How is the cost of a certified translation calculated?
One of the first questions before ordering a translation is: “How much will it cost?” The answer does not depend only on the number of pages.
The language, the length of the text, the type of document, the difficulty of the terminology, the quality of the original, the requested deadline and the type of certification all affect the final calculation.
A one-page certificate with little text does not require the same work as a densely written court decision, a contract or a detailed transcript with tables. That is why a reliable quote must be based on reviewing the actual document, not just on the description “it’s two pages”.
To calculate cost and delivery time correctly, please send:
- Clear photos or scans of all pages.
- The source and target language.
- The country and authority where the documents will be submitted.
- Your preferred delivery date.
- Whether you need official certification, printed copies or shipping.
Please also send the back pages if they contain stamps or notes, as well as the Apostille or any other legalisation attached to the original.
If some pages do not need translating, say so from the start. It is the receiving authority that decides whether a partial translation is allowed or the full document is required.
Urgent delivery may involve a surcharge, especially when it requires work outside normal scheduling or a large volume in a very short time.
Whether a deadline is feasible depends on:
- the length and difficulty of the documents,
- the availability of the right translator,
- the required language and format check,
- the type of certification,
- whether printed delivery is needed.
A certified translation is not just about replacing words. Names, numbers, dates, stamps and references must be checked, and the translation must be faithfully linked to the original.
To keep urgent-work costs down, it is best to send documents as soon as they are available, not just before the submission deadline.
The price may be affected by:
- the language combination,
- the total word count,
- specialised terminology,
- the difficulty of reproducing tables and layout,
- scan quality,
- illegible stamps or handwritten notes,
- the need for official certification,
- an urgent deadline,
- the need for printed copies or shipping.
Medical, legal, financial and technical documents require specialised terminology and extra checking. Likewise, a low-resolution file may take longer to read names, dates and numbers reliably.
The Apostille is not part of the translation fee when it has to be issued by the competent public authority. If it is already on the document, however, it usually has to be included in the material to be translated.
The calculation method depends on the type and format of the material. A translation may be charged per word, per standard translation page, per actual page or as a total per document.
For standard certificates such as civil status records, criminal records or tax residence certificates, a total price per document may apply. For contracts, court decisions and long business texts, length and word count matter more.
A visible page is not always a reliable unit. Two pages can have completely different text density, and a document may include tables, footnotes, stamps and handwritten remarks that must also be translated.
That is why we need all pages before giving a specific quote.
How to avoid extra costs and delays
Before the translation starts, confirm the requirements of the authority that will receive the documents. Check whether an Apostille is needed, which form of certified translation is accepted and whether a paper original is required.
Send complete and legible files, avoid photos with cut-off edges or glare, and tell us your real deadline in good time. If you have an ID card or passport showing the official spelling of names, sending the relevant extract helps keep them consistent.
A clear quote should specify which documents it covers, the delivery format, the estimated turnaround time and any additional services.
Want to know the exact cost of your translation? Send Translatable clear scans of all pages, stating the language, the receiving authority and your preferred deadline, to get a specific quote for your documents.
