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Texas state courts: Translation Requirements for Documents in Another Language
Yes: Texas courts accepts certified translations from professional services such as eVerbary.
Who may translate: Any qualified translator
- $24.95 per page
- Usually 24 h for 1–3 pages
- Signed certificate of accuracy, PDF
- See the price before you pay
How we know · policy checked on October 29, 2026
Texas Rule of Evidence 1009 makes a translation of a foreign-language document admissible if, at least 45 days before trial, the party serves on everyone the translation, the original document and a qualified translator's affidavit or unsworn declaration stating the translator's qualifications and certifying accuracy.
Any qualified translator may sign it, and a translation served this way cannot later be attacked unless the other side objected or served its own translation at least 15 days before trial. eVerbary translates the document and provides the signed translator's statement, notarized on request; we do not serve or file it for you.
Texas courts at a glance
Does it accept eVerbary? Yes
Rule 1009(a) accepts "a qualified translator's affidavit or unsworn declaration" setting out the translator's qualifications and certifying accuracy (Texas Rules of Evidence, Rule 1009), with no list of approved translators, so a certified translation from a professional service such as eVerbary, with the translator's statement, meets it. Policy checked on October 29, 2026.
- Translation
- Served 45 days before trial
- Who may translate
- Any qualified translator
- Translator affidavit
- Affidavit or unsworn declaration
- Price
- $24.95 per pageUp to 250 words, certification included
- Delivery
- 24 hoursStandard for one to three pages
- Certificate
- SignedCertificate of translation accuracy, PDF
Checked on October 29, 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page. Policies change: confirm on Texas courts's own page before you submit.
Worth knowing about Texas courts
45 days before trial
Serve translation, original and affidavit on all parties.
15-day objection window
Unchallenged translations must be admitted as accurate.
Affidavit or declaration
Notarized affidavit or unsworn declaration both work.
Texas courts requirements in detail
Translation
A translation of a foreign-language document is admissible if it is served on all parties at least 45 days before trial with the underlying document (Rule 1009(a)).
Who may translate
A qualified translator; the rule names no credential or list.
Translator's statement
An affidavit or unsworn declaration that sets out the translator's qualifications and certifies that the translation is accurate (Rule 1009(a)(2)).
Objections
A party objecting must point to the specific inaccuracies, offer an accurate translation and serve the objection at least 15 days before trial (Rule 1009(b)).
If nobody objects
If the original is otherwise admissible, the court must admit the translation and may not allow its accuracy to be attacked (Rule 1009(c)).
Deadlines
The court may change the 45- and 15-day limits on motion for good cause (Rule 1009(f)).
Foreign judgments in family cases
In Family Code suits to enforce a judgment or arbitration award based on foreign law, the court holds a pretrial conference that sets orders on translating foreign-language documents (Tex. R. Civ. P. 308b(e)).
How Rule 1009 works: serve early, or face a contest
Rule 1009 rewards the party who translates first. Serve the translation, the foreign-language original and the translator's affidavit or unsworn declaration on every party at least 45 days before trial (Rule 1009(a)).
The other side then has until 15 days before trial to object, and an objection must name the specific inaccuracies and offer an accurate translation (Rule 1009(b)).
If no one objects or serves a conflicting translation, the court must admit yours and may not let anyone attack its accuracy (Rule 1009(c)).
When translations conflict or an objection is made, the court decides whether there is a genuine issue about the accuracy of a material part; if so, the factfinder resolves it (Rule 1009(d)).
A qualified translator may also testify, and the court may appoint its own translator, with the cost taxed as court costs (Rule 1009(e), (g)).
What the translator's affidavit must contain
The rule asks for two things in the statement: the translator's qualifications and a certification that the translation is accurate.
An unsworn declaration is enough, so notarization is optional, but a notarized affidavit is also accepted.
If the statement must list the translator's qualifications, ask for a free quote and mention Rule 1009, so the wording is settled before you pay.
Divorce and custody cases with a foreign judgment have one more step.
Under Rule of Civil Procedure 308b, when a party asks a Texas court to recognize or enforce a judgment or arbitration award based on foreign law in a marriage or parent-child case, the court holds a pretrial conference and sets deadlines for translating the foreign-language documents (Supreme Court of Texas, Misc. Docket No. 17-9163: Tex. R. Civ. P. 308b).
Evidence Rule 203's 30-day deadline for translated foreign-law materials does not apply in those cases (Rule 203(e)).
Need a certified translation for Texas courts?
$24.95 per page of up to 250 words, certification included, usually within 24 hours for one to three pages. See the price before you pay.
Documents people usually translate for court
- Marriage and birth certificates in divorce and custody cases
- Foreign divorce decrees, custody orders and support judgments
- Bank statements, deeds and business records from another country
- Text messages, emails and letters offered as evidence
- Foreign statutes or legal materials used to prove foreign law
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 Texas courts
Serve the translation, the foreign-language document and the translator's affidavit or unsworn declaration on all parties at least 45 days before trial (Rule 1009(a)); keep proof of service.
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.
What we do not do
eVerbary translates documents and signs the translator's certificate; it is not a law firm and does not give legal advice, file papers or provide courtroom interpreters through this service. For Texas courts, we do not serve the translation on the other parties or testify about it.
How to order
- Scan or photograph every page of the document, front and back, including any stamps on the reverse.
- Upload it, choose the language and "certified", and see the price before paying.
- 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
Do Texas courts accept a certified translation from a translation company?
Yes, if it comes with a qualified translator's affidavit or unsworn declaration stating qualifications and certifying accuracy (Rule 1009(a)). The rule does not limit who the translator is.
When do I have to serve the translation?
At least 45 days before trial, unless the court changes the deadline for good cause (Rule 1009(a), (f)).
What if the other side disagrees with my translation?
They must serve an objection pointing out the inaccuracies and offering an accurate translation at least 15 days before trial (Rule 1009(b)); if they do not, the court must admit yours.
Does the translation have to be notarized?
No. The rule accepts an unsworn declaration; a notarized affidavit also works. Notarization is $34.90 per order if you want it.
How much does it cost?
$24.95 per page of up to 250 words, certification included, usually within 24 hours for 1 to 3 pages.
Sources
Texas state courts's own pages, read on October 29, 2026.
Translating documents for Texas courts?
Upload a scan of your certificate, decree or record and see the price and delivery time before you pay.