Translation Certification

Obtaining a Translation Certificate from the County Clerk:

California Government Code Section 27293 authorizes the County Clerk to issue a Translation Certificate upon verification of the English translation of a foreign language document when performed by a certified or registered court interpreter, or an accredited translator registered with the American Translators Association. 

Instructions and Declaration form

Declaration and certification of certified/registered court interpreter 

Obtaining a Translation Certificate from the County Clerk (PDF).

Step 1:

Locate a certified or registered court interpreter or an accredited translator using one of the websites listed below:

California Courts for certified/registered court interpreter

or

American Translators Association website for accredited translator 

Step 2:

Contact the certified or registered court interpreter, or accredited translator registered with the American Translators Association to have your foreign document translated into English pursuant to California Government Code Section 27293, ask for and acquire the following:

 An original English translation of the original foreign document

 A declaration by the interpreter or translator that the translation is true and accurate, and includes the certification, qualification or registration of the interpreter or translator (Instructions and Declaration form)

 The signature of the interpreter or translator on the declaration acknowledged by a notary public

Step 3:

Submit the following documents to the County Clerk for issuance of the Translation Certificate:

 The original foreign document

 The original English translation of the foreign document

 Original declaration of the interpreter or translator with their signature acknowledged by a notary public.  Declaration form and instructions available here. 

 $10.00 fee for each certificate requested

Note: We accept cash, money orders or checks, made payable to the Humboldt County Recorder.  Credit or debit cards now accepted as a form of payment for in-office transactions.  A 2.95% service provider fee ($2 minimum) will be charged per card transaction.  This is not a county fee. 

Mail to: 

Humboldt County Clerk Recorder 

825 5th Street, 5th floor 

Eureka California 95501

Step 4:

Once the County Clerk has confirmed the document includes all of the required information as listed above, and has verified the translation was performed by a certified or registered court interpreter, or an accredited translator registered with the American Translators Association, they will issue a Translation Certificate and return all documentation along with Certification to the party requesting the certificate.  Alternatively, if the translated and certified document is to be recorded in this county, arrangements can be made to forward the documents to Humboldt County's Recording Department. (Additional recording fees  apply)

Please contact our office at (707) 445-7593 with further questions regarding this process.