Translation from English into Georgian and back

"English translation" covers two completely different tasks, depending on which direction you are working in. When translating from Georgian into English your aim is for the Georgian document to become understandable and acceptable to a foreign body. When translating from English into Georgian, on the contrary, the foreign document has to be fitted to the requirements of the Georgian system. Each direction has its own rules and pitfalls, and that is exactly why it is worth considering them separately.

Direction one: from Georgian into English

This is the direction you meet most often in an immigration, educational and business context: a citizen who continues their studies or moves to live in the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada or Australia.

Immigration documents for the USA. If your document is going to the immigration service (USCIS), it is important to know that under their rules notarization is not mandatory at all: a signed statement by the translator on their competence and the completeness of the translation is enough. This saves many applicants time, but we always advise you to confirm in advance whether the same document will additionally be needed by another body as well.

Educational documents for the United Kingdom. British universities often additionally require a comparison of your Georgian qualification with the British system, which is issued by UK ENIC (formerly UK NARIC, today a service operating within Ecctis). This is a separate procedure, independent of translation, although the translation is a precondition for submitting it.

Marriage and residence status. If a Georgian citizen marries abroad or arranges residence status, they usually need a translation of the birth certificate, the criminal record certificate and sometimes documents confirming marital status, often with an apostille.

Direction two: from English into Georgian

This direction is less visible but no less in demand: a foreigner who needs to use their own document in Georgia.

Marriage to a Georgian citizen. A foreigner marrying in Georgia needs their own birth certificate, criminal record certificate