Understanding Translation Timelines

What Does Turnaround Time Mean?

Turnaround time refers specifically to how long it takes us to complete and deliver the digital version of your translated document. It begins once your order has been reviewed and assigned to a translator and ends when the translation is complete and ready for you to review.

It's important to note that turnaround time only covers the translation process itself. It does not include any of the following:

• 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 apostille adds approximately 1–3 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 we assign your order to a translator, our support team completes a quick but thorough review to make sure everything is in order. This includes:

• Verifying the word or page count – We double-check the automatically generated count to ensure it's accurate and aligns with the selected service type (standard or certified).
• Reviewing any notes you've included – We look over your notes and make sure anything relevant is passed along to the translator. If something needs clarification, we may reach out before proceeding.
• Ensuring file quality – We check that your files are clear, readable, and formatted correctly. If files are blurry, cropped, upside down, or too low in resolution, we'll flag them.
• 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 – If anything looks off—like missing pages, inconsistent formatting, or unrelated content—we'll pause the order and contact you before moving forward.

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.

Because all translations are completed by professional human translators, we provide estimates rather than exact deadlines. These estimates include a built-in buffer, and we meet or exceed them 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

If you're working against a tight deadline, we offer expedited turnaround for both certified and standard translations. This service is designed to get your translation delivered as quickly as possible—without compromising on quality.

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 estimated delivery time is cut by approximately 50%

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

If your order includes a hard copy, you can also select an expedited shipping option at checkout. This ensures your physical documents arrive as quickly as possible once you've approved the translation.

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

Our turnaround estimates are based on real data from thousands of past orders, so they're grounded in experience—not guesswork. For documents over 5,250 words, we use a flexible system that factors in things like translator availability and the complexity of your content to provide a realistic and achievable delivery window. Estimated turnaround times are shown during checkout and on quote requests.

Rush Options with Multiple Translators

We strongly prefer to have a single translator complete your order to ensure consistent terminology, tone, and formatting.

However, if you're working with a tight deadline, we may be able to assign multiple translators to speed up delivery. This depends on the structure of the documents and whether they can be split cleanly between translators.

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.