Case studies: NAATI certified translation

What is a sworn translator, and is that the same as NAATI?

Several civil-law countries appoint sworn or court-appointed translators whose translations carry legal force domestically. Australia does not use a sworn translator system; the reference point for Australian bodies is NAATI certification. A sworn translation from another country is not automatically accepted in Australia and often has to be redone.

My document already has a translation from my home country. Can you just certify it?

A NAATI certified translator certifies their own work. An existing translation can be reviewed and, if it is accurate, reissued under certification — but the translator must take responsibility for the whole text, so the review is not a rubber stamp and is sometimes no faster than translating afresh.

Will the layout of the translation match the original?

A certified translation reproduces the structure of the source: headings, tables, seals, stamps and signatures are described in place so the reader can match every element to the original. Nothing is added, removed or summarised.

What if the receiving body queries the translation?

Send us the query in writing. Where the issue comes from our translation or certification format we correct and reissue at no charge. We cannot influence the decision on your application — we are a translation provider, not a registered migration agent.

Do you need my documents legalised before translating?

Not for the translation itself. But if the receiving body requires legalisation or an apostille on the original, that step should normally happen before the final translation so the certificate is captured in the translated set. Confirm the order of steps before starting.

Source: Department of Consular Affairs, MFA Thailand

Does a certified translation have to reproduce stamps and handwriting?

Yes. Everything that carries meaning on the page is rendered: printed text, seals, stamps, handwritten annotations, signature blocks and anything struck through. Where a mark is unreadable the translator notes it as illegible rather than guessing, because inventing content is what makes a translation unusable.

What happens if my document is bilingual already?

A document that already carries an official English column may still need certified translation of the Thai-only parts — seals, endorsements and issuing notes are often Thai only. Send the full page and we tell you whether any translation is needed at all before you commit to anything.

Can you translate a document that has been amended by hand?

Yes, and the amendment is rendered as it appears, with a translator note identifying it as a handwritten alteration. Do not tidy the original before scanning: an authority comparing the translation with the source expects them to match line for line.