Literary Translation: Rights, Credit and Grants
What to settle before a book, memoir or story is translated: translation rights, who owns the translation, credit, and the grants that fund literary translation.
The short answer
Under US law a translation is a derivative work, so translating and publishing a book still under copyright needs the rights holder's permission (17 U.S.C. 101 and 106). The translator owns the translation unless a signed agreement makes it a work made for hire. Works first published in the US in 1930 or earlier are in the public domain in 2026.
Rules that apply
Each rule links to its source. Checked 4 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the office that will receive your documents.
| Rule | Source |
|---|---|
| A "derivative work" includes a translation of a preexisting work. | 17 U.S.C. 101 (definitions) |
| Preparing derivative works, including translations, is an exclusive right of the copyright owner. | 17 U.S.C. 106(2) |
| A commissioned translation is a "work made for hire" only if the parties sign a written agreement saying so; otherwise the translator is the author of the translation. | 17 U.S.C. 101 ("work made for hire") and 201(b) |
| Works published in the US 95 years ago or more are in the public domain; in 2026 that means works published in 1930 or earlier. | US Copyright Office, duration of copyright (Circular 15a) |
| The National Endowment for the Arts awards Translation Projects grants to translators for prose and poetry from other languages into English. | National Endowment for the Arts, Translation Projects |
Settle the rights first
A translation of a copyrighted book is a new work built on the old one. Publishing it, or even circulating it widely, needs permission from whoever holds the translation rights, often the original publisher or the author's agent, and sometimes rights are sold language by language and territory by territory. Translating first and asking later is the most common and most expensive mistake in literary translation: a finished manuscript with no licence cannot be published.
Two situations need no licence. The first is a work in the public domain: in the US, anything first published in 1930 or earlier, and later works whose copyright was never renewed or has otherwise lapsed. Check the status in each country where you will publish, since terms differ. The second is your own writing, or a family member's that you have the right to use.
Who owns the translation
Unless a written agreement signed by both sides says the translation is a work made for hire, the translator is its author and owns the copyright in it (subject to the original author's rights). Publishers usually take a licence or assignment from the translator in the contract, along with credit on the cover or title page and, often, a royalty. If you are commissioning a translation for publication, put ownership, credit and payment in writing before the work starts.
Personal and family writing
Much of what people call literary translation is personal: a grandparent's memoir, letters, diaries, poems, a family history. Here the questions are different. Who will read it? A family reader needs a translation that sounds like a person; a historian needs every date, place name and abbreviation exactly as written, with notes. Handwriting matters too: older letters in Cyrillic, German Kurrent script or Ottoman Turkish need a translator who can read the hand, and we mark anything illegible rather than guess.
Sample first
For anything longer than a few pages, start with a sample of 500 to 1,000 words. It shows the voice the translation will take, settles how names and dialogue will be handled, and lets you judge before committing to a book-length job. Grant programmes and publishers also ask for a sample translation with the application.
What we don't do
Book-length translation for publication is a different job from certified document work. We quote it only after seeing the text and a sample, and we will tell you plainly if the book is outside what we can do well. We do not act as a literary agent or negotiate rights.
Documents we translate for this
Price
$39 for the first page (up to 250 words) into English, $49 into any other language, then $0.116 per additional word. Each file is priced on its own. The signed certificate of accuracy is included.
Full pricingTurnaround
24 hours standard for most documents. Expedited service is +50% for 6–8 hours and +100% for 1–3 hours. Large files are quoted with a delivery date before you pay.
Questions
Can I translate a book and publish it myself?
Only if the original is in the public domain where you publish, or you have a licence from the rights holder. A translation is a derivative work under US copyright law.
Do I own a translation I paid for?
Not automatically. Unless you and the translator sign an agreement making it a work made for hire, or the translator assigns the copyright in writing, the translator owns the translation.
Can you translate handwritten family letters?
Yes, where the hand is legible. Send good scans. We transcribe uncertain words in brackets and mark anything we cannot read as [illegible].
Do you need a certified translation for a book?
No. Certification is for documents filed with authorities. A book needs a translation that reads well and a clear rights agreement.
Related
Prepared by Global Certified Translations, Edgewater, NJ. Translations are signed by a State Court Certified Translator. This page explains translation requirements; it is not legal advice.
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