How to get certified translations for studying abroad

Is the chance to study abroad a dream come true? Absolutely! Unfortunately, the process of applying for a degree course in another country can be more of a nightmare, especially getting certified translations of your qualifications.

To study for a master’s degree in Bulgaria, for instance, you’ll need “official” translations of your degree certificate and academic transcript. And if you don’t get these translations done properly, you might not be accepted to your chosen course.

In this situation, your best option is to use a specialist translation service. With Sparrow, all you need to do is upload your documents and tell us your requirements. After that, we’ll provide a quote as soon as we can, then handle the rest for you.

Want to know more about certified translation first? We’ve compiled some helpful info below on how to get official documents translated for use in another country.

What is certified translation?

A “certified” translation is done according to the rules set by the relevant country or region. In most cases, the translator will need to vouch that the translation is accurate. They may also need to have a relevant qualification or be a member of a specific organisation. And if a translation isn’t “certified”, it won’t be valid for official use.

This can apply to a range of important personal documents, including:

• Professional or educational qualifications required to work or study abroad.
• Police records and identification documents used in visa applications.
• Contracts, court documents and other legal material.

It might also include work permits, financial records, marriage certificates and death certificates. In fact, certified translations can be vital at many key moments in life.

The tricky part is knowing how to get official translations of your documents. The rules about certified translation differ from country to country. And the information about how it works might not always be available in English. As a result, without a little expert help, you could be facing an uphill struggle from the very start.

Luckily, that’s why we’re here! For example, let’s look at how Sparrow can help you get your qualifications translated into Bulgarian with the minimum of hassle.

How to get certified translations of qualifications for use in Bulgaria

So, you’re planning to study for a master’s degree in Bulgaria? To do this, you’ll need certified translations of several documents, including:

• Your undergraduate degree certificate.
• A transcript of your academic record.
• An ACRO police certificate as part of your student visa application.

The university might also ask for other documents. For instance, depending on the course, Sofia University may ask applicants to provide a translation of a medical certificate or a certificate of eligibility to continue your studies.

But as well as knowing what you need to get translated, you also need to know how certified translation works in Bulgaria. This means:

• The translator must meet standards set by the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure they’re qualified to certify translations.
• Translations also need to be witnessed in person by a notary public.

After this, you’ll have hard copies of the translations in Bulgaria. So you’ll also need to either travel yourself to pick them up or find a courier to deliver your documents. That’s a lot to organise, especially if some of the information you need is in Bulgarian!

And even a small mistake – such as hiring a translator without the correct qualifications – could result in extra expenses or having to delay your plans. 

But working with Sparrow makes the process quick, simple and stress free.

Why Sparrow is the best choice for certified translations 

Sparrow has an extensive global network of linguists to cover all your translation needs. This means you won’t have to do hours of research to find someone suitable. 

In Bulgaria, for example, we have translators with the qualifications required to certify translations. We also have good relationships with notary publics. Consequently, we can help you get your translations approved quickly and efficiently.

We’ll even use a trusted courier service to get the translated documents to you!

In addition, Sparrow offers many extra benefits, including:

• In-depth knowledge of the certified translation process in different countries, territories and regions.
• Highly qualified linguists who understand the processes involved.
• Expert proofreaders to check that your certified translation is error-free.
• People on the ground all over the world to handle situations where a document has to be stamped or witnessed in person.
• A UK-based data centre with ISO27001 certification, so you can be sure of high standards of data security and confidentiality.
• A guarantee that either your certified translation is accepted by the relevant authorities or you get your money back.

And that’s a lot of extra stuff to organise if you’re going it alone!

Quick, simple translations with Sparrow

To get a certified translation with Sparrow, all you need to do is:

• Go to our Get a Translation page.
• Tell us how the translation will be used and who it is for (e.g. a university, an employer, an embassy or a government department).
• Let us know which languages to translate from and to (e.g. English to Bulgarian).
• Upload your document and wait for a quote.

Once you approve the quote, we’ll do the rest. And before you know it, you’ll have a certified translation of your document ready to go.

You can find out more about how we work on our FAQs page. And if you have any questions about getting a certified translation for any official document, we’re happy to help! Get in touch today, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.