Speaking the customer’s language, both figuratively and literally, is the first step in making the sale. According to a recent study, 80% of customers prefer to buy products with descriptions written in their own language.

With 27 countries (EU) and 24 different recognized languages, the European market represents a difficult yet rewarding challenge for foreign marketing teams. Successfully translating and localizing for this market requires thorough understanding the region’s various cultures and regulations.

Translation and localization are not only important for adapting your product to a different culture, but also to a different regulatory framework.

For example, nutrition labels that are legally acceptable in China require further detailed breakdowns of carbohydrates when it comes to markets in the EU. Submitting documents that are poorly or partially untranslated can ruin your chances of selling on e-commerce platforms like Amazon.

Even the best products will fail to launch in Europe if translation and localization are not well executed. Find out what the major languages are in Europe and our tips to increase ROI, customer reach, and sales in this market:

Tips for Choosing what Languages to Translate and Localize when Selling Online in Europe

Translating your documents and contents into 24 different languages is expensive. Instead, you could pursue a strategy based on number of speakers. Below, we list the five most spoken languages in Europe to help you get started:

• German: The sole official language of Germany, Austria, and Liechtenstein, German is also a co-official language in Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. There are approximately 95 million German speakers across Europe.
• French: The sole official language of France, French is also a co-official language of Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. There are approximately 80 million French speakers across Europe.
• Turkish: While Turkey is not an EU nation, its large diaspora throughout the region makes Turkish the third largest language in Europe by number of native speakers.
• Italian: The official language of Italy and the Vatican City, Italian is also the third most widely spoken co-official language in Switzerland, after German and French. There are approximately 60 million Italian speakers across Europe.
• Spanish: The official language of Spain, Spanish is the mother tongue of 43 million Europeans.

Use Sworn Translation Services for Your Document Translation Needs

In most of Europe, translations of important legal documents into local official languages must be done by a sworn translator, someone who takes legal responsibility under oath for the accuracy of the translation.

When submitting translated legal documents for use in France or Spain for example, you would be required to provide sworn translations as opposed to certified.

You can request a free quote to translate your document at HI-COM.

What Documents Require Translation before Applying to Online Shop Registration in Europe?

As mentioned previously, you will require a sworn translation of requisite documents in the target language in most EU countries. These documents consist of:

• Articles of Incorporation

• Activation Papers

• Articles of Association

• Business License

• ID/Passport of the Legal Representative

• Consent letter to act as designated representative

• Consent to act as company secretary

• Certificate of incorporation

• Incorporation form

• Tax Information

• Register of significant controllers

What Else Should You Translate when Start Selling in the European E-commerce Market?

Aside from sworn translations of the required business and legal documents, all product and marketing information should be translated and localized. This includes everything from payment methods, currency, product descriptions, and even sizes (shoe sizes for example).

As cross-border e-commerce has accelerated, competition amongst various product categories has become stronger. Localized product descriptions, marketing, and customer support give your product an edge in new markets and encourage more reviews from buyers who speak the targeted languages.

While marketplace e-commerce platforms such as Amazon offer automated translations of product descriptions, it’s never a great idea to rely on machine translation for consumer-facing information. Customers can immediately tell when a brand has put in the time and effort to localize content.

Essential Tips for Translating Your Product Documentation

When it comes to e-commerce, investment in translation and localization result in:

Increased traffic – e-commerce platforms require that keywords, titles, and descriptions be accurately written in the target language. When translations are well localized, your product will get more hits from potential customers, driving traffic to your product.

Increased conversion rate – With accurate translations, your product will appear in more relevant searches, meaning an increased conversion rate. High conversion rates translate into increased sales.

With that said, let’s get started on localization and translation tips for product documentation

Product title and description

Probably the most obvious on the list. Care needs to be put into these to ensure they are translated and localized with international SEO in mind. Do SEO research for each language to ensure keyword translations are accurate, culturally sensitive, and match demand from local consumers.

Product characteristics (Dimensions, Sizing, etc.)

