Georgia state courts: Translation Requirements for Documents in Another Language

Worth knowing about Georgia courts

Georgia courts requirements in detail

Why Georgia courts expect the translation in advance

The Judicial Council of Georgia's Rules for Legal Interpreting, effective January 1, 2024, are written for court interpreters, but they settle how documents in another language reach the record.

Interpreters may not read a foreign document into English on the spot without preparation and advance notice, and a written translation should be prepared before the hearing at which the document is introduced (Rule 7-1).

The commentary explains why: an on-the-spot rendition almost always falls short of evidentiary standards, and if it is challenged the only reference is the record or the interpreter's memory.

For a divorce or custody hearing, that means a foreign marriage certificate, a prior foreign divorce judgment or bank records from another country should arrive with a written English translation, ready to be marked as an exhibit with the original.

Keep the translator and the interpreter separate

The rules treat a document translation as evidence the translator may have to defend.

An interpreter who produced translated evidentiary material should not interpret in the same proceeding, because they may be called as an expert witness and that could compromise their neutrality (Rule 5-3(a)).

Using an independent translation service for the documents and the court's interpreter for the hearing keeps those roles apart.

The statewide rules do not prescribe the translator's certificate.

A signed statement that identifies the translator and states that the translation is complete and accurate is what lets the court and the other side see who translated the exhibit.

Superior court local rules and individual judges can add requirements; check them before the hearing.

Documents people usually translate for court

• Marriage and birth certificates in divorce and custody cases
• Foreign divorce judgments and custody orders
• Bank, property and income records from another country
• Text messages, emails and letters offered as evidence
• Transcripts of audio or video recordings 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 Georgia courts

• Have the written translation ready before the hearing and offer it with the original document (Rule 7-1(a)(9)(A)); exchange it with the other side in advance if the court's scheduling order or local rules require it.

• We deliver the translation as a PDF with a signed certificate of translation accuracy; notarization can be added at checkout for $34.90 per order.

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