Understanding Translation Timelines

What Does Turnaround Time Mean?

Turnaround time is the time needed to translate your documents and make the digital version available for review or delivery. It starts after our team has reviewed the order and assigned a translator. If the order needs your approval or additional services, those steps take place after the translation is ready.

The turnaround estimate covers the translation work. It does not include the time needed for these later steps, which you should account for when planning a submission:

• Approval time: If your order requires approval before it's finalized, that step happens after the translation is complete. We recommend reviewing and approving promptly to avoid delays.
• Notarization: If your certified translation requires notarization, additional processing time is needed. Notarizations are completed Monday–Friday during business hours at our Louisville, KY fulfillment office.
• Apostille services: Obtaining an e-Apostille adds approximately 2–4 business days to the timeline. We first require your approval, then notarize the document, and finally coordinate with the Secretary of State's office to secure the apostille.
• Shipping: Printed copies are shipped after approval. Delivery time depends on your selected shipping method and location. Shipping is handled during the same business hours as notarization and is subject to carrier pickup times.

If your order includes any of these additional services, they will add time beyond the estimated turnaround for the digital translation. For the most accurate expectations, please consider the full scope of your order.

When Turnaround Time Starts

Turnaround time begins once your order has been reviewed and assigned to a translator, not when it's placed.

Before assigning a translator, our support team reviews the files, selected services, and instructions. We need to confirm that the order is complete and that the documents can be translated as requested. The review includes:

• Verifying the word or page count: We check the automatic count and confirm the correct billing units for standard or certified translation.
• Reviewing any notes you've included: We pass relevant instructions to the translator and contact you before assignment if anything needs clarification.
• Ensuring file quality: We check that all pages are readable and complete. Blurry, cropped, upside-down, or low-resolution files may need to be replaced before work can begin.
• Confirming the selected language pair: We make sure the source language matches what's in the document and aligns with what was selected during checkout.
• Removing duplicate files: If you accidentally uploaded the same file more than once, we'll clean that up on our end.
• Flagging anything unusual: Missing pages, inconsistent formatting, or unrelated content may require clarification. We'll pause the order and contact you if we need an answer before proceeding.

We process orders seven days a week, with only a brief pause between 12 AM and 4 AM Pacific Time. Outside of that window, our team is actively reviewing new orders and assigning them to translators throughout the day. For the quickest start, try placing your order outside of the early morning hours.

What Affects Turnaround Time?

Several factors can affect how long it takes to complete your translation. These include:

• Total word count: Larger documents naturally take more time to translate, especially if they require formatting or include detailed content.
• Language pair: Common language pairs like English–Spanish are often faster to assign and complete. Less common or more specialized pairs may require additional time to match with an available translator.
• Complexity of the content: Straightforward documents like birth certificates are quicker to translate than those with dense legal, medical, or technical language, which require extra care and subject matter expertise.
• Translator availability: We assign work to the most qualified translators based on language and document type. During peak times or for niche language combinations, it may take slightly longer to assign your order.

We provide turnaround estimates with a built-in buffer for translation and review. We meet or beat these estimates 98% of the time.

Where to See Your Estimated Turnaround

You'll see an estimated turnaround time during checkout, based on the word count and type of service selected. This estimate applies to the digital delivery of your completed translation.

If you've ordered a hard copy, shipping time is added after you've approved the final translation. We ship hard copies Monday through Friday, and your estimated delivery date (including transit time) is calculated at checkout based on your shipping address and selected shipping method.

Want to confirm the timeline before placing an order? Just request a quote, and we'll provide a personalized estimate.

Expedited Turnaround

Expedited turnaround is available for both certified and standard translations when you need the work completed sooner. It gives your order priority through review, assignment, and translation. Check the expedited estimate during checkout to see whether it fits your deadline.

With expedited turnaround:

• Your order is prioritized in our system for immediate processing
• Our support team fast-tracks your order through review and assignment
• Translators work extended hours to meet the accelerated timeline
• The turnaround estimate is reduced by approximately 50% on average

Expedited service is especially useful for urgent submissions to government agencies, academic institutions, or time-sensitive business needs.

For a hard copy, you can also choose an expedited shipping option at checkout. Shipping follows your approval and any required finalization steps. The selected carrier service determines the transit time after dispatch, so include both processing and shipping in your plan.

Need help deciding if expedited service is right for your situation? Contact us or request a quote, and we'll help you choose the best option based on your timeline.

Estimated Turnaround Times

We calculate turnaround estimates using data from thousands of previous orders. For documents over 5,250 words, the estimate also accounts for translator availability and content complexity, rather than applying one fixed delivery window. You'll see the estimate at checkout or on your quote. The table below shows the usual timing ranges for smaller orders.

Rush Options with Multiple Translators

We prefer to assign one translator to each order so terminology, tone, and formatting remain consistent across the documents. That is especially helpful when the same names or technical terms appear throughout a project.

For a tight deadline, we may be able to split the work among several translators. This depends on the document structure and whether sections can be translated separately without losing context. Our team reviews the files before deciding whether that approach will help with delivery.

We don't charge extra for this service, but it's handled on a case-by-case basis. Contact our support team if you'd like to explore this option.