European countries use metric measurements for various product dimensions. UK is the only exception, with various specific instances where imperial measurements are used. Shoe and clothing sizes are also something that must be converted, with the UK using different shoe sizing systems from the rest of Europe, both of which are also different from those used in North America.

User guides and manuals

User guides and manuals have a direct impact on customer experience of the product after purchase. Therefore, clear and accurate translations of user manuals and guides are a must. At best, a bad translation will lead to users ignoring the manual or leaving a bad review, at worst, you could be held liable for damages resulting from incorrect operational instructions for your product. We recommend creating a glossary of commonly used terms in your product line to ensure accuracy and consistency throughout translations.

Payment methods and currency

This is the last step before consumers part with their hard-earned money. Ensure this step is smooth and frictionless for all international customers by localizing for payment platforms commonly used in your targeted regions and by providing prices in local currencies.

FAQs

Build trust with your international customers by ensuring they can find answers to their questions in their native language.

Localization and Translation Tips by Country

Europe is a diverse market, and each of its regions has its own language, culture, and history. This must be taken into account when localizing a product or service and when developing a marketing strategy.

Below, we explore each country’s e-commerce market and their consumer habits and norms:

Germany

Language to localize for: German

Most popular e-commerce platforms: Amazon, eBay, Otto, Idealo, Mediamarkt

Percentage of internet users that bought goods or services online: 80%

Germany boasts the largest economy in Europe, making it an attractive market for brands looking to break into the European market.

A defining characteristic of German consumers is that they are used to paying only when products have been received. This is a reason why certain foreign players are less prominent in the German market.

Germany also has the highest rate of returns in the world. This is due in part due to German consumer protection laws mandating 14 day no-explanation-needed refunds.

Up until very recently, invoices were the standard way German customers paid for e-commerce. Today, Paypal has become the most used payment method, with invoices ranking second ahead of credit card payments.

France

Language to localize for: French (English will not help you here)

Most popular e-commerce platforms: Amazon, Leboncoin, Cdiscount, eBay, AliExpress

Percentage of internet users that bought goods or services online: 78%

The third-largest economy in Europe behind Germany and the UK, France is home to a fast-growing e-commerce market. With a reputation as one of the top fashion capitals of the world, fashion takes the largest market share in France’s e-commerce market.

France is home to the world’s biggest e-commerce flash-sale platform, Veepee. It’s no coincidence then that France has a very discount-oriented consumer base. 80 percent of French shoppers will compare prices when shopping for non-grocery items.

Credit card payments make up the majority share of e-commerce sales in France. Adoption of digital wallets like Paypal is also quickly rising.

Belgium

Languages to localize for, according to percentage of native speakers: Dutch (55%), French (35%), German (10%).

Most popular e-commerce platforms: Bol, Coolblue, Amazon

Percentage of internet users that bought goods or services online: 79%

Belgian e-commerce developed relatively late for various reasons. First is Belgium’s relatively small yet fragmented market. Different regions in Belgium speak different languages and have strong regional identities. To make matters worse, the government did not have the legal requirements in place for e-commerce to take off, with nightwork only becoming legal in 2018.

However, Belgium, like Germany, is centrally located within Europe. It also boasts the most advanced transportation infrastructure in the region, allowing for fast fulfilment speeds.

The most popular and familiar online payment option in Belgium is Bancontact, a digital payment system based on bank transfers. Digital wallets like Paypal are also now growing in popularity.

The Netherlands

Languages to localize for: Dutch, English (acceptable if target audience is 35 and younger), Frisian (if targeting the Friesland province of the Netherlands).

Most popular e-commerce platforms: Bol, Marktplaats, Tweakers, Amazon, Coolblue.

Percentage of internet users that bought goods or services online: 91%, second after the UK

With robust internet and transportation infrastructure for e-commerce, Netherlands nevertheless has lagged behind other advanced EU countries in e-commerce development and is only now catching up.

In the Netherlands, the dominant online payment method is via iDEAL, a domestic e-commerce payment system based on bank transfer. It makes up over 60% of online transactions while credit card and digital payments fall far behind.

Denmark

Languages to localize for: Danish, but also 52% of the population can speak English and 30% can speak German.

