What documents are involved in legal translation?

While the needs of your firm will be different from the needs of other firms, there is a host of documents that are commonly translated for law firms. These include: 

1. Patents/Intellectual property documents

2. Contracts and agreements

3. Affidavits and depositions

4. Litigation documents

5. Court transcripts

6. Wills

7. Insurance policies and claim documents

8. Non-disclosure agreements

9. Adoption papers

10. Name change documentation

What services are needed for legal translation?

Beyond document translation, the legal industry benefits from other language services. Interpretation, either in-person or remote, can benefit LEP populations should they be called for a deposition or hearing. ADA-compliant translation can also be of benefit if your client has a communication disability. Finally, localization can be of benefit if you’re a legal firm working globally or trying to expand into a new target market. 

Ensuring appropriate legal translation

In order to be sure that your legal documents are accurately and appropriately translated, you need to use subject matter experts as translators. Your legal translation projects should be handled by certified, qualified translators who have experience in the legal industry. 

We can help you with your next legal translation project. Our qualified, subject matter expert translators can meet all of your legal translation needs. Call us at 530-750-2040 or request a free quote to get started with your project today.

The Quick Guide to Legal Translation

Legal translation services are critical in ensuring equal access to justice for individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP), as well as for organizations operating across jurisdictions, languages, and cultures. From government agencies and law firms to healthcare systems and nonprofits, many industries rely on accurate, certified translations of legal documents to stay compliant and protect all parties involved.

Translation services are valuable to many different industries, regardless of whether they are regulated and required or not. Some industries, like the legal industry, don’t have regulated requirements for translation, but benefit from it all the same. Legal translation improves accuracy in legal proceedings, protects civil rights, and supports fair representation. It can benefit all parties involved in a court case and help make the legal system more accessible to those who may need it.

What Is Legal Translation?

Legal translation is the process of converting legal documents or spoken language from one language to another with high accuracy, preserving meaning, formatting, legal terminology, and tone. This includes both document translation and interpretation services, depending on the setting.

There are many different parts of the legal process that benefit from professional legal translation services. If you’re in the process of discovery, having documents translated by a qualified, certified legal translator can help to make the documents more accessible if you wish to submit them into evidence. In a hearing, having an interpreter can be necessary if the defendant, prosecutor, or any other involved party is Limited English Proficient (LEP). There are many other documents, like a will or power of attorney, that benefit from legal translation as well.

Legal translation should not be confused with general translation—legal language is highly technical, jurisdiction-specific, and full of nuanced terminology that requires trained human translators.

Who Needs Legal Translation Services?

Legal translation isn’t just for law firms—it’s also essential for:

• Immigration services and applicants

• Government agencies handling multilingual constituents

• Hospitals and healthcare networks navigating consent forms and liability documents

• Real estate companies operating in multilingual communities

• Financial institutions involved in international transactions or arbitration

• Corporations with multilingual employees and global partners

• Courts and clerks needing accurate transcripts, affidavits, or summonses

Any organization working with contracts, compliance, or litigation should consider legal translation a necessity—not a luxury.

What Documents Are Involved in Legal Translation?

While the needs of your firm will be different from the needs of other firms, there is a host of documents that are commonly translated for legal use. These include:

• Patents / Intellectual Property (IP) documents

• Contracts and agreements

• Affidavits and depositions

• Litigation documents

• Court transcripts and hearing records

• Wills and estate documents

• Insurance policies and claims

• Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)

• Adoption papers

• Name change documentation

• Birth and death certificates

• Immigration documents (I-130, I-485, etc.)

• Real estate and lease agreements

Each of these documents requires accurate translation that reflects not just language, but also jurisdiction-specific legal standards.

What Services Are Needed for Legal Translation?

Beyond document translation, the legal industry benefits from a range of legal language services, including:

• Certified translation services for immigration or court submissions

• Legal interpretation (in-person, over-the-phone, or via video)

• ADA-compliant translation for individuals with disabilities

• Localization services for global or multilingual jurisdictions

• Proofreading and formatting for legal documentation

• Human translation with legal subject-matter experts

• Fast turnaround time for urgent filings or hearings

Machine translation tools may be useful in casual settings, but they’re unsuitable for legal use due to a lack of confidentiality, accuracy, and contextual understanding.

Who Is Required to Provide Legal Translation Services?

While not every organization is legally obligated to provide translations, many are—especially when federal funding is involved. Under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, any agency receiving federal funding (including courts, schools, and hospitals) must ensure meaningful access to information for LEP individuals.

Other legal frameworks include:

• Executive Order 13166: Requires federal agencies and federally assisted programs to improve access for LEP populations.

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Includes provisions for accessible communication, which may include translated content.

• Affordable Care Act (ACA): Requires qualified health plans to provide translated documents.

Failing to provide accurate translations can result in legal liability, civil rights violations, and loss of public trust.

Benefits of Professional Legal Translation

• Accuracy in legal terminology

• Compliance with federal, state, and local regulations

• Reduced risk of misinterpretation or litigation

• Better access to justice and public services

• Credibility and trust with multilingual populations

• Improved cross-cultural communication

• Support for diverse language pairs, including Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Korean, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Italian, and more

Certified legal translators bring linguistic fluency, cultural understanding, and legal expertise to every project—something machine translation simply can’t do.

Frequently Asked Questions About Legal Translation Services

What is legal translation?

Legal translation refers to the translation of documents and oral communication involving legal language, contracts, court procedures, and laws across different target languages. It must be precise and is often performed by certified professionals familiar with both legal systems.

Do legal documents need certified translations?

Yes. Certified translations are often required for immigration forms, court filings, or official contracts. A signed certificate of accuracy ensures the translation meets legal standards.

Can I use machine translation for legal documents?

No. Machine translation lacks the accuracy, confidentiality, and cultural nuance required for legal documents. Always use a professional human translator for anything involving legal, compliance, or regulatory contexts.

Who is responsible for providing legal translation in court?

Courts and public agencies receiving federal funds are often required under Title VI and Executive Order 13166 to provide language access services for LEP individuals. This may include interpretation and translation of forms, notices, and records.

What languages are most commonly needed for legal translation?

In the U.S., commonly requested languages include Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Vietnamese, Korean, Portuguese, and Tagalog—though needs vary by region and case.

How do I ensure confidentiality in legal translation?

Work with a Language Service Provider (LSP) that offers secure, encrypted systems and has experience with HIPAA, FERPA, and legal confidentiality standards.

What’s the difference between legal interpretation and legal translation?

Translation involves converting written text, while interpretation refers to converting spoken language in real-time. Both require specialized skills in legal terminology and cultural fluency.

Summary

Need legal document translation services you can trust? At Avantpage, we provide accurate, certified, and compliant legal translations in over 150 languages. Our translators are legal subject matter experts who meet strict confidentiality and formatting standards.

Call us at (530) 750-2040 or request a quote to get started today.