Spanish Translation and Interpreting in Van Nuys
Spanish to English and English to Spanish translation of birth and marriage certificates, school records, letters and other documents, from a bilingual family team with a notary in the same office. Call or book a time, any day of the week.
Open 7 days. Call or book a time.
Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm · Sat and Sun 10am to 2pm
14545 Friar St Ste 100, Van Nuys, CA 91411
- English and Spanish, both directions
- Personal and official documents
- Notary in the same office
- Open Saturdays and Sundays
- Family-run, 15+ years of experience
Documents We Translate
Personal and official records for government offices, schools and employers, translated from Spanish to English or from English to Spanish. If your document is not listed, call and ask.
- Birth Certificates (Actas de Nacimiento)
- Marriage Certificates
- Death Certificates
- Divorce Records
- School Transcripts & Diplomas
- Letters & Declarations
- Identity Documents
- Bank & Employment Records
How Document Translation Works
The office receiving your translation decides what it has to include, from a signed translator's statement to a notarization or an apostille.
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Check what the receiving office wants
Ask the office, school or agency whether it needs a signed statement from the translator, a notarized statement, or an apostille. Get it in writing if you can.
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Call or book, then bring every page
Tell us what the document is, how many pages it has and where it is going. Bring all of it, front and back, including pages that look blank apart from a stamp.
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We translate the whole document
An official translation has to cover everything on the page. USCIS, for example, requires a full English translation and does not accept a summary.
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Notarize or apostille, if asked
If the receiving office wants a notarized statement or an apostille, our notary and our apostille service are in the same office.
What a Certified Translation Means
When an office asks for a certified translation, it usually means a complete translation that comes with the translator's written statement that it is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent in both languages. It describes that statement, not a government license.
For USCIS
Federal regulation 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3) says any document containing a foreign language submitted to USCIS must come with a full English translation, which the translator certifies as complete and accurate, and with the translator's certification that they are competent to translate from the foreign language into English. USCIS policy adds that a summary is not acceptable. The regulation asks for the translator's certification and does not mention notarization.
For courts
Courts set their own rules. California's, for example, require foreign language exhibits filed with a motion to come with an English translation certified under oath by a qualified interpreter. If your translation is for a court case, ask the court or your attorney what it needs before you order it.
Credentials you may see named
- Certified court interpreter: a California credential granted by the Judicial Council to interpreters who pass its written and bilingual interpreting exams. It covers interpreting in court. The public can check it on the courts' interpreter search.
- ATA-certified translator: a credential from the American Translators Association, earned by passing its certification exam. The ATA itself notes that a translator does not need to hold it to provide a certified translation.
If the office receiving your translation asks for a translator with a particular credential, tell us when you call.
Notarized Translations
A notary does not certify a translation, but can notarize the translator's signature on a sworn statement, sometimes called an affidavit or declaration of accuracy. The notary's certificate on that statement confirms who signed it: California's standard notarial wording says it verifies only the identity of the signer, not the truthfulness, accuracy or validity of the document.
Some offices ask for a notarized statement and many do not, and the USCIS rule does not mention notarization. Ask the receiving office before paying for a notarization you may not need. If you do need one, notary services are in the same office.
Certified copies of vital records
A notary in California cannot make a certified copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate. Only the State Registrar, local registrars and county recorders can. If an office wants a certified copy of the original along with the translation, order it from the county or the state first.
Translating Documents for Use Abroad
A document going to Mexico or another country often needs two separate things: a translation into the language of that country, and an apostille. An apostille is a certificate from the California Secretary of State that authenticates the signature of the public official on a document, such as a county registrar or a notary. It does not validate the contents.
The Secretary of State can apostille a notarized document whose notarization is in English, even when the rest of the document is in Spanish. Whether the country wants the translation itself notarized and apostilled, or only the original, is set by that country, so check with the office or consulate that will receive it. Our apostille service page explains the steps.
Spanish Interpreter or Bilingual Notary?
Translation covers written documents, and interpreting covers a spoken conversation, such as a notarization or a court hearing.
At a notarization
The California Secretary of State tells notaries to communicate with the signer directly and not through an interpreter, because vital information can be lost in between. A signer who speaks Spanish should go to a notary who speaks Spanish. Our team is bilingual, so you can speak with us directly in Spanish and do not need to bring anyone to interpret.
In court
California courts provide interpreters free of charge. Ask your court for one as soon as you know your hearing date, usually with form INT-300, the Request for an Interpreter. Courts usually do not allow a friend or relative to interpret for you in the courtroom.
Anywhere else
If you need someone to interpret between English and Spanish for another situation, call us and describe it, and we will tell you whether we can help.
What We Do Not Do
Print It is not a law firm and cannot give legal advice. We translate documents and notarize signatures. We do not choose forms for you, tell you which documents your case needs, or fill out, translate answers on, or submit immigration forms.
For those, speak with an immigration attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice, or ask the agency handling your case.
Translation Questions
Do you translate birth certificates from Spanish to English?
Yes. Bring every page of the certificate, front and back, and tell us which office will receive the translation so it can be prepared the way that office asks for.
Do you also translate from English to Spanish?
Yes. We translate in both directions between English and Spanish, for example when a document issued in California is going to an office in Mexico or another Spanish-speaking country. Esta página en español.
What is a certified translation?
In most official settings it means a complete translation accompanied by the translator's statement that it is complete and accurate and that the translator is competent in both languages. It describes that statement, not a government license.
Do I need a certified translator?
It depends on who receives the translation. USCIS asks for the translator's certification of competence and accuracy, and its rule does not require a government-issued translator credential. Some offices ask for something different, such as a sworn or notarized statement, so check with the office that will receive your document.
What does USCIS require for a translated document?
Under federal regulation 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3), any document in a foreign language sent to USCIS must come with a full English translation, certified by the translator as complete and accurate, along with the translator's certification that they are competent to translate into English. USCIS policy says a summary is not acceptable.
Is a notarized translation the same as a certified translation?
No. A notary can notarize the translator's signature on a sworn statement about the translation. That confirms who signed the statement, not that the translation is accurate. Ask the receiving office whether it wants the translation notarized, because many do not.
Can a notary make a certified copy of my birth certificate?
No. In California, certified copies of birth, death and marriage records can be made only by the State Registrar, local registrars and county recorders. Order a certified copy from the county or state, then bring it to us if it needs translating.
Can I get my documents notarized in Spanish?
Yes. Our team is bilingual, so you can speak with us directly in Spanish. The California Secretary of State tells notaries to communicate with the signer directly and not through an interpreter, so a signer who speaks Spanish should use a notary who speaks Spanish. About our notary services.
Can you interpret for me in court?
Ask the court first. California courts provide interpreters free of charge, and you request one through the court, usually with form INT-300, as soon as you know your court date. Courts usually do not allow a friend or relative to interpret for you in the courtroom.
Can you help me fill out my immigration forms?
No. In California, only an attorney, a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice, or a registered and bonded immigration consultant may help you complete immigration forms, and we do not offer that service. We also cannot tell you which documents your case needs.
How much does a translation cost, and how long does it take?
Both depend on the document and how many pages it has. Call us with the document in front of you and we will give you a quote and tell you when it can be ready.
Are you open on weekends?
Yes. We are open Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm, and Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.
What Our Clients Say
Get In Touch
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 2pm
Call or book a time
A short drive from Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, Encino and Panorama City.