Most popular e-commerce platforms: Elgiganten.dk, Haraldnyborg.dk, Bilka.dk, Zalando.dk

Percentage of internet users that bought goods or services online: 90%

While not one of Europe’s largest economies, Denmark boasts a strong e-commerce market with consumers ready to spend. With high population density, advanced internet and logistics infrastructure, Danish consumers have high expectations for speedy fulfilment.

Online payment methods are predominantly card-based in Denmark.

Switzerland

Languages to localize for, according to percentage of native speakers: Swiss German (60%), Swiss French (20%).

Most popular e-commerce platforms: ricardo.ch, Amazon, migros.ch, anibis.ch

Percentage of internet users that bought goods or services online: 90%

Switzerland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. When it comes to e-commerce, Swiss consumers are known for spending large sums in one order.

PostFinance, a digital payment system based on bank transfer, is the leading payment method in Switzerland.

Spain

Language to localize for: Spanish (while there are other co-official languages, Spanish is spoken by 99% of the population.

Most popular e-commerce platforms: Amazon, Aliexpress, Milanuncios, Elcorteingles, eBay

Percentage of internet users that bought goods or services online: 67%

E-commerce development has been slow to start in Spain, allowing foreign platforms to take much of the market share in the country. Things are slowly changing now.

Paypal is the preferred online payment system in Spain.

UK

Language to localize for: English

Most popular e-commerce platforms: Amazon, eBay, Etsy, Wayfair, OnBuy

Percentage of internet users that bought goods or services online: 92%, the highest in the entire Europe region

While no longer in the EU, the UK is still one of the most important markets in Europe. It has the largest e-commerce market in all of Europe.

As an English-speaking country, English speaking brands won’t have to worry as much about translation so much as localization. Product dimensions, certain keyword choices, and UK spelling are the key for UK localization.

In the UK, Paypal is the most commonly used online payment method, ahead of credit cards.

Use HI-COM to translate your product descriptions and user guides

The translation of product descriptions and user guides for European market is a service that HI-COM has been providing for many years. We only use experienced and native translators of the target language. Our translation teams are made up of a project manager, a translator and a proofreader. We can also call upon a graphic designer if necessary.

Thanks to our expertise we have been able to satisfy many customers. The translation of your product sheet involves not only selecting the best translator to meet the specific needs of your request, but also adapting your content, taking into account the legislation, culture and buying habits of consumers in your target countries in European market.

HI-COM is a digital marketing agency dedicated to providing China-specific strategy, social media communication and e-commerce marketing services to businesses around the world. Working with more than 100 brands, HI-COM is the go-to partner of companies that want to enter China market!  Contact us for your free consultation today!

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What documents and steps are required to get married or divorce in China? How can expats arrange their marriage contract? Get all answers here!

How to Register Marriage in China

Chinese-Foreign Marriage Registration

Congratulations! You found your one true love and want to get married / 结婚 jiehun. The rules may vary depending on your nationality and under which jurisdiction you want your marriage to be recognized under.

Where

Marriage registration office of the local civil affairs bureau, (民政局Min Zheng Ju) in each jurisdiction.

What documents are required to get married in China?

For Both Partners

• Marriage registration application form
• Registration fee

For Chinese Partner

• Certificate of birth
• Hukou
• Healthcare certificate (can obtain from the nearest hospital)
• Signed statement of non-family relations within 3 generations with a future spouse
• Certificate of Marriageability

For Foreign Partner

• Current passport
• Health certificate from a Chinese hospital designated by the marriage registration office
• Residence permit
• Certificate of marriageability*
• Visa
• For those who have been married before: divorce certificate*

*Documents that may requiring translation

What documents have to be translated before applying for marriage?

• Certificate of marriageability
• Divorce certificate (For those who have been married before)

You can translate these documents at HI-COM, all what you need to do is simply shoot us an email! All our quotes are free of charge.

Contact us at: contact@hicom-asia.com

About certificate marriageability:
One requirement that is generally applied to all people wishing to be married in China is the need for a Certificate of Marriageability. No this is not a certificate stating you are a good catch and would make an excellent husband or wife. It is proof that you are single, and not currently married. The Chinese is 单身证明 (danshenzhengming), which translates literally to “single certificate”.

