The main rule: in the translation, the first name and surname must match the spelling in the passport. If the passport says Giorgi, the translation must not arbitrarily say George, Georgi or another variant.
At first glance passport translation is a simple service, but in reality it is one of the most responsible document translations. Every letter, number, date and authority name in a passport is directly linked to a person's identification. If the first name, surname, date of birth, passport number or date of issue is written incorrectly in the translation, a problem may arise at an embassy, a bank, a university, at the border, during marriage registration or at another official body. That is why a passport must be translated not by simply carrying words over, but by respecting the full format of the document, the official terminology and the rules of identification.
TARGMANEBI - a translation bureau in Tbilisi - prepares passport translations into Georgian, English, Russian and other languages. Where needed, a notarized translation can also be prepared. Our aim is for the translation to be clear, accurate, correctly formatted and usable for the purpose the client needs it for: a visa, residence, marriage, a banking procedure, study, work, company registration, a power of attorney, court or another administrative process.
What is passport translation?
Passport translation means accurately carrying over from one language into another the passport's personal data, issue data, document type, number, citizenship, place of birth, validity and other important entries. The translation must be not only linguistically correct but also accurate as a document. When a passport is translated, the main attention goes to the data by which the person is identified in official systems.
A passport translation usually includes the first name and surname, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, sex, passport number, personal number if shown, date of issue of the document, validity, issuing authority and other entries. In some cases visas, stamps, residence marks or other pages need to be translated too. That is why, before the translation starts, it is important to establish exactly which pages the authority has asked for.
When do you need a passport translation?
A passport translation is often needed for submission abroad or for an official procedure in Georgia. For example, you may need a notarized passport translation for marriage registration, a residence permit, a visa application, admission to a university, an employment contract, opening a bank account, company registration, drawing up a power of attorney, or a court or administrative case. It is also common for a foreign citizen in Georgia to need a passport translated into Georgian, while a Georgian citizen needs a Georgian document translated into English, Russian, German, French, Turkish, Arabic or another language.
Every authority may have a different requirement. Some need only a plain translation, some a notarized translation, and some an apostille or legalization together with the translation. That is why the best practice is to check with the receiving organization in advance in what format the document must be submitted. If the requirement is unclear, our team will help you choose the right format for the purpose of the document.
What is a notarized passport translation?
A notarized passport translation is a translation that is prepared officially and certified in the established manner. In practice such a translation is often used at embassies, state authorities, banks, universities and other official organizations. In notarization the translation is attached to a copy of the document, and the notary certifies the authenticity of the translator's signature.
It is important to understand that notarization does not change the content of the document and does not mean that the notary verifies the truth of every fact. The bureau answers for the content of the translation - its accuracy, the correct rendering of names and respect for the format of the document. That is why a professional approach is especially important in a notarized passport translation.
Transliteration of the first name and surname
The most important part of a passport translation is rendering the first name and surname correctly. If the name is already written in Latin letters in the passport, it must be written in the translation exactly as it is in the passport. For example, if the passport says Giorgi, the translation must not say George, Georgi or another variant, unless a specific official requirement provides for it. The same applies to the surname. Changing a single letter can cause a system to treat the person as someone else.
Letters that are written differently in different languages need especially careful checking: შ, ჩ, ჭ, ღ, ყ, ხ, ჯ, ჟ. Confusion is also common in surnames with endings such as -shvili, -dze, -ia, -ava, -iani and others. If a specific spelling has already been used in earlier translations, visas, a residence card or another official document, it is best to keep the same form so that the data match in the future.
What should you check when you receive the passport translation?
When you receive the translation, check the first name and surname first. Then check the date of birth, passport number, personal number, citizenship, place of birth, and the dates of issue and validity. Pay particular attention to numbers, because a wrong digit in a translation looks small but can become a serious legal problem.
Also check that the type of document is stated correctly: passport, travel document, identity document or other. If the document has a stamp, a visa or an additional page that needs to be translated, make sure it is included too. If the translation is notarized, check that all pages are correctly bound or presented and that the text of the translation matches the copy of the document.
Common mistakes in passport translation
The most common mistake is a different spelling of the first name or surname. The second most common mistake is the date format, for example the day and the month being swapped. The third mistake is a missing digit in the passport number or personal number. The fourth mistake is an incorrect translation of the issuing authority or an overly free interpretation. Translating only part of the document also causes problems when the receiving authority needed the full page.
A professional translator's task is not only to translate the text but to see the risks in advance. That is why we pay attention to the language as well as to the format, the data, the terminology and the final purpose. A passport translation for an embassy, a bank, a marriage or a university may be made from one and the same document, but the emphasis often differs.
Passport translation for marriage
When registering a marriage in Georgia, a foreign citizen often needs a passport translated into Georgian. In that case the exact rendering of the first name and surname, the correct statement of citizenship and a check of the document's validity are especially important. If the couple are citizens of different countries, or the document is to be used in another state, an additional translation, an apostille or a legalization procedure may be needed.
