California state courts: Translation Requirements for Documents in Another Language

Worth knowing about California courts

California courts requirements in detail

What "certified under oath by a qualified interpreter" means in practice

Rule 3.1110 governs the format of motion papers and their exhibits, and subdivision (g) adds one line for exhibits in another language: they must come with an English translation certified under oath by a qualified interpreter (California Rules of Court, rule 3.1110 (format of motion papers), subdivision (g)).

The rule does not define "qualified" or require a court-certified interpreter.

California certifies court interpreters for spoken interpreting in 13 languages, and the Orange County court's family self-help page says plainly that the state does not test or certify their written translation skills, adding that ATA translators can also translate documents (Orange County Superior Court, Self-Help Family Law: translation of documents).

What the court and the other side look for is a translation of the whole exhibit, attached to it, with a statement in which the translator identifies themselves, states their competence in both languages and swears that the translation is true and accurate.

A notarized statement is the safe way to satisfy "under oath". A translation made by a party, or by a relative without that statement, is easy to challenge.

Divorce, custody and support filings

California's family rules (Title 5) make the general civil law apply to Family Code proceedings unless a family rule says otherwise (rule 5.2(d)).

In practice the exhibit rule covers a foreign marriage certificate attached to a petition for dissolution, a birth certificate in a custody or parentage case, a foreign divorce judgment offered to show a prior marriage ended, and bank or pay records from another country used in a support case.

Prepare the translations before the declaration that attaches them is signed, so the exhibit and its translation are filed and served together. If the other side relies on a document in another language, check that it came with a sworn translation before you respond to it.

Documents people usually translate for court

• Marriage certificates attached to a petition for dissolution
• Birth certificates in custody, parentage and support cases
• Foreign divorce judgments and custody orders
• Bank statements, pay records and property titles from another country
• Messages, letters and other evidence written in another language

What an eVerbary translation includes

• A complete English translation of every page, stamps, seals and handwritten notes included, laid out like the original so each line can be matched.
• A signed certificate of translation accuracy on letterhead, with our contact details, delivered as a PDF you can upload or print.
• $24.95 per page of up to 250 words, certification included; 24 hours for one to three pages as standard. Regular clients who need it can get delivery in as little as 30 minutes, on request.
• Notarization added at checkout ($34.90 per order) when the office asks for a notarized translation.

Submitting the translation to California courts

• Attach the translation, with the translator's sworn statement, to the foreign-language exhibit and file both with the declaration or motion they support (rule 3.1110(g)).

• We deliver the translation as a PDF with a signed certificate of translation accuracy; with notarization added ($34.90 per order) the statement is signed before a notary.

How to order

1. Scan or photograph every page of the document, front and back, including any stamps on the reverse.
2. Upload it, choose the language and "certified", and see the price before paying.
3. Receive the PDF, usually within 24 hours for one to three pages, and submit it with the copy of the original wherever the office asks for it.

Frequently asked questions