It can be in the form of a statutory declaration, affidavit, or a certificate issued from your home country, depending on the rules applicable to where you come from. If you have previously been married, you will need certified and notarized translations of any applicable divorce papers or death certificate of your former partner, to accompany with your Certificate of Marriageability.

Marriageability certificate translation sample

About Foreign-Foreign Marriage Registration in China

Since March 2019 Civil Affairs Department cancelled that provision. Nothing more recent suggests that the government notice has been lifted/amended. For the latest information, you should contact your local registry office (Civil Affairs Office or 民政部).

Arranging a Prenuptial Contract in China

Starting a family with a foreigner is of course very exciting, but legally speaking, things may not always run so smoothly. And when it comes to preparing a prenuptial agreement or ‘prenup’ (also called a marriage contract), it may cast a few negative shadows in the minds of those planning to tie the knot.

But nevertheless, it is a good idea to protect both of your assets from any not-so-happy endings. Signing a prenup not only will protect your existing assets and inheritance, but also will protect your spouse from any future debts you or your business may have.

Prenuptial Contract Preparation I Chinese-Foreign Couple

Step 1. Go to lawyer’s office

The process begins in lawyer’s or notary’s office. As the marriage will be legal in your country (and in China), you will need to have a lawyer or a notary who will draft a contract in your native language.

When it comes to a marriage contract, only the native language of you and your spouse counts (so for a French-Chinese marriage for example, no English documents are necessary).

The draft will be signed by the notary or a lawyer, as he/she will be liable for any mistakes in such an important document.

Step 2. Translate your marriage contract

The second step is to translate your prenup to Chinese (language of your spouse). For this you will need to call upon the services of a sworn translator who also has to sign the document and mark it with their official seal.

Step 3. Sign up

Congratulations! You are able to to sign your prenup! Remember to sign it before you sign your marriage license, otherwise this contract will have no legal effect.

Have already completed step 1 and in need of a sworn translator? Get your translation at HI-COM! Contact us today for your free quote!

Contact us at: contact@hicom-asia.com

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Prenuptial Contract Preparation I Foreign-Foreign Couple

If both of you are foreigners who live in China, and you are not from the same country, you still can prepare a prenuptial agreement in China.

As long as foreigner-foreigner marriage cannot be registered in China these days we will talk about the postnuptial agreement. Below are the steps of preparing your marriage contract in China.

Step 1. Go to lawyer’s office

To prepare a prenup, one of the spouses must contact a lawyer/notary of his/her home country or an embassy/consulate. The lawyer/notary will draft a prenup in the native language of one the applicants.

Step 2. Translate your prenup

After that the marriage contract shall be translated to the native language of the second spouse by a sworn translator.

For this step you need a sworn translator means a translator authorized by the Court, the only actor capable of translating a document with a legal value.

Contact us today to hire one! All quotations are free of charge.

Our email: contact@hicom-asia.com

Step 3. Go to your local consulate or embassy

After translation and sealing done, both parties can schedule a meeting with the notary at one of their consulates, where all parties will sign it.

Viola! Now you are safe from unexpected moments if you would be divorcing.

How to Get Divorced in China?

How can you apply to divorce in China?

First things first, can expats apply for divorce in China? The answer is yes, no matter if your marriage is foreigner-foreigner or foreigner-Chinese.

Below we describe the procedure and what documents you may need to get divorced in China.

How to Get a Divorce in China I Foreigner-Foreigner Couple

If your marriage is a foreigner-foreigner is considered as a “foreign-related marriage’ in China, hence divorce has to be processed with the court.

You can also apply for both types of divorce, namely “divorce by agreement” and “divorce by litigation”, but no matter what type of divorce you want to proceed you still have to go to court to get civil meditation statement a certificate that proves that divorce is legal.

Requirements to apply for a divorce as an expat in China

To apply for divorce in China at least one of the spouse must either obtain a foreign permanent residency in China and be physically present in China or resided continuously for one year.

