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Certified vs Legal Translation: What’s the Difference?
Confused between certified and legal translation? Learn the key differences, use cases, and which type you need for embassy, court, or official purposes in Egypt.
What’s the Difference Between Certified and Legal Translation?
Many expats, students, and professionals in Egypt wonder:
“Do I need a certified translation or a legal one?”
Although both are official, there’s a clear difference between the two—and choosing the wrong type can delay your application or make your documents unacceptable.
1. What Is a Certified Translation?
A certified translation is:
Done by a professional translation office.
Stamped with a certification that confirms the translation is accurate and complete.
Includes the translator’s or office’s seal and contact information.
Accepted by embassies, universities, ministries, and private companies.
Common Uses:
Visa applications (Schengen, Canada, UK, etc.).
Academic transcripts and diplomas.
Marriage, birth, or death certificates.
Medical reports or police clearance certificates.
In Egypt, certified translations are required for any foreign document submitted to official authorities.
2. What Is a Legal Translation?
A legal translation goes a step further:
It involves translating documents with legal content, such as contracts, court rulings, power of attorney, or business laws.
Requires a translator with legal knowledge and terminology expertise.
May need to follow specific formatting required by lawyers, courts, or notaries.
Common Uses:
Real estate contracts.
Articles of incorporation and company bylaws.
Court judgments or legal disputes.
Notarized declarations.
Legal translation doesn’t always need to be certified unless requested by the authority receiving the document.
Certified vs Legal: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Certified Translation | Legal Translation |
| Has stamp/seal? | Yes | Sometimes |
| Used for embassies? | Yes | Yes |
| Legal terminology? | No | Yes |
| Translator must be legally trained? | No | Yes |
| Required for contracts and lawsuits? | Rarely | Always |
| Can be notarized? | Optional | Often required |
How COT Translation Services Helps
At COT, we offer both types of translations—handled by experts:
Certified translations for embassies, foreign universities, or public authorities.
Legal translations done by trained linguists and reviewed by legal professionals.
Fully compliant with Egyptian and international standards.
Used and accepted by the French, German, Dutch, Japanese, and Gulf embassies.
FAQs
How do I know which one I need?
We help you decide based on your document’s content and its intended use. Contact us with a photo or sample!
Can a certified translation also be legal?
Yes—some legal documents also require certification. We provide both in one document when needed.
Are certified translations accepted abroad?
Yes—our certified translations are accepted by embassies and universities worldwide.
Need Help Choosing the Right Type of Translation?
Don’t waste time or money on the wrong format. Let our team guide you to the correct and accepted translation solution.
Call Us or Send the document via WhatsApp
Visit: www.cottranslation.com
Branches: Maadi – Downtown – Mohandessin
COT – Trusted by Embassies, Lawyers, and Clients Worldwide.
