In the US, a certified translation consists of the translation and an attached statement made by the translator declaring that the translation is an accurate and complete rendering of the original. This statement does not guarantee the perfection of the translation nor does it mean the translator is certified. While a translator can be certified by a translation association, like the ATA, these certifications are not officially recognized. A translator does not have to be certified in any way to do a certified translation. However, the certification process helps identify the translator and her qualifications and thus holds her accountable in the event that any problems arise due to an inappropriate translation.