What documents are required for divorce in China as an expat couple?

• Divorce agreement signed by both parties
• Marriage certificate*
• Passport
• Residence permit or visa
• Police registration certificates
• Property ownership certificates (for Chinese real estate only)
• Birth certificates (for minor children only)

* Certified translation is required if you obtain a marriage certificate or birth certificate that was issued abroad of China.

Contact us today to get your translation done! All quotes are free of charge. Our email: contact@hicom-asia.com

How to Get Divorced in China I Chinese-Foreigner Couple

For the couple where one of the spouse is Chinese citizen and application type is “divorce by agreement” going to court might not be nessesary. Couple can register divorce in the marriage registration office instead.

However is allocation type is “divorce by litigation” further steps mignt be finding a lawyer and file with the court.

What documents are required for divorce in China as a Chinese-foreigner couple?

For Both

• Divorce agreement signed by both parties
• Marriage certificate*

For Chinese Partner

Hukou and ID card

For Foreign Partner

• Passport
• Residence permit or visa
• Police registration certificates
• Property ownership certificates (for Chinese real estate only)
• Birth certificates (for minor children only)

* Certified translation is required if you obtain a marriage certificate or birth certificate that was issued abroad of China.

Contact us today to get your translation done! All quotes are free of charge. Our email: contact@hicom-asia.com

Marriage certificate translation sample

What documents may require certified translation for foreign nationality children in China when Going to School

China does not automatically recognize the authenticity of a given legal document, be it a diploma or school report, in its original language. Whether applying for kindergarten or school, it’s often required that a translation is made of requisite documents and that it is made by a company that has been vetted, and is licensed, by the Chinese government.

After years of experience, HI-COM is able to clarify what kind of documents may require translation for non-Chinese children living in China. To remove any unwanted surprises, below is a list of examples where a certified translation is needed in China.

List of documents

• Certificates of previous vaccinations
• Academic transcripts
• School reports
• Diplomas

What documents may require certified translation when applying for a bank loan from outside of China

If you are applying for loan outside of China, but from a Chinese bank, you may be asked for translated and certified documents such as bank statements. A full list of documents is below:

List of documents

• Bank statements
• Evidence of any additional income
• Payslips & tax returns
• Proof of home address

What documents are required to be translated for foreigners to inherit property in China and abroad when in China

• Death certificate
• Kinship certificates
• Inheritance certificate

How to Get a Document Notarized in China

As the Chinese economy grows, and more education and business opportunities open up, more and more people from countries all over the world are coming to study, work, and build a life for themselves in China. This has led to a sharp increase in the number of Chinese diplomas, birth certificates, marriage certificates, visas, and residence permits being issued to non-Chinese nationals. If you belong to this growing group of people, your home country may require you to have your official Chinese documents translated into your home language and also notarized by the Chinese authorities.

Cases when you may need notarized translation

1. A potential employer in your home country would like to check that your diploma(s) you obtained in China is genuine and official.
2. You got married in China and you need to make the marriage legally recognized in your home country.
   However please note that marriages registered in China may already be legally recognized in your home country without the need for a translation – please check this with your consulate or local authority.
3. Birth certificate. Your children were born in China and you intend to move them to your home country in the future.

Before taking any concrete actions, it is important to find out whether your translated documents need to be notarized at all. It may be sufficient just to have them certified by a translation agency, the details of which can be found in this article.

If you are certain that your Chinese documents need to be notarized, then it is first of all important to note that any document that was issued by the Chinese Government and originally drawn up in Mandarin must be notarized in China by an officially recognized notary.

To ensure you are completely clear on the process, HI-COM did some thorough research for you and visited three different notaries in China, to ensure the information received was consistent.

Here is how to notarize a document in China

Step 1:

First of all, you will need to head to your local notary in China. You will need to go there in person with your passport and the original copies of the documentation that requires notarization.

Q: But what if I can’t get there myself? Is there a solution?

If for whatever reason you cannot go in person, someone must go to the notary on your behalf with a letter of authorization written in Chinese and signed by you. An example of this authorization letter is shown below:

Q: It’s ok, I can get there myself – do I need to book an appointment?

