Express certified translation – when is it worth it and how much does it cost?: It often happens that when ordering a certified translation from the MS Mostowy Sworn Translator’s Office, clients find themselves in an urgent situation where they need the translation “immediately”, within a much shorter time than the standard turnaround time for a regular translation.
It is worth adding that the general principles of certified translations are discussed in more detail in our article on certification of a translation vs sworn translation. In such situations, clients very often call us first to find out whether such an express certified translation would be possible, how quickly it could be completed and what the cost would be. In this article, we will therefore try to answer the following questions: what are the available modes for completing an express certified translation and what costs and turnaround times are associated with them. We will also discuss situations in which an express certified translation may prove essential.
A “sworn translation” is, in fact, a synonym and commonly used term for a “certified translation” or “authenticated translation”. It is “certified translation” that is the official term for this type of translation, which follows from the use of this expression in the Regulation of the Minister of Justice governing the rules applicable to the activities of sworn translators. A more detailed explanation of the terminology can also be found in our article on certification of a translation vs sworn translation.
Clients very often incorrectly refer to a certified translation as a sworn translation because they are not familiar with the terminology used in the translation industry and have simply been informed that their document must be translated by a sworn translator. Accordingly, from the client’s perspective, the natural adjective used to describe the translation is “sworn”. A certified translation is therefore a special type of official translation that can only be prepared by a person authorised to do so – in this case, a sworn translator. In order to obtain the qualifications required to prepare certified translations, a translator must pass a highly specialised state examination consisting of two stages, written and oral, organised by the Ministry of Justice.
After passing the examination, the translator must then be sworn in by the Minister of Justice during an official oath-taking ceremony in Warsaw and entered on the list of sworn translators. Only after being entered on the list and receiving an official seal may the translator officially begin preparing certified translations and express certified translations. More information about the profession itself can be found in our article on the sworn translator of English and the characteristics of the profession.
What does a certified translation look like?
Table of content
The form of an express certified translation is determined by rules set out, among others, in the Regulation of the Ministry of Justice, which must be observed by sworn translators preparing this type of translation.
These rules result not only from legal regulations but also from commonly applied professional practice, the principles of which are set out in the code of the Polish Society of Sworn and Specialised Translators TEPIS. First of all, an express certified translation begins with a heading in which the sworn translator may include their contact details in order to make it easier for the client to contact them again regarding future assignments. The next piece of information in the heading is the direction of the translation, which always indicates the language in which the source document was prepared.
Another key element of an express certified translation is the description of the document. In this section, the sworn translator is required to describe in detail, for example, the type of paper on which the document was prepared, whether it has a specific colour, etc. The next step in the case of official documents is to check whether the documents contain security features such as watermarks, continuous printing, thermochromic ink, embossed seals, etc. If such security features are present, the sworn translator is required to include all of these elements in the description appearing in the translation.
Once the description of the document has been completed, the translator may proceed to translate its content. If the document contains graphic elements such as a coat of arms, company logo, handwritten signatures or ink stamps, the sworn translator is required to describe their presence. At the end of the certified translation, the translator includes a certification clause indicating whether the translation was prepared on the basis of the original document or another document presented to them, such as a scan or copy. The translator then places their signature and seal.
Examples of documents
Clients very often call the MS Mostowy Sworn Translator’s Office asking whether it is possible to prepare a document urgently, on the same day.
However, based on our experience, genuinely urgent situations in which the client is under a strictly imposed deadline are relatively rare. Very often, the client simply wants a reasonably quick turnaround time rather than having to wait a week for a short document to be completed. Therefore, whenever such a situation occurs, we always ask the client whether they definitely require express service and inform them about the associated costs – a rate increased by 100% or 50%.
In most cases, when clients hear the cost of a translation at a rate increased by 100%, it turns out that the document – although short – is not actually needed on the same day and that completion in the standard mode on the next business day is sufficient.
When is it worth choosing an express certified translation in super express mode?
An express certified translation is particularly worth choosing when we have a fixed deadline for submitting documents imposed by an authority, court, bank or another institution.
In the case of public authorities, clients are sometimes scheduled for a specific time to deal with an official matter. It often turns out at the last minute that a required translated document is missing – in such cases, express service is essential. For example, in September 2025, we prepared for one of our clients a translation of a certificate of legal capacity to marry issued by the U.S. Consulate General. The client collected the document at 10:00 a.m. and had to submit its translation to the Civil Registry Office by 3:00 p.m. The rate was increased by 100%, and the translation was completed in super express mode. In the context of civil status documents, our article on certified birth certificate translation may also be useful.
Other situations requiring express service include:
- submitting evidence to a court,
- supplementing loan documentation for a foreign national,
- sudden trips abroad requiring medical certificates or notarised consents,
- documents required during border control.
An express certified translation makes it possible to meet deadlines and avoid procedural problems.
Express certified translation – modes, costs and turnaround time
A very important issue is that the method of calculating certified translations is determined by the Regulation of the Minister of Justice:
1 page = 1,125 characters including spaces.
The Regulation also regulates the rates for express certified translations:
- +100% – super express mode (completion within 24 hours or on the same day),
- +50% – express mode (turnaround time reduced by half compared with the standard mode).
Super express mode most often applies to standardised documents:
civil status records, school certificates, secondary school leaving certificates, criminal record certificates, etc.
Express mode (+50%) is usually proposed for documents that are:
- longer,
- non-standardised,
- requiring additional descriptions,
- or where the number of documents is greater.
The standard turnaround time is then reduced by half.
How to order an express certified translation?
To order an express certified translation, simply contact us by email or deliver the original document to our office. After receiving the document, we prepare a quotation and inform the client about the possible turnaround time and applicable rate – super express +100% or express +50%. For documents submitted remotely, information on online certified translation in Poland may also be useful.
In the case of first-time clients, we require a deposit before beginning the translation.
For orders placed by email, payment can be made by:
- traditional bank transfer,
- BLIK.
Due to the speed required, we always recommend BLIK for express orders. For orders placed in person, the quotation is prepared on the spot and the client completes an order form. Payment can be made in cash or by BLIK. Once the translation has been completed, the client receives the paper version together with the return of the original documents and, upon request, a PDF scan.
FAQ: Express Certified Translation
An express certified translation is a certified translation completed within a shorter timeframe than the standard service. Depending on the urgency, it may be prepared in express or super express mode.
In super express mode, the translation may be completed within 24 hours or even on the same day. In express mode, the standard turnaround time is generally reduced by half.
The price depends on the document and the selected mode. According to the rules described above, the standard rate may be increased by 100% for super express service or by 50% for express service.
Super express service is most commonly available for standardised and relatively short documents, such as civil status records, school certificates, secondary school leaving certificates and criminal record certificates.
The document can be sent by email as a scan or delivered directly to the MS Mostowy Sworn Translator’s Office. After reviewing the document, we confirm whether express completion is possible and provide the cost and expected turnaround time.
