Certified vs. Notarized vs. Apostilled Translation — What Is the Difference?
Certified translation means the translator or translation agency attaches a signed statement confirming the translation is a complete and accurate rendering of the original document. This is the baseline most courts, universities, and government offices ask for.
Notarized translation goes one step further: the translator signs the certification statement in front of a notary public, who verifies the translator's identity (not the accuracy of the translation itself) and adds their own seal. Some banks, courts, and specific procedures require this extra layer.
Apostille is a different thing entirely — it is an international authentication under the Hague Convention that confirms a document (and often the signatures/seals already on it, including a notarized translation) is genuine, so it can be recognized in another member country without further legalization. It is typically the last step, added after certification and/or notarization, when a document needs to be used abroad.