Do my documents need to be translated into English to be notarised? (with examples)

It's important to check with the authority which will receive your documents, that they are in the language of the intended destination country or translated into that language. If the document requires the Notary to sign or write a jurat verifying that the Notary has explained the document to you or that you understand its contents, or if an overseas document, Notarised by a foreign Notary Public, is required by Australian institutions such as the Australian Department of Home Affairs or Australian Universities, then the document should be in English or translated into English.

The translation can be arranged before or after your document has been notarised by our notary public, depending on your specific requirements. If there is uncertainty, consult with us or the intended destination country regarding their requirements or preferences.

If your document is written in a language other than English but needs to be used in Australia, then it is probable that you will need to have it translated by a NAATI-accredited translator. NAATI-accredited translators are recognised for translations in Australia, but their recognition by other countries may vary. If you need an Australian document to be used overseas, you may need to consult the intended destination country regarding their specific translation requirements.

a visual representation of multilingual greetings and notarised translation. The languages represented include English (Hello), Spanish (Hola), French (Bonjour), German (Hallo), Russian (привет), Arabic (مرحبا), Japanese (こんにちは), and Swedish (Hallå)

Example #1
Applying to an Australian College with a Foreign Diploma

Scenario: You have completed your high school education in Brazil and now wish to apply for an undergraduate program at an Australian college.

Document: Your Brazilian high school diploma.

Requirements:

1. Translation:
A certified translator must translate the Brazilian diploma into English. This ensures that the Australian college can understand and verify your educational qualifications.

2. Notarisation:
After translation, the document and its translation must be notarised by a notary public in Brazil. The notary public may also attest that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original diploma.

3. Certified Copies:
Many institutions also require certified copies of both the original diploma and the translated version. These can be certified by a notary public or another authorised official.

4. Verification:
Some Australian colleges may also require further verification, such as an apostille or authentication from the country of origin, to confirm the diploma's authenticity.

Steps to Follow:

1. Obtain a Certified Translation:Have your Brazilian high school diploma translated into English by a certified translator.

2. Notarise the Documents:
Take the original diploma, the English translation, and any required copies to a notary public in Brazil. The notary will notarise the copy of the Diploma and translation, confirming that it accurately represents the original document.

3. Submit to College:
Submit the notarised translation along with any other required documents (such as notarised copies of ID, English test results, etc) to the admissions office of the Australian college to which you are applying.

Outcome:
The Australian college will be able to review your educational qualifications in English, facilitating the admission process and allowing you to be considered for acceptance in the desired program. By following these steps, you ensure that your foreign diploma is properly translated, notarised, and recognised by the Australian educational institution, enabling you to pursue your studies in Australia.

Example #2
Applying to a Japanese University with an Australian High School Diploma

Scenario: You have completed your high school education in Australia and wish to apply for an undergraduate program at a university in Japan.

Document: Australian high school diploma.

Requirements:

1. Translation:
The Australian high school diploma must be translated into Japanese by a certified translator. This ensures that the Japanese university can understand and verify your educational qualifications.

2. Notarisation:
The original Australian high school diploma and its Japanese translation must be notarised. This process involves a notary public attesting to the authenticity of the original document and the translation.

3. Certification:
After notarisation, you might also need to obtain further certification, such as an apostille, to authenticate the document for international use. This step is often required by Japanese institutions to ensure the legitimacy of foreign documents.

Steps to Follow:

1. Obtain the Original Document:Ensure you have your original Australian high school diploma.

2. Translation:
Have the high school diploma translated into Japanese by a certified translator. Make sure the translator is recognized by Japanese authorities.

3. Certification of Translation:
The translator should provide a certification that confirms the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original document.

4. Notarisation:
Take the original diploma and the Japanese translation to a notary public in Australia. The notary public will verify and notarise both the original document and the translation.

5. Apostille (if required):
Submit the notarised documents to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to obtain an apostille. This step authenticates the notarisation for use in Japan.

6. Submission:
Submit the notarised diploma, the certified Japanese translation, and any required apostilled documents as part of your application to the Japanese university.

Outcome:
The Japanese university will be able to review your educational qualifications in Japanese, ensuring that your application meets their requirements for admission. By following these steps, you ensure that your Australian high school diploma is properly translated, notarised, and authenticated for submission to a Japanese university, facilitating your admission process.

Example #3
Applying for an Australian Student Visa with Chinese Documents

Scenario: You are a Chinese citizen applying for an Australian student visa. As part of your application, you need to submit your Chinese academic transcripts.

Document: Chinese academic transcripts

Requirements:

1. Translation:
The academic transcripts must be translated into English by a certified translator. This is required because the Australian Department of Home Affairs requires all documents to be in English.

2. Notarisation:
The original documents need to be notarised by a notary public in China. The notarisation attests to the authenticity of the original documents.

After translation, the translated documents might also need to be certified by the translator.

