Certified and notarized translations for apostille, USCIS, legal,
academic, and personal documents — provided by ATA-qualified
translators with expertise across multiple languages.
USCIS-accepted certified translations — no notary signature
required
ATA-Qualified TranslatorsAccepted by USCIS
directly
Notarized TranslationsRequired for apostille
submissions
7+ LanguagesSpanish, French, German & more
Online & RemoteUpload documents from anywhere
Certified vs. Notarized Translations — What's the Difference?
One of the most common points of confusion when requesting a
translation for official use is understanding which type of
translation your document actually requires. The answer depends
entirely on where the translated document will be submitted.
Certified Translation
Certified Translation
A certified translation includes a signed statement from the
translator attesting that the translation is accurate and
complete to the best of their knowledge. When performed by an
ATA-qualified translator, it is accepted directly by USCIS and
many other U.S. authorities.
Signed certification statement from the translator
ATA-qualified translators — accepted by USCIS
No notary public signature required for USCIS submissions
Faster and more straightforward for immigration use
Use for: USCIS immigration filings, most U.S.
government submissions, university admissions, professional
credential evaluations
Notarized Translation
Notarized Translation
A notarized translation includes certification by the
translator plus notarization by a Florida notary public. The
notary attests to the translator's identity and signature —
adding a layer of official authentication recognized by
courts, foreign authorities, and apostille submissions.
Translator certification plus notarial seal and signature
Required when the document will be submitted for apostille
Accepted by Florida courts and official bodies
Necessary for certain legal proceedings and cross-border
transactions
Use for: Apostille submissions, Florida court
filings, international legal proceedings, official documents
requiring extra authentication
If you are unsure which type you need, contact us with your
document and its intended use — we will confirm the correct
approach before proceeding.
Translation Services We Provide
Our team of qualified translators handles a comprehensive range of
document types across legal, personal, academic, and business
domains.
Personal DocumentsBirth, marriage, and divorce certificates; passports; ID
documents
Legal DocumentsContracts, court documents, powers of attorney,
affidavits
Academic RecordsSchool and university transcripts, diplomas, academic
certificates
Business & CorporateContracts, company filings, authorization documents,
marketing materials
USCIS Immigration DocumentsATA-certified translations accepted directly by USCIS — no
notary required
Apostille-Ready TranslationsNotarized translations prepared specifically for apostille
submission
Languages Available
Our professional translator team is based across multiple
countries and covers a wide range of language combinations.
Locally in Tallahassee, we offer direct translation between
English and Spanish — the highest-demand language
pair in our area.
Spanish ↔ English
French
Italian
German
Portuguese
Romanian
Additional languages and combinations available — contact us
to confirm your language pair
Why Choose Professional Translation Services
ATA-qualified translators ensure accuracy,
fluency, and compliance with USCIS and other submission
standards
Notarized translations available for
documents requiring apostille authentication or submission to
courts and official bodies
Cultural nuance and context preserved — not just literal
word-for-word output
Rigorous quality review for accuracy and fluency before
delivery
Online submissions accepted — upload your document remotely
without visiting in person
Transparent pricing with direct communication — no surprise
fees or unnecessary delays
Translation + Apostille — handled together
Many destination countries require a certified translation
alongside the apostille certificate. Because MK Notary handles
both translation and apostille submission, you don't need to
coordinate between two separate providers. We confirm
translation requirements for your specific destination country
before beginning.
What is the difference between a certified and a notarized
translation?
A certified translation includes a signed statement from the
translator attesting to accuracy — required for USCIS and many
official U.S. submissions. A notarized translation adds a
notary public's seal and signature, attesting to the
translator's identity and signature. Notarized translations
are required for apostille submissions and certain legal or
court proceedings. If you're unsure which type you need, tell
us your document and intended use and we'll confirm.
Are your translations accepted by USCIS?
Yes. Our translations are performed by ATA-qualified
translators and include the required certification statement.
USCIS accepts ATA-certified translations directly — no notary
public signature is required for USCIS submissions. This is
one of the key advantages of working with an ATA-qualified
translator rather than an uncertified translation service.
Do I need a notarized translation for apostille?
Yes — if the translation is going to be used alongside an
apostille, a notarized translation is required. The Florida
Department of State (which issues apostilles) requires
documents to have proper notarization before authentication.
We coordinate the translation and notarization steps so that
the translated document is fully prepared for apostille
submission.
What languages do you translate?
We offer translations between Spanish, English, French,
Italian, German, Portuguese, Romanian, and many additional
language combinations. Locally in Tallahassee, our
professional translator staff provides direct English ↔
Spanish translation. For other language pairs, our team based
in various countries handles your request. Contact us to
confirm availability for your specific language combination.
Can I submit my document online for translation?
Yes. You can conveniently upload your document remotely for
translation without visiting in person. Our online process
allows you to submit your document and receive the completed
translation electronically. Contact us to begin the process
and we'll provide instructions for your specific document
type.
Do you provide translation for school transcripts?
Yes. We translate school and university transcripts, diplomas,
academic certificates, and other educational records. For
transcripts that will be used alongside an apostille for
international submission, we provide notarized translations
and can handle the complete apostille preparation and
submission process as well.
