Identifying Ourselves in the World
While it is true that identity is a concept that concerns us and accompanies us throughout our lives without ever being fully elucidated, we have small blocks that almost from our arrival in the world serve as our path. One of them is a document as simple but significant as our birth certificate. This certificate is a text, either physical or virtual, that officially registers the birth of a person and attaches him or her as part of a social group. As far as the collective imagination goes, it contains fundamental information about the individual in question, including his or her full name, date and place of birth, as well as the names of his or her parents, and a number that is assigned to him or her for ease of identification. This document is issued by a competent governmental entity, such as a civil registry office or notary office, and has a great legal importance in different aspects of a person's life as it is considered the first official document that identifies us, besides being mandatory in most countries worldwide.
The variety of areas in which it is necessary to carry a birth certificate ranges from simple identification with a national authority to the completion of formalities and procedures such as the celebration of a marriage, carrying out an adoption process, claiming an inheritance, etc. When contracting a marriage, for example, this certificate is usually required in order to prove the identity and legal age of both parties so that the celebration can be carried out properly before the legal and/or religious authorities. In cases of adoption, on the other hand, the original birth certificate may be modified or replaced entirely in exchange for a new one so as to reflect the legal relationship between the adoptive parents and the child thereafter.
But what's so complex about it?
Broadly speaking, these types of identification documents are straightforward and the information contained in them borders on the monosyllabic. Even so, the legal terminology and details according to each particular case (taking into account the country of origin and its local ways of dealing with the identification of its citizens) can present challenges that for the uneducated eye in the field of specialized translation would be almost impossible to elaborate a product to be presented to a foreign authority. And that is precisely the ultimate tipping point when it comes to choosing a competent translation company, as the authenticity and accuracy of the birth certificate is critical to its legal validity. As is to be expected at this point, we cannot expect every country in the world to use exactly the same terminology or the same interpretation of words at the legal level; even less so when it comes to interpretation from one language to another; it is then that the professional translator shines by its relevance.
Of course, but the Internet has all the information...
Evidently, the Internet has become a bastion, a reservoir of almost unlimited information in which we can find practically any data on the most arcane subject on the planet, but we must remember that the amount of information available without the necessary expertise to be able to use it properly is even more dangerous than ignorance itself. Here we do not incite to negative remarks about autodidactics, but we must be clear and realistic that at the moment of presenting the pertinent documentation before an immigration judge in a nation where the language is not Spanish, leaving the result of a process of such magnitude in the hands of an internet browser would not be the most suitable decision (or responsible with oneself).
Furthermore, it is not only about the great mass of data that the average citizen can find on the Internet and with which it is very possible that he/she does not know how to deal with, but also about the millions of voices that, through social networks, chats and forums, give opinions and contradict on topics that, in most cases, they do not master nor have enough experience or expertise to be able to make evaluative judgments on professional translation. And this is not intended to detract from the effort or good intentions that an individual on the web may have when offering his or her opinion on a translation topic; however, the situation must be analyzed from all sides and all the possible effects that a bad assessment may have not only on the document per se to be translated, but also on the entire legal process to be translated, but on the whole legal process that is being carried out and that may be hindered or completely stopped (in the worst case scenario) because of a tiny mistake that could have been avoided by choosing a professional and accurate service from the beginning.
The Pormenores
Having said this, let us point out that, just as each individual is a world in itself, each nation has its own particularities that ultimately give it its charm. But it is this differentiating charm that, by chance, urges us to opt for professionals who make the transition a pertinent process, as we have already glimpsed in some previous lines. For example, the legal systems between one nation and another are not necessarily equivalent, in fact, they rarely are. This is due to factors of an economic, political, religious, philosophical nature or different combinations of all of the above that make the parity between legal terms and legal instruments somewhat difficult, but even so, with the help of a professional (or a company with properly trained human capital) that has the appropriate knowledge and experience to support their service, a common understanding can be reached without major frictions.
In many cases, especially when dealing with these types of legal documents, it may be necessary to obtain a certified translation of the birth certificate. A certified translation is one in which the translator or translation company states in writing that the end result is a true and accurate representation of the original document by which the authorities can be guided and finalize the case as they deem necessary. These certified translations are usually recognized and accepted by government agencies and legal authorities of the target nation, as they provide an additional guarantee of accuracy and reliability, thus speeding up the processes involving the parties involved.
Another important aspect is that such credibility and acceptance of translations in the legal system is not due to chance. Certified translations have the signature and seal of the certified translator or company, which usually provide a piece of reassurance that is linked to their track record, experience and good references from previous clients; this is also the purpose of that written statement certifying that the translation is a faithful representation of the original document. These elements provide an additional guarantee of the authenticity and accuracy of the translation, which increases the reliability of the document before the courts and legal authorities, not to mention the client himself.
Certified translations also ensure the confidentiality of the information contained in legal documents. Certified translators are bound by codes of ethics and confidentiality, which means that they must handle and protect confidential information in a discreet manner. Added to this is the human factor that makes the translator reflect the client by making use of the client's data in the most respectful and competent manner possible. This is especially relevant in legal processes involving personal data, such as divorce, adoption, inheritance, declarations, complaints, or confessions where privacy and integrity of information are fundamental. A professional firm will never allow data of this nature to escape the boundaries of the professionalism that should characterize this very human profession and that the intimacy of the clients who place their faith in us be sullied.
In conclusion, certified translations play an essential role in legal processes by guaranteeing the authenticity, accuracy and legal validity of the translated documents, which is why the process of choosing the translator should not be taken lightly. The use of certified translators provides a guarantee that the translation of a document from one language to another has been carried out by specialized and officially recognized professionals. This not only complies with legal requirements, but also avoids errors and misunderstandings, provides credibility and ensures the confidentiality of the information. When faced with legal processes involving documents in a different language, certified translations are essential to ensure the proper flow of information and protect the rights and responsibilities of the parties involved.