Is a certified translation of a foreign will required for US probate?+
Yes. To admit a will written in another language to a US probate or surrogate’s court, you must file a complete certified English translation with the original. The court and the executor act on the translated terms, so accuracy is essential.
How much does certified will translation cost?+
$29.95 per page (1 page = 300 source words). Wills are billed per page, so a simple two-page will costs less than a detailed estate plan with testamentary trusts. No surcharges for rarer languages.
How long does it take?+
Standard turnaround is 24 hours for short documents; longer wills take proportionally more time. For a probate-filing deadline, contact us about expedited service.
How do you handle legal terms with no direct English equivalent?+
Civil-law concepts such as forced heirship (legitima), usufruct and the notarial protocol have no exact common-law match. We render them with the closest accurate English term and add a bracketed translator’s note explaining the concept, so the court reads the will correctly.
Can you translate a handwritten (holographic) will?+
Yes. We regularly transcribe and translate handwritten holographic wills, marking any genuinely illegible passage as [illegible] with a note. If a portion cannot be certified, you’ll know before paying.
Do I need notarization or apostille for a will translation?+
USCIS is not involved with wills; the requirement comes from the court or registry. Some probate courts and most foreign inheritance authorities want the translation notarised, and cross-border estates in Hague countries often need an apostille. Notarization is $19.95 per order; apostille is $149.95 per document.
Can you also translate a US will into another language for use abroad?+
Yes. When a US will governs assets in another country, we translate it from English into the required language with the same certified accuracy statement, ready for the foreign court or notary.
Simplified example, for illustrative purposes only. Your actual translation is individually tailored to your document, with full detail and certification.
