Certified True Copy vs Certified Translation: Which Do You Need?
💡 A certified true copy and a certified translation answer two different questions. A true copy, issued by a Vietnamese notary or People's Committee, confirms a photocopy matches the original. A certified translation, signed by the translator, makes the content readable in English. Many applications need both; for USCIS you usually need only the translation.
- A certified true copy answers "is this copy identical to the original?" and is issued by a Vietnamese notary office or People's Committee.
- A certified translation answers "is this English faithful to the source?" and is signed by the translator with a certificate of accuracy.
- Many universities, some visas, and civil registry filings want both, submitted together.
- For USCIS you generally need only a certified translation plus a plain copy of the original: no notarization, no certified true copy.
- I provide the certified translation; the true copy is obtained from a Vietnamese notary or People's Committee.
What is a certified true copy?
A certified true copy is a photocopy that an authorized Vietnamese office has compared against your original and stamped to confirm the two match. It lets you submit a verified copy and keep your original safe, which matters for a birth certificate, diploma or household book that is slow to replace. The stamp says nothing about language: it only confirms the copy is faithful to the original.
These copies are issued by notary offices (van phong cong chung) and by the justice section of commune or district People's Committees. It is a notarial or government act. As a translator I do not issue certified true copies; when one is needed, you obtain it from one of those offices and I translate it.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is an accurate English version of your Vietnamese document, accompanied by a signed statement, the certificate of accuracy, in which the translator attests that it is complete and correct. It answers a question about language, not about the copy. That certificate is what authorities such as USCIS actually require, and there is a short checklist of what it must contain, covered in what a certified translation must include.
Importantly, a certified translation is not the same as a notarized one. Notarization only has a notary witness the translator's signature; it does not check the translation. Most authorities, including USCIS, ask for certified, not notarized.
Do you need one, the other, or both?
It depends entirely on the receiving authority. The table below is the quick decision; always confirm the exact wording of your request, because the routes differ.
| Certified true copy | Certified translation | |
|---|---|---|
| Answers | Is the copy identical to the original? | Is the English faithful to the source? |
| Issued / signed by | Vietnamese notary or People's Committee | The translator (certificate of accuracy) |
| About | The copy | The language |
| USCIS | Not required (a plain copy is fine) | Required |
| Universities / some visas | Often required | Required |
So for a US immigration filing you usually need only the certified translation with a plain copy of the original, which is simpler and cheaper than many expect. For a university abroad or certain visas, you often need a certified true copy of the original and its certified translation, together. When in doubt, this is close to the apostille versus a certified translation question, where the same "authentication is separate from translation" logic applies.
Which comes first: certify the copy or translate it?
When both are needed, the usual order is to obtain the certified true copy first, then translate that certified copy so its stamps appear in the English version. This keeps the package consistent: the authority receives a verified copy and a faithful translation that mirrors it, stamps included. Translating the original first and certifying a copy afterward can leave a mismatch between what was translated and what was certified.
Where each comes from in Vietnam
The certified true copy comes from a Vietnamese notary office or a People's Committee justice section, which holds your original beside the copy and applies its seal. The certified translation comes from the translator. I do not notarize and I do not issue true copies; I produce the certified English translation with a signed certificate of accuracy, and I can tell you the right order for your destination. If that is what you need, you can get a certified Vietnamese document translation quote, and choosing the right person for it is covered in how to choose a certified Vietnamese translator.
FAQ
Is a certified true copy the same as a certified translation?
No. A certified true copy confirms a photocopy matches the original and is issued by a Vietnamese notary or People's Committee. A certified translation confirms the English version is faithful and is signed by the translator with a certificate of accuracy.
Do I need both for a USCIS application?
Usually not. USCIS asks for a complete certified English translation plus a plain copy of the original document. It does not require notarization or a certified true copy for ordinary filings.
Can you issue the certified true copy for me?
No. A certified true copy is a notarial or government act, issued by a Vietnamese notary office or a People's Committee. As the translator, I provide the certified translation, not the true copy.
Should the copy be certified before or after translation?
Usually before. Obtain the certified true copy first, then translate it, so the certification stamps appear in the English version and the package stays consistent.
Which do universities usually want?
Often both: a certified true copy of your diploma and transcript, plus a certified English translation of them. Check the exact wording, since some accept a certified translation of the original alone.
Source: USCIS certified-translation requirement, 8 CFR 103.2(b)(3).
I am Dao Huy (Lucas), a Vietnamese translator who certifies document translations for USCIS, visas and university applications. Tell me your destination and I will confirm whether you need a certified translation, a certified true copy, or both, and in what order.
Written by Dao Huy (Lucas), Vietnamese translator & localization specialist (EN · ZH · FR → Vietnamese). See translation services → · Certified Documents →