A certified or official translation is always made by a certified translator. This is a translator with the appropriate education and/or experience to translate official documents. They have sworn an oath in court to translate their (certified) translation in good conscience. You can find them in the Register for certified interpreters and translators. This is the easiest way to find a translator or to identify whether you’re dealing with an officially recognised translator (my Rbtv number is 40044, so feel free to check!).

The maker is not the only thing that makes this type of translation special. Where a regular translation should be as much like an original as possible, a certified translaiton is an exact, literal translation of all the elements on the source document, attached to (a copy of) the source document. The translator also adds a closing statement and the appropriate stamps and signatures.

The difference between a certified and a regular translation is obvious and the latter can always be traced back to the translator and the moment of translation.

In short, the rule is this: if you’re asked to provide a certified translation. Is it unclear whether a normal translation would suffice? Ask the receiver. A normal translation might save you quite some money!

You need a certified translation when you want to use official documents in a different country. This is especially true for handing over documents to embassies or other authorities. For example when you move to another country for work or study. You might need translations of a proof of residence, birth or marriage certificates, diplomas or gradelists.

In some cases, you need a Dutch certified translation when you want to use English-language documents in the Netherlands. For example when the company you work for or with asks you to translate some documents into Dutch. Always ask the receiver whether these documents should be certified, as it might save you money to opt for a normal translation.

It can be cost effective to translate your documents into English rather than into a less used language. Depending on the other language, this might be cheaper and easier to find. Do you struggle to find a translator in a specific combination? Feel free to send me a message, I might be able to recommend one of my colleagues.

To start the translation, I need a source document. This can be an original statement, contract, deed or document. In many cases, a scan or copy of a document also suffices. Do check this with the receiver of the document! They can tell you what you need.

This depends on the size of the document, the amount of words in it and the complexity of the text and format. A more complex text has a higher price tag than a simple text.

To maintain the quality of service that suits The Apiary, I work with a minimum rate of € 57,50 (excl. VAT) per document. Therefore, if you, for example, need two certified translations of two one-page documents containing 200 words or less? You will pay € 115,- (excl. VAT) in total.*

*Every case is unique, so send me an email for an estimate.

Yes, I translate from English into Dutch and vice versa in the following fields:

Legal translations

Outdoor & Nature

Gardening (food and ornamental)

Food & Cooking