3. Certification and Apostille:
In some cases, the Australian authorities may require the notarised documents to be apostilled. An apostille is a certification that verifies the authenticity of the notarisation for international use.

Steps to Follow:

1. Obtain the Original Documents:Ensure you have your original academic transcripts and police clearance certificate from the relevant Chinese authorities.

2. Notarisation in China:
Take the original documents to a notary public in China. The notary public will verify and notarise these documents, confirming their authenticity.

3. Translation
Have the notarised documents translated into English by a certified translator. Make sure the translator is recognised by Australian authorities or is an accredited professional.

4. Certification of Translation:
Ensure that the translated documents are certified by the translator. The certification should include the translator's qualifications and a statement that the translation is accurate and true to the original.

5. Apostille (if required):
If required, submit the notarised documents to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or relevant competent authority in China to obtain an apostille.

6. Submission:
Submit the original notarised documents, their certified translations, and any apostilled documents as part of your Australian student visa application to the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Outcome:
The Australian authorities will have all necessary documents in English, properly notarised and certified, facilitating the processing of your student visa application.

Important Note:
Always check the specific requirements for your visa subclass on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website. Requirements can vary depending on the type of visa and the country of origin. By following these steps, you ensure that your Chinese documents are properly translated, notarised, and ready for submission with your Australian visa application.

Example #4
Power of Attorney Document for Use in China

Scenario: You are a native English speaker and need to grant a power of attorney to a relative in China. The power of attorney document is originally written in Mandarin, and it is crucial that you fully understand the contents of the document before it is notarised.

Document: Power of Attorney (originally in Mandarin)

Requirements:

1. Understanding and Explanation:
The notary public in Australia needs to verify that you, the signer, fully understand the contents of the power of attorney document. This ensures that you are aware of the legal implications and powers you are granting to your relative.

2. Translation:
The power of attorney document must be translated into English by a certified translator. This translation helps the notary public and any other relevant authorities in Australia understand the document.

3. Notarisation
Both the original Mandarin document and its English translation should be notarised. The notary public can then confirm that you understand the document.

Steps to Follow:

1. Obtain the Original Documents:Have your power of attorney document drafted in Mandarin in accordance with the laws of China.

2. Translation:
Have the power of attorney document translated into English by a NAATI certified translator. Make sure the translator is also recognised by the relevant authorities in China.

3. Certification of Translation
Ensure that the translator provides a certification, confirming that the translation is a true and accurate copy of the original Mandarin document.

4. Notarisation
● Take the original Mandarin document, the English translation, and the translator's certification to a notary public in Australia.

The notary public will review both versions of the document and verify that you understand its contents. The notary might require a statement from you, acknowledging that you understand the contents and effect of the documents fully.

5. Notarial Certificate:
●The notary public will notarise the document, often attaching a notarial certificate confirming that the document was translated and that you have understood its contents.

6. Submission:
Submit the original notarised documents, their certified translations, and any apostilled documents as part of your Australian student visa application to the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

Outcome:
The notarised power of attorney document, along with its certified English translation, can now be used in China. This ensures that all parties, including the notary public, the recipient, and any legal authorities, understand the document's contents and that you, as the grantor, have a clear understanding of the legal powers you are granting.

Important Note:
Always check specific requirements with the notary public or legal advisor, as procedures may vary slightly depending on local regulations and the type of document.

By following these steps, you ensure that the power of attorney document is properly translated, understood, and notarised, meeting the legal requirements in Australia.

Mr. Gill is fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia and English. He has a good understanding of the administrative processes and requirements needed to Notarise, authenticate, apostille and legalise documents for countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the United States. Additionally, Mr Gill is an Executive Member of the Notaries Society of South Australia and a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries. Contact our notary public Adelaide at (08) 8342 1388 for all your notary needs.

Do I need a certified translation or a notarised translation?

A notarised translation involves a notary public attesting to the authenticity of the translator's signature, confirming that the translator has sworn the accuracy of the translation. This process adds an additional layer of verification but does not attest to the translation's accuracy itself. In contrast, a certified translation includes a statement from the translator or translation agency affirming that the translation is accurate and complete, typically accompanied by the translator's credentials. While both add credibility, notarised translations are often used for legal documents, whereas certified translations are commonly required for official purposes like academic applications or immigration.

The need for certified versus notarised translations depends on the specific requirements of the institution or authority you are dealing with. Certified translations are typically sufficient for most official and academic purposes where accuracy and completeness are critical. Notarised translations are required when there is a need for an additional layer of verification to confirm the authenticity of the document and the translation process, particularly in legal and formal international contexts. Contact our notary public in Adelaide for assistance. Call (08) 8342 1388 to speak with a notary public or book an appointment.

Disclaimer: The above are general points relating to notarisation and/or translation of documents in typical scenarios, but should not be construed as legal advice. Always check the legal requirements for any applications being made with notarised and/or translated documents, directly with the authority receiving the documents or a suitably qualified and experienced legal practitioner from the country receiving the documents.

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