When any legal entity in Australia issues a request for an official translation, it almost always includes one clear directive: that it is NAATI certified. They are requesting it to maintain a professional standard. Now, given how important this NAATI certified translation can be for any legal work in Australia, you must know that it is genuine. All things considered, this guide will take you through the steps needed to verify.
What Does “NAATI Certified Translation” Actually Mean?
Firstly, NAATI means the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. This is the Australian governing body that sets and maintains the national standards for translators and interpreters, and Tranzlatex follows their standard. After all, NAATI certification only refers to the individual translator, not the company.
Step 1: Locate the NAATI Certification Stamp and Statement
Every single NAATI certified translation will have an official standardized stamp either on the last page or on a separate cover page. Do not accept a translation without this. Therefore, at the time you receive the document(s), make sure they have:
- The Official NAATI Stamp: This is a stamp, and it is always present on the document.
- The Name of the NAATI Practitioner: The NAATI Practitioner’s unique number related to the translator.
- Full Name of the Translator: The certified professional’s printed name.
- Language Pair: It is very important. This will contain the languages they are certified to translate between.
- The Translator’s Signature: An original signature of the translator. (Digital signature for an electronic copy).
- Date: The date that the translator certified their translation.
- A Certification Statement: A printed paragraph with the stamp.
Step 2: Cross-Check with the NAATI Online Directory
The stamp is the first step, but it can be easily counterfeited. NAATI’s public, searchable online directory includes all currently certified practitioners.
- The official My NAATI Directory is on the NAATI website.
- Enter the whole name of the translator or their unique credential number from the stamp into the search bar.
- The search results will say whether the person has a current certification and show their details.
If they match, your translation is verified. If not, there is a message saying “no results found,” which is a major red flag.
Red Flags: Signs of a Non-Certified or Fraudulent Translation
Also, be careful if you see any of these warning signs:
- No stamp or signature.
- A stamp that is photocopied, scanned, or simply inserted as an image.
- Handwritten information instead of printed information.
- The directory has the translator’s name, but it does not match the name on the stamp.
- The language pair in the directory does not cover the languages of your document.
- The certification has expired.
A company stamp is used without the named credential of an individual NAATI certified translator.
What to Do If You Suspect a Fake NAATI Certified Translation?
If your NAATI certified translation checks came back negative, remember not to send the document. Because authorities are extremely resourceful and can easily discover fakes, this can result in the non-acceptance of an application.
- Contact the provider immediately: Ask them to explain the discrepancies. A real provider will not hesitate to inform you.
- Notify NAATI: You can certainly notify NAATI of their suspicious certification through the form available on the website; this serves to protect others.
- Request a translation: You may want to take a new translation of your originals, or immediately visit the verified NAATI certified translator in the official directory.
Why NAATI certified translation?
Using a NAATI certified translation is a way to ensure integrity, accuracy, and reliability because those translations are performed by professionals. They have the necessary qualifications and are bound by a code of ethics. Also, they handle the legal and formal obligations for official documents. If you want to find out about the latest pricing and know about quality and speed, you must read the blog on NAATI Certified Translation Fees in 2025.
Ready for translations
Did you know Tranzlatex offers the most affordable rates for NAATI-certified translations? Further, using the verification guide you’ve just gone through, you’ll know that you have confirmed your documents and can safely send your official applications. Visit our website to learn more about our services.