Normally it is not necessary to book an appointment with the notary, but you may need to wait in a queue for some time before you get served.

Q: I don’t speak Chinese, will this be an issue when I visit the notary?

If your level of Chinese is on the low side, we strongly recommend bringing a native Mandarin speaker with you, or someone with a very high level of spoken Mandarin, to make the process as smooth as possible.

Step 2:

After you have explained your requirements to the notary, they will then take care of the entire translation and notarization process. Therefore you cannot bring a translated certificate to the notary and then have it notarized. To notarize Chinese documents you shall provide the original copies.

How much will it cost?

The cost of the translation will range between 60 to 1000 RMB, depending on the size of the documents to be translated. The cost of the notarization will range between 100 to 600 RMB.

Also make sure you allow at least seven full working days for the translation and notarization process.

Q: What languages can be handled in this process?

Most notaries can notarize Chinese documents as well as prepare the translations from Chinese into English, French, German, and Spanish. For other languages, you will need to check with your local notary.

We hope you find the above information useful, and if you need any help finding a notary near you in China, shoot us a mail and we will do our very best to help!

Please note: all the above information was deemed correct at the time of publication, and may be subject to change at a later date.

Once again, if your documents do not require notarization, a certified translation will most likely be sufficient. More about Certified translation

In need of certified or sworn translation services? Contact us today to get your translation done! All quotes are free of charge. Our email: contact@hicom-asia.com

In recent months, the debate between machine vs. human translation has focused on the importance of obtaining official, legally valid, and accurate, professionally translated documents. While machine translation algorithms have steadily improved in recent years, they are, however, not yet in every case a comparably accurate substitute for traditional human-based translation services. 

In fact, machine translation is attractive and thus popular mostly because of the low cost and fast speed at which results are delivered, offering brands a quick way to translate their documents at scale, reducing operational expenses.

While this method certainly works, it can be profoundly inaccurate and often misses the finer points of the target language’s lexical choices and syntactic structures.  Consequently, human translation remains the most suitable and viable choice for the individual, business, or corporate projects that require duly diligent professional care, nuanced attention to small detail and/or are needed for publication, legal or other official documentation purposes.

Certified Translation

A “certified translation”, such as that made by a registered translation company like Hi-COM, means that the translator or the language service provider (LSP) has issued a signed statement declaring that the translation that has been done is an accurate and true representation of the original document.

A translation company offers a specialized translation service and is officially recognized as doing so.  An official Translation Seal on any company translated document in addition contains company information and signifies the translation as valid.   Legalized translation, by contrast again, is usually not done by one company but is an official translation that is taken to the Embassy, Consulate, or other governmental, institutional office to be “legalized” through addition of a supplementary seal affixed by the public servant on top of the translated (and certified) file, confirming the original file’s validity.  A sworn translator, on the other hand, is one who is registered under a country’s Ministry of Justice and has taken a personal oath regarding their truthfulness.  With greater concern for accuracy thus than notary translation, a sworn translation is asked for when penal pursuits are undertaken, or for divorce cases and is the most expensive kind of translation.

When to get the certified translation:

•     Birth certificates
•     Death certificates
•     Marriage certificates
•     Business contracts
•     Immigration papers
•     Court transcripts

Read more about certified translation in China in our Certified Translation in China: 9 Cases When You Need It guide.

Sworn Translation

Sworn translation has recently become particularly important due to international trade, the creation of political-economic blocks, changing immigration procedures, and Covid-19 affected tourism.  Sworn translation is recognized as an officially accepted translation of a legal document, or any document that needs to be accepted in a legal situation, such as birth certificates, academic certificates, or declarations.

Sworn translations are always needed when a translation is to be used for administration purposes or governmental requirements.  There are no fixed regulations regarding sworn translations, as the requirements are dependent upon the country in which it will be used, and therefore regulations can change based on the location.

When to get the sworn translation:

•     Patent certificates
•     Documents to incorporate a company

Looking for translation services? Contact us today to get a free quote!

