How Much Does a Certified Translation Cost?
![](https://africalocalize.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/How-Much-Does-a-Certified-Translation-Cost-1.jpg)
As businesses, individuals, and organizations expand globally, the need for certified translations is becoming more prevalent.
Certified translations are vital for ensuring communication between different businesses and organizations.
They are translations that have been reviewed and authenticated by a professional translator.
In this article, we will explore in-depth what goes into determining the cost of a certified translation and provide insights into finding an affordable yet reliable translation provider.
But what is a certified translation?
It is a type of translation that is often required for official documents, such as legal documents, academic transcripts, and medical records.
Factors that Affect the Cost of a Certified Translation
The cost of a certified translation can vary significantly depending on a number of factors, such as:
- The language pair involved: Translations between more common languages, such as English and Spanish, will typically be less expensive than translations between less common languages.
- The complexity of the source text: A complex document with technical jargon will require more time and effort to translate, and will therefore be more expensive.
- The turnaround time required: If you need a certified translation quickly, you will likely pay a premium.
- Document length: The longer the document, the more time it will take to translate and certify, so the higher the cost.
- Translator’s experience and qualifications: Experienced and qualified translators typically charge more than less experienced translators.
Pricing Models for Certified Translations
Pricing models for certified translations vary depending on the language pair and the type of certification.
There are three different pricing models for certified translations :
1- The most common pricing model is per-word pricing.
Under this model, the translator charges a set price per word of the translated document. The price per word varies depending on the language pair, the complexity of the paper, and the translator’s experience.
2- Another pricing model is hourly pricing.
Under this model, the translator charges a set rate per hour for the translating time. This pricing model is typically used for large or complex documents, where estimating the number of words in advance is difficult.
3- Finally, some translators offer project-based pricing.
Under this model, the translator charges a fixed price for the entire translation project. This pricing model is typically used for small or simple documents, where the cost of translation can be easily estimated.
Average Certified Translation Rates
As we mentioned above Certified translation rates will vary widely depending on the language pair, subject matter, and document length.
We can say that on average, certified translation rates range from $0.08 to $0.20 per word for standard documents with a turnaround time of 3-4 business days.
For example, a translation of a legal document will typically cost more than a translation of a marketing brochure, and you can expect to pay anywhere from $0.10 – $0.18 per word for English-Chinese translations, and between $0.11 – $0.22 per word for English-Japanese translations.
In addition, If there are rush orders or specialized subject matter can increase these rates significantly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you now have sufficient knowledge about what the cost of certified translation is, and that there are several factors and differences that may affect its pricing radically, as mentioned above.
If you are interested in knowing the cost of certified translation with Africa Localize, contact us and get our free quote.