The Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form is the declaration and certification that a certified or registered court interpreter, or a translator accredited by the American Translators Association, signs to state that a translation is true and accurate. It is used with the certification services of the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, whose County Clerk verifies these declarations. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF is published by the County at lavote.gov.
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What is Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form – Los Angeles County, CA?
The Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form is the declaration and certification in which a certified or registered court interpreter, or an accredited translator registered with the American Translators Association (ATA), states under penalty of perjury that a translation of an attached document is true and accurate.
The form is a single declaration with blanks. The person translating gives their name and checks one box: Certified/Registered Court Interpreter as described in GC 68561, or an accredited translator registered with the American Translators Association. The declarant then names the languages they are certified or registered to interpret and translate, gives their certification or registration numbers, and identifies the document translated by its language, title and a specific description. The declaration is made under the laws of the State of California and is dated and located in California.
The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk lists the form in its Certification Services. The County Clerk verifies translator and interpreter declarations completed only by a translator or interpreter registered as a California Court Interpreter or with the American Translators Association.
The form states that the declarant's signature must be acknowledged by a notary public. The revision printed on the form is REV. 08/20/14.
Who needs to file Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form – Los Angeles County, CA?
The form is completed by the person who did the translation, and only if that person is a certified or registered court interpreter (as described in GC 68561) or an accredited translator registered with the American Translators Association. The form has one box for each of these two categories, and you check one.
People who need a translated document certified by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk submit the signed declaration with the rest of their certification request. The County Clerk verifies declarations completed only by a translator or interpreter registered as a California Court Interpreter or with the American Translators Association, so a declaration from anyone outside those two groups is not within what the County Clerk verifies.
The declarant must sign personally and the signature must be acknowledged by a notary public. The form has no line for another person to sign on the declarant's behalf.
When to file Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form – Los Angeles County, CA
Complete and notarize the declaration when you are ready to submit a certification request to the County Clerk, because the declaration is one of the items the request must include. The form itself prints no deadline.
The translator signs the declaration before a notary public, so schedule the notary acknowledgment before you assemble the package. If you choose an in-person visit, appointments can be scheduled up to three (3) weeks in advance. The County Clerk's page gives no processing time for certification; call (800) 201-8999 for questions about timing.
Documents you need
- Original document in the foreign language, included with the certification request.
- The document translated into English, included with the certification request.
- The original, completed Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form, with the declarant's signature acknowledged by a notary public.
- The certification fee per declaration; ask the County at (800) 201-8999 for the current amount and accepted payment methods.
How to fill out Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form – Los Angeles County, CA
Print the translator's name
On the first line after "I,", enter the name of the person translating, who is the declarant.
Check one declarant category
Check one box: Certified/Registered Court Interpreter as described in GC 68561, or An Accredited Translator registered with the American Translators Association.
Enter languages and registration numbers
Fill in the two language blanks for the languages you are certified or registered to interpret and translate, then enter your Certification/Registration Number(s).
State the translated languages
In the sentence beginning "I further declare," enter the language the attached document was translated from and the language it was translated to.
Identify the document
Enter the language of the original text and the title of the document, then describe it in the Specific Description of Document lines.
Enter the signing date and place
Complete the day, month, year and city in California where the declaration is signed.
Print the declarant's name
Print the name of the Certified/Registered Court Interpreter or Accredited Translator in the line provided.
Sign before a notary public
The declarant signs the signature line, and the signature must be acknowledged by a notary public.
Review and download the PDF
Check names, languages, numbers and the document description, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form – Los Angeles County, CA
You can submit a certification request to the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk at an in-person appointment or by mail.
- In-person appointment: appointments can be scheduled up to three (3) weeks in advance.
- By mail: send the request to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, 12400 Imperial Highway, 1st Floor, Room 1201, Norwalk, CA 90650.
Either way, the request must include the original document in the foreign language, the document translated into English, the original and completed Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form with the signature acknowledged by a notary public, and the certification fee per declaration. A fee applies for each declaration; for the current amount and the accepted ways to pay, call the County at (800) 201-8999.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the County's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Having the declaration signed by someone who is not a certified or registered court interpreter or an accredited translator registered with the American Translators Association.
- Leaving both category boxes blank or checking neither the court interpreter nor the American Translators Association option.
- Submitting the declaration without a notary public's acknowledgment of the signature, which the form requires.
- Sending a copy of the form when the County Clerk asks for the original and completed Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form.
- Leaving out the original foreign-language document or the English translation when submitting the certification request.
- Omitting the certification fee that applies to each declaration.
- Leaving the certification or registration number line blank, or giving languages that do not match the translated document.
- Mailing the request to an address other than Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, 12400 Imperial Highway, 1st Floor, Room 1201, Norwalk, CA 90650.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form?
It is the declaration and certification a certified or registered court interpreter, or a translator accredited by the American Translators Association, signs to state that a translation is true and accurate. The signature must be acknowledged by a notary public.
Who can sign the Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form?
Only a Certified/Registered Court Interpreter as described in GC 68561, or an accredited translator registered with the American Translators Association. The County Clerk verifies declarations completed only by someone registered as a California Court Interpreter or with the ATA.
Does the declaration need to be notarized?
Yes. The form states that the declarant's signature must be acknowledged by a notary public, and the County Clerk's request list asks for the original, completed form with the signature acknowledged by a notary public.
What do I send with the Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form?
Send the original document in the foreign language, the document translated into English, the original and completed declaration form with notarized signature, and the certification fee per declaration. These are the items the County Clerk lists for a certification request.
Where do I mail the declaration to the LA County Clerk?
Mail it to Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, 12400 Imperial Highway, 1st Floor, Room 1201, Norwalk, CA 90650. You can also use an in-person appointment, scheduled up to three weeks in advance. For questions, call (800) 201-8999.
Is there a fee to certify a translation in Los Angeles County?
Yes. A certification fee applies for each declaration. The County Clerk's page lists it with the request items; call (800) 201-8999 for the current amount and how to pay.
Can I fill out the Interpreter-Translator Declaration Form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service: it does not notarize, file or send the declaration, so you still submit it to the County Clerk by mail or at an appointment.
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