, PDF.
   • certified translation of a Russian Divorce Certificate: LaTeX, PDF.
   • certified translation of a Russian Marriage Certificate: LaTeX, PDF.
   • certified translation of a Russian Death Certificate: LaTeX, PDF.
   • certified translation of a Russian Marriage Certificate into German: LaTeX, PDF.
2. Find a notary or someone with notarial powers (with a notarial stamp):
   • You can simply ask for this small favor the clerks at a local branch of your favorite bank (just tell them you have an account there).
   • Or ask at your place of work (at the payroll department??)
   • Or check the phone listing for Notary Public.
3. Ask your friend to sign this clause in front of a notary; the notary will then notarize the signature. (The notary will write something like Sworn before me in the City of New York on September 25, 2006, will sign and apply a notary's stamp.)
4. If you did not print the translation on the reverse side of the copy of the original document, you may staple the certified translation to the copy of the original document (unless you want a clerk at a Consulate or wherever to do it for you).

Written by Andrew Comech