Notarized Translation

A certified translation in China thus consists of a translated document accompanied by a signed statement from the sworn translator attesting to the translation’s completeness and accuracy.  This signed statement is also notarized by a notary public.  Once a translation is so certified it becomes an officially recognized legal record.

A notary translation is unusual as notary offices usually do not have the recognized competence for such official translation; but in China, for example, Notary Offices do have the power to legalize a translation made at their discretion. This is required in only a few cases, however, but as the customer or client must be in person at the notary office to present the file to translate, this may be problematic.

This documentation is required if a document needs a “certified translation,” or that a translation requires a “Certificate of Accuracy.”    There are several situations where a certified translation may be required.

When to get the notarized translation:

•     Diplomas
•     Degree certificates
•     Professional qualifications
•     Other administrative documents

Learn more about notarized translation in our How to Get Your Chinese Documents Notarized guide!

Legal Scenarios

Certified Translation

Certified translations are always necessary for legal paperwork, such as documentation used in trials or hearings.  For example, a trial transcript or any evidence in another language would need to be translated and certified. When it comes to any item that must be submitted to a legal or government body, it is likely that certified translations will be required.

Immigration

Immigration is also a key area that always requires certified translation.  When applying for a residency (or even a temporary visitor’s permit) in a foreign country, the process will likely require that all documents be submitted in the country’s official language — and that translations of these documents be certified.

These documents can include birth certificates, marriage certificates, driver’s licenses, College Applications.  Applications to universities and colleges also often require certified translations of documents like diplomas and transcripts. Depending on the school’s document policies, applicants may be required to submit the original grade report along with a certified translation.

It is always a clever idea to confirm what documents are needed before submitting them and consult with the translation service provider or company.

Business and Corporate Dealings

For corporations with international offices, or for businesses looking to increase their international visibility, certified translations can be necessary.  Documents that may require certified translation include: financial reports, contracts, patent filings. So too, Businesses hiring internationally might also need certified translations of such specific forms as medical records, bank statements, passports & visas.

Sworn Translation

For any certification, the translator or translation company:

1) confirms that the document is a true and accurate translation of the original document.

2) prints the date of the translation, and 3) provides a full name and contact details of the translator or a representative of the translation company.

To expedite this process, The Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 drafted the Apostille Convention, which is a stamp or printed form containing ten numbered standard fields. It guarantees that all the documents from the administration or judicial organisms in each of the 51 countries that signed the Convention are correspondingly valid in all signatory countries.

Every sworn translation should be accompanied by this guarantee to be effective.  This apostille certifies that the person who sends the translation acts as attester of the document and certifies the documentation’s accuracy, completeness, and official value.

With the apostille, the documents can be legalized without third parties taking part and thereby making the process faster and simpler.   Following the proper human-based professional translation certification process and Apostille conventions is thus the best way to obtain legally valid translations as required by individual and business enterprise context.

HI-COM is a multilingual translation agency dedicated to providing professional translation and interpreting services to companies all over the world. Working in over 40 languages, HI-COM is the localization partner for hundreds of companies and brands. Contact us today for your free consultation!

If you would like more information regarding the translation of your documents, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

If you decide to work or live abroad, or simply start a visa procedure, you will probably need to translate certain documents.

HI-COM is an official translation agency, and we provide a variety of certified translations.

HI-COM is able to provide you with official certified translations, as well as sworn translations. But, how do you decide? You must define your real translation needs.

1) What is a certified translation?

A certified translation is a translation carried out by a professional specialist agency. The certified translation document produced by a translation company will be sealed.

• How do you recognise a certified translation?

A certified translation will include a statement proving that it is a correct and true translation of the original document, as well as the translator’s signature and stamp.

A certified translation is an official translation commonly used for legal administration purposes.

• What is a sworn translation?

A sworn translation is an official document as it is carried out by a translator who is legally registered with the Ministry of Justice of the country concerned. Only translators who have taken an oath before a court of law can use their stamp to seal a sworn translation.

2) Certified Chinese is different in France

Every country has its own rules regarding official certified translation.  For example, the role of the person authorizing and the forms provided, are likely to vary from country to country.

