Certification of translation is a certificate proving that the translation of the text (most often a document issued by the state institutions) was performed in the translation office and the translator is familiar with the legal liability for the false or improper text translation (more details in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania).

Certification of the translation may be necessary due to several reasons:

– when presenting a document to the institutions of the Republic of Lithuania;

– when travelling abroad for a job, vacation, or other purposes;

– for company, institution, or organisation internal or business purposes, etc.

The translation may be certified by a notary or an office stamp and translator’s signature; therefore, it is also called a notary or office certification. Also, due to technological innovations, it is possible to certify documents with an electronic signature. Lithuanian law on electronic signature foresees that the electronic signature, by which the electronic document is signed, has the same legal force as the signature in written documents and is admissible as evidence in court (more details).

Translation Certification by the Office

The translated text is attached to the original document or its copy (it depends on where and to whom the document is provided). The other side of the final page has an office stamp and the signature of the translator. The office stamp contains UAB “Bella Verba” information. In addition, a stamp, which specifies the number of pages and date, is placed next to it. Certification with the office stamps testifies that the translator is familiar with the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania article 235 on the false complaint, statement, evidence, opinion and assessment foreseeing a penalty of community service or a fine, or a restriction of liberty, or arrest, or imprisonment up to two years (more details in the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania).

Translation Certification by a Notary

Translation text may be attached to the original document or document of a transcript. If the translated text is attached to the document transcript, it is also certified in the notary’s office. The notary places his/her stamp, seal “Kopija tikra” (Copy of an Original Document) on the original document copy, the document is registered in the notary’s e-book. By this procedure, the notary certifies that the transcript matches the original document. The final page, with the data about the translator and notary, is attached to the original document or its transcript. With his/her signatures and seals, the notary testifies the certainty of the translator’s signature (with the signature, the translator testifies that he/she is familiar with the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania article 235 that foresees responsibility for the falsely performed translation).

Apostille

Legislation of documents and approval certificate (Apostille) is necessary for the fact that the official documents issued in one state would be valid in another state. Legislation of documents is a confirmation of the authenticity of the signature in the document, the responsibilities of the signatory and the stamp. Legislation of documents is performed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania and diplomatic missions or consular offices. Document certification with the certificate (Apostille) is a confirmation of the authenticity of the signature in the document, the responsibilities of the signatory and the stamp with the certificate (Apostille). Document certification with the certificate (Apostille) is performed by the notaries of the Republic of Lithuania (more details), not by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (more details). Documents, issued until 11 March 1990, which have an attribute of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (LSSR), are neither legalised nor approved with a certificate (Apostille). They shall be replaced with new documents.