Certified Legal Contract Translation
- GSA Schedule Holder - NASPO ValuePoint Contract Holder - Trusted by State & Federal Agencies - Serving Major U.S. School Districts
- If a certified translation of ours is rejected on translation grounds, we correct it free or refund it
From $26.00
A page is 250 words of the original text, not a sheet of paper — so a densely typed sheet can count as two or more. Add-ons are charged once per order, not per page.
If your document runs longer than the pages you order, we tell you the exact difference and wait for your approval before we start. Nothing extra is ever charged without your say-so.
Not sure? Work it out from your word count
In Microsoft Word it is in the status bar at the bottom; in Google Docs it is Tools → Word count. Working from a scan or a photo? Estimate as closely as you can — the count is checked against your file.
Live prices from taikatranslations.com/store, confirmed 2026-07-10.
- 100% USCIS Acceptance Guarantee — if your translation is rejected by the receiving agency, we fix it free or refund your order.
- 5.0 rating on Google
- Delivered in 2–3 business days · 24-hour rush available
- Full-year accuracy warranty on every project
- ATA-certified linguists · Quality that meets ISO 17100 & 9001 standards
- Secure & confidential — files stored privately, payment via Stripe
A contract is a document where a single inconsistent word can become an argument about what the parties agreed. That makes contract translation a different discipline from certificate translation — the risk is not a missing stamp, it is a defined term that drifted.
This page orders a certified translation of a contract or agreement. Pricing is per page, delivery is a PDF with a signed certificate of accuracy attached, and standard turnaround is 2–3 business days.
What a translation does not do
Translating a contract does not change which law governs it, does not alter the jurisdiction clause, and does not make an unenforceable agreement enforceable. It produces a faithful English rendering of a document that already exists, plus a signed statement that the rendering is accurate and complete.
If the parties want the English version to be the controlling text, that is a drafting decision they make inside the contract. No translator can confer it, and any provider implying their certificate does so is describing something that is not real.
Sworn translation does not exist in the United States
Clients from civil-law jurisdictions often ask for a sworn translation, and it is a fair question with an unhelpful answer.
Spain, France, Brazil, Poland and others appoint or licence translators whose signature carries official status conferred by the state. The United States has no such system — no federal or state register of sworn translators exists. For a U.S. court, agency, or counterparty, the recognised standard is a certified translation: the complete translation plus a signed certificate of accuracy identifying the translator and attesting to competence and completeness.
If a foreign authority specifically requires a translator sworn in their jurisdiction, say so before ordering. We would rather tell you plainly that a U.S. certification may not satisfy that particular requirement than sell you a document that will be refused.
Where contract translations actually go wrong
Defined terms that drift. A term chosen for a concept in clause 3 must be the same term in clause 19. When the same defined term appears three ways across a long agreement, it invites an argument that three different things were meant. Defined terms are fixed at the outset and held consistent throughout — this is unglamorous and it is the main thing you are buying.
Missing annexes. The operative commercial terms frequently live in a schedule: pricing, scope, service levels, limitation of liability. Certification attests to completeness, so a master agreement translated without the schedule that carries the liability cap is not a certified translation of that contract.
Concepts with no clean counterpart. Civil-law institutions rarely have a tidy common-law equivalent, and swapping in the nearest American term silently changes the meaning. Where the choice is material, the source term is preserved alongside the rendering so counsel can see exactly what the original said and reach their own conclusion.
Execution evidence treated as decoration. Who signed, in what capacity, on what date, whether pages were initialled, whether anything was struck through or amended by hand — this is often the whole point. Handwritten amendments are translated and identified as handwritten; anything truly illegible is marked as illegible rather than guessed at.
We are not your lawyers
We will tell you where a source term has no clean English counterpart and how we resolved it. That is a translation question and it is ours to answer.
Whether a clause is favourable, enforceable, or wise is not, and we do not give legal advice in any jurisdiction. Asked anyway, we will say so rather than improvise — a confident wrong answer from a translation provider is worse than no answer.
Confidentiality and what you receive
Files are transferred and stored securely, access is limited to the linguists and project staff needed to do and review the work, and a non-disclosure agreement is available on request. Commercial agreements are not routed through an open marketplace of unvetted freelancers.
You receive a complete English translation of every page you send, laid out to mirror the original clause-for-clause, plus a signed certificate of accuracy. If a certified translation of ours is rejected on translation grounds, we correct it free or refund it.
What clients say
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“Our law firm recently had the pleasure of working with Taika Translations… professionalism, reliability, and attention to detail were outstanding. They were punctual, respectful, and responsive—everything we needed for an important client meeting.”
Larissa G. · law firm client
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“Truly exceptional communicators. A real pleasure to work with — everything is done right. AAA+”
Edward · longtime partner
Credentials & registrations
- Full-Year Accuracy Warranty
- 5.0★ Google Rating
- 2–3 Business Day Turnaround
- ATA-Certified Translators
Frequently Asked Questions
Does translating a contract change which law governs it or whether it is enforceable?
No. A translation is a rendering of a document, not an amendment to it. The governing-law clause, the jurisdiction clause, and the contract's validity are untouched by the existence of an English version. If the parties want the English text to control, that is a drafting decision the parties and their counsel make in the contract itself - it is not something a translator can confer.
What is a sworn translation, and do I need one?
Sworn translation is a civil-law institution: countries such as Spain, France, Brazil, and Poland appoint or licence translators whose signature carries official status. The United States has no equivalent system and no register of sworn translators. For a U.S. court, agency, or counterparty, the recognised standard is a certified translation with a signed certificate of accuracy. If a foreign authority specifically demands a sworn or officially appointed translator in their jurisdiction, tell us before you order so we can be straight with you about what we can and cannot provide.
Do the exhibits, schedules, and annexes get translated?
If you are submitting them, yes. Certification attests that the translation is complete, so a master agreement translated without the schedule carrying the pricing, the scope, or the limitation of liability is not a certified translation of that contract. Contracts are often where the operative terms sit in an annex, so tell us the full set you need and we will translate it completely.
How do you keep defined terms consistent?
Defined terms are identified at the outset and rendered identically at every occurrence, and a term chosen for a concept in clause 3 does not become a synonym in clause 19. This sounds obvious and is the single most common defect in contract translation: a document where the same defined term appears three ways invites an argument about whether three different things were meant.
Can you advise me on what a clause means or whether I should sign it?
No. We are linguists, not your lawyers, and we do not give legal advice in any jurisdiction. We will tell you where a source term has no clean English counterpart and how we handled it, which is a translation question. Whether a clause is favourable, enforceable, or wise is a question for counsel, and we will say so rather than improvise.
How is it priced?
Per page, at the rate shown on this page. Contracts vary enormously in length, so send the file before you order if you want the page count confirmed. For long agreements or an ongoing set of them, ask for a quote instead.
What if a term has no equivalent in English law?
It gets rendered in a way that preserves the source meaning rather than being swapped for the nearest American concept, because those are rarely the same thing. Civil-law institutions in particular have no tidy common-law twin. Where the choice is material we keep the original term alongside the rendering so counsel can see exactly what the source said and form their own view.
Do signature blocks, initials, stamps, and handwritten amendments get included?
Yes. Execution evidence is often the point of the exercise: who signed, in what capacity, on what date, whether pages were initialled, and whether anything was struck through or added by hand. Handwritten marginal amendments are translated and identified as handwritten. Anything genuinely illegible is marked as illegible rather than guessed at.
Is my contract kept confidential?
Yes. Files are transferred and stored securely, access is limited to the linguists and project staff needed to complete and review the work, and a non-disclosure agreement is available on request. Commercial agreements are not distributed through an open marketplace of unvetted freelancers.
Does the translation need to be notarized?
Usually not for a U.S. court or counterparty, which want the translator's certification. Some foreign registries, consulates, and corporate filings do ask for notarization, and it is available as an add-on. Ask your recipient before paying for something they did not request.
Can you certify a translation somebody else did?
Not as-is. Certifying a translation means attesting that it is accurate and complete, which we can only do for work we have reviewed in full against the source. In practice that is a review-and-correct engagement rather than a signature, and it is quoted as such. Signing off on unexamined work would make the certificate meaningless.
How fast can I get it?
Standard turnaround is 2-3 business days, and a 24-hour rush add-on is available. Contracts run long and terminology consistency is not something to compress, so for a substantial agreement on a deadline, ask first rather than assuming a rush will fit.
Reviewed by Margarita Ehlinger, Chief Project Manager — updated