Getting translation services is a critical decision, especially for sensitive subjects like legal, medical, or technical matters. Choosing the right translation office directly impacts the success of your project, while a wrong choice can lead to a loss of time, money, and reputation. So, how can you find the right professional solution partner among hundreds of options? Here are the key criteria to guide you: 1. Areas of Expertise Not all texts are the same. The terminology knowledge required to translate a legal contract differs from that needed for a medical report. Always ask if the agency you plan to work with has proven expertise and experienced translators in the specific field of your document (legal, medical, engineering, financial, academic, etc.). 2. Quality Assurance Processes A professional translation agency does not see translation as a single-step process. Is there a quality assurance process where the text is checked (edited) by another expert editor after the translation is complete? This second check maximizes the quality of the text by eliminating potential errors, semantic shifts, and inconsistencies. 3. Sworn Translators and Notary Approval Capability Do your official documents (passport, diploma, court decision, etc.) require sworn translation and notary approval? Does the agency have a team of sworn translators, and can they handle legal processes like notary approval and apostille on your behalf? Their ability to offer this service demonstrates their competence in official procedures. 4. Confidentiality Policy Your documents for translation often contain sensitive and private information. Ensure that the translation agency has a clear confidentiality policy and is willing to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) upon your request. The security of your information is just as important as the accuracy of the translation. 5. References and Customer Reviews Previous clients provide the best information about an agency's quality. Review customer comments on the agency's website or on independent platforms. If you are working on a large or corporate project, do not hesitate to ask for references. 6. Pricing Transparency How the pricing is calculated (per character, word count, etc.) and what the quote includes should be clear. "The cheapest" does not always mean "the best." Find out if services like quality control and expertise are included in the price and confirm everything in writing to avoid unexpected extra charges. Making an informed choice based on these criteria will lead you to the right result. As Tercümentral, we offer you a reliable partnership by placing all these professional standards at the core of our services.