It is therefore the client’s responsibility to enquire about specific requirements with the authority for whom the translations are intended, particularly with regards to “legalization”.

In France for example, the title of an Expert Translator is regulated and protected by law.

Need a translation from France?

• Certified translation in France: If the administration is requesting a certified translation in French, you can do it here with us at HI-COM. The general procedure is straight forward, just simply send a scan to one of our HI-COM representatives, and wait until the certified translation is completed!

• Sworn translation in France: This type of translation is often requested by the French administration, or more specifically, the court. The process is much more long-winded and complicated than that of a certified translation. But in order to obtain a French sworn translation, the original must be sent directly to France by registered post (HI-COM will take care of the shipments).

Need a translation from China?

• Certified and sworn translations must be carried out by a professional translator (legal expert), appointed by a Court of Appeal or the Court of Cassation.

3) What documents are required for a certified translation?

When mightn’t you need a certified translation in China?

Find out more in our article on certified translation in China:

• Chinese work permits

When applying for a work permit, you may need several documents, including documents such as letters of recommendation from former employers, CV’s, diplomas, school reports, and criminal records, etc.

• 1000 Internships visa (China-France visa program)

This type of visa is issued to a limited number of young French students, allowing them to intern in China. With this visa, it is only possible to obtain a work permit + a category C residence permit. The duration of the internship can vary from 3 to 6 months, and only students enrolled in a French higher education establishment, can apply for it.

France considers a trainee as a trainee, whilst China considers a trainee as a short-term employee, therefore remuneration is compulsory. This visa also allows students to travel to and from China, making the procedure almost as complex as that of a work visa.

Here are the steps to obtain this visa:

1. Send the documents to a company in China for translation into Chinese. The two most essential documents to be translated are the criminal record and the internship agreement.
2. Register the company at the Labour Office. Apply for a visa in France and then register it definitively after medical examinations in China.
3. Apply for a residence permit.

• Certified translation for a loan application from a foreign bank

When applying for a mortgage loan in France, the United States, and other countries, it is necessary to provide several bank statements and pay slips. However, people working in China will need to translate these documents first. Chinese pay slips, bank statements and tax records are all necessary documents when in need of a bank loan, which is why they too must be translated and certified by an approved translation agency.

• Health booklet for children

Any trip to a hospital in China may require a medical records of the child in order to present it to the doctors and facilitate their work. However, a health record in English, German, or French (or in any other foreign language) will not be useful, so it is recommended to have the health record translated into Chinese beforehand to prevent any problems.

• Translation of the Chinese business license/ foreign business license

When a company registered in China seeks to advertise abroad or apply for any program abroad, it is necessary to have the commercial and foreign licenses translated.

For example, if you have a tender from a European institution, it is necessary to have the commercial license translated into the European language or English, therefore, a sworn translation is required.

If you need to have your foreign commercial license translated into Chinese, a sworn translation is required.

• Enrolment in a Chinese university

To enroll in a Chinese university, you will need to provide certain documents translated from French/English into Chinese. In this case, a certified translation is required. It is often mentioned that a degree is awarded in partnership with foreign universities, which can make the process easier. However, even in the case of a partnership, the classic direct application is common and you may be asked to provide the translation of transcripts and diplomas in digital form as well as the application form.

In addition, it is necessary to present the original documents and translations on the day of arrival at the university.

4) What are the advantages of using HI-COM? 

 Some of your translations may need to be certified, notarised or even carried out by a sworn translator. Don’t panic, HI-COM are extremely experienced in these services!

At HI-COM, our sworn translators each have the required qualifications and certificates that can be presented upon request. Each sworn or certified translation is sealed with our official stamp “Official Translation Company”, or the stamp of the sworn translator.

Copies of your translated original document can also be delivered to you upon request.

HI-COM is a multilingual translation agency dedicated to providing professional translation and interpreting services to companies all over the world. Working in over 40 languages, HI-COM is the localization partner for hundreds of companies and brands. Contact us today for your free consultation!

If you would like more information regarding the translation of your documents, please do not hesitate to get in touch.