Passport translation for a visa and an embassy
Embassies and visa centres often ask for a translation of the passport or of accompanying personal documents. In such cases it is important that the translation is clear, consistent and in line with the other documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate, bank statement, certificate from work, diploma or criminal record certificate. If the name is written one way in one document and another way in another, you may need an additional explanation. That is why it is better to have all documents translated in one consistent style.
Passport translation for banks, companies and legal procedures
Banks, law firms and state authorities use the passport translation to identify the client. Here attention goes to the document number, citizenship, date of birth and the spelling of the name. If the passport translation is connected with a company registration, a power of attorney, a contract or a banking procedure, it is best for the terms used in the translation to be standard and close to the official style.
Passport translation online
Today a passport can also be translated online. You can send us a clear photo or scan of the document and tell us which language you need it translated into, what you need the document for and whether you want notarization. After that you will receive the price, the turnaround and, where needed, additional recommendations. If the document is to be notarized or used at an official authority, a better-quality copy or a specific format may be required.
Ordering online is especially convenient if you are not in Tbilisi or need a quick assessment. Passport translation in Tbilisi is also possible at our office, and through remote communication we can help you from anywhere in Georgia and from abroad.
Passport and driving licence
As with a passport, the main risk in translating a driving licence is the accuracy of the personal data. A driving licence translation is often needed for renting a car abroad, for administrative procedures or for submission to an employer. Here too it is important that the first name and surname match the passport, and that the categories, date of issue, validity and document number are carried over correctly. If you have the passport and the driving licence translated together, it is better for the data to be used consistently in both documents.
Apostille and legalization with a passport translation
In some cases a passport translation alone is not enough. If the document is to be used in a foreign country, you may need an apostille or legalization. An apostille and legalization are different procedures, and whether they are needed depends on the country, the type of document and the requirements of the receiving authority. That is why you should check in advance whether they ask only for a translation, notarization, an apostille, legalization or several stages together.
How we prepare a passport translation at TARGMANEBI
At the first stage we receive the document and check that the photo or scan is clear. At the second stage we clarify the target language, the purpose and whether certification is needed. At the third stage the translator prepares the translation in an official style. At the fourth stage the data are checked: names, dates, numbers, citizenship, and the dates of issue and validity. At the fifth stage, where needed, notarization is arranged and the final document is handed over to the client.
For us a passport translation is not just a text. It is a document a person uses in an important process. That is why we pay attention to accuracy, confidentiality, deadlines and communication. If you need a passport translation with notarization, or a passport translated into Georgian, English, Russian or another language, you can contact us and send us the document for a preliminary assessment.
Final checklist
- The first name and surname match the passport exactly.
- The date of birth is carried over correctly.
- The passport number and personal number have not been changed.
- Citizenship and place of birth are written correctly.
- The dates of issue and validity are not mixed up.
- The translated pages match the receiving authority's requirement.
- Notarization is done in the required format.
- The spelling of the name is the same as in the other documents.
Additional recommendations
Before you hand the document to us, check that the passport is valid and has not expired, because in many procedures an expired document may not be accepted. Also, if the passport is damaged, the data are hard to read or the photo shows glare, it is better to take the photo again. The clearer the source document, the faster and more safely the translation is prepared.
If you need the passport translation for a specific country, tell us the country too. For example, the requirements for embassies, marriage, a bank, a university and company registration are not always the same. We can prepare the text in an official, clean and practical form, so that the translation fits your purpose as closely as possible.
A correctly prepared passport translation saves you time, reduces the risk of refusal or delay and lets you act with peace of mind. TARGMANEBI offers passport translation in Tbilisi and online - quickly, accurately and confidentially.
Frequently asked questions about passport translation
Does a passport translation need notarization?
That depends on where you have to submit the document. If the document will be used at an embassy, a state authority, for marriage registration, at a bank or in court proceedings, a notarized translation is often required. If the document is needed only for information, a plain translation is sometimes enough.
Can a passport be translated from a photo?
For a preliminary assessment and to prepare the translation, a clear photo is often enough. It is important that all the data can be read: first name, surname, number, dates, citizenship and issuing authority. If the photo is blurry, part of it is cut off or the light reflects, the risk of a mistake increases.
How long does a passport translation take?
As a rule a passport translation is ready the same or the next day, because the volume of text is small. However, the turnaround depends on the language, the certification, the workload and whether additional pages, visas or stamps need to be translated.
Which languages are passports translated into?
TARGMANEBI prepares passport translations into Georgian, English, Russian and many other languages. Especially in demand are English translations for visas, Russian translations for official documents, Georgian translations for procedures in Georgia, as well as German, French, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, Arabic and Chinese.
Why is it better to have it done at a professional bureau?
A passport translation is no place for experiments. Machine translation may fail to correctly understand the type of document, the issuing authority, the transliteration or an official term. A professional translator, on the other hand, checks the document both as a text and in practical terms.