Deposition Translation
Certified translation of foreign-language deposition transcripts, exhibits and errata for litigation, and of depositions taken abroad.
Reviewed by Murat Saymaz, Global Certified Translations · Facts checked 4 November 2026
The short answer
A deposition taken in English through an interpreter produces an English transcript, so it rarely needs translating. Translation is needed when the testimony is transcribed in another language, for exhibits in another language, and for depositions taken abroad under the Hague Evidence Convention or local law (FRCP 28(b)). Document translation costs are not taxable in federal court.
Depositions involve two different language services, and confusing them causes delays. An interpreter renders the questions and answers live; the court reporter transcribes the English. A translator works on documents afterwards: exhibits, transcripts in another language, and records of depositions taken abroad. We do the second.
Rules that apply
Each rule links to its source. Checked 4 November 2026. Confirm with the office that will receive your documents.
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| Depositions in a foreign country may be taken under an applicable treaty or convention, by letter of request, or before a person authorised there. | Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 28(b) |
| A Letter of Request must be in the language of the requested authority or translated, unless that state accepts English or French. | Hague Evidence Convention (1970), Article 4 |
| Interpreters are subject to the rules on qualification and must give an oath to make a true translation. | Federal Rule of Evidence 604 |
| Federal court interpreters are certified and appointed under the Court Interpreters Act. | 28 U.S.C. 1827 |
| Document translation is not "compensation of interpreters" and is not taxable as costs. | Taniguchi v. Kan Pacific Saipan, Ltd., 566 U.S. 560 (2012) |
Typical length and price
Typical length: about 5,000–25,000 words per transcript (about 20–100 pages of 250 words).
Estimated price into English at that length: $590.00–$2,910.00 per file, certificate of accuracy included.
These figures are our estimates for a typical document of this type, not averages of past orders. Upload yours for an exact word count and price.
When a deposition needs translation
- Exhibits in another language shown to the witness: contracts, emails, records. Translate them before the deposition so counsel and the witness work from the same English text, and mark the translations as exhibits too.
- Transcripts made in another language, for example a deposition taken abroad before a local official, or a recording transcribed in the original language.
- Errata and witness corrections written in the witness's language.
- Prior statements by the witness in another language, used for impeachment.
Depositions taken abroad
Taking evidence abroad depends on the country. Some allow voluntary depositions before a consular officer or a commissioner; others require a Letter of Request under the Hague Evidence Convention, which must be in the requested authority's language or translated. Some countries' judges examine the witness themselves, and the record is a summary in their language rather than a verbatim transcript. Each produces foreign-language documents that need certified translations for use in the US case.
Translating a transcript
A translated transcript keeps the page and line numbering of the original, or a clear concordance, so it can be cited. Questions and answers stay separate, speaker labels are kept, and the reporter's certification is translated. Hesitations, false starts and non-responsive answers are translated as they appear; cleaning them up changes the testimony. Where a word is ambiguous, a translator's note gives the possible readings.
Check the interpreted record
When a deposition was interpreted, parties sometimes want the original-language audio checked against the English transcript. That requires a transcript of the original-language audio first, then a comparison; ask for a quote, because it is slower than ordinary translation.
Budget
In federal court, the cost of translating documents is not recoverable as taxable costs, so translate what you will use. Summary translations help decide which exhibits deserve certified translations.
Preparing exhibits before the deposition
When a foreign-language document will be shown to a witness, translate it in advance and agree with opposing counsel, if possible, that the translation will be used. Disputes about a translation in the middle of a deposition waste expensive time. Give the interpreter a copy of the translation and the term list too, so the interpreted testimony and the translated exhibit use the same English words for key terms.
Videotaped depositions
For videotaped depositions in another language, the original-language testimony must be transcribed before it can be translated. We translate the written transcript; ask us about transcribing the audio first. We do not create timed subtitles for trial video; arrange those with a court reporting or video service.
Errata and signature
A witness who reviews a translated or interpreted transcript may submit errata in their own language. Translate the errata sheet with the page and line references unchanged, so corrections can be matched to the transcript, and translate the witness's signature block and any notarial certificate.
Exhibit stickers and Bates numbers on foreign-language exhibits are carried onto each translated page, so the record stays easy to cite.
Names of witnesses and counsel are spelled as in the case caption.
What we need from you
- The transcript or exhibits, with page and exhibit numbers.
- The deposition date or filing deadline.
- Case term list, if your team has one.
How it works
- Upload the document. The quote tool counts the words and prices the job before you commit to anything.
- Translation. The whole document - every page, stamp, seal and annotation - with the layout kept close enough to the original that a reviewer can read the two side by side.
- Certification. A State Court Certified Translator signs the certificate of accuracy.
- Delivery. A print-ready PDF by email, typically within 24 hours. Notarization, an apostille or mailed hard copies are added here if you need them.
Turnaround
Standard turnaround is 24 hours. Expedited service is +50% for 6-8 hours and +100% for 1-3 hours. Tell us your deadline when you order.
Pricing Information
$39 for the first 250 words into English ($49 into any other language), then $0.116 per word. Each file is priced on its own, and the signed certificate of accuracy is included. Notarization, if a body asks for it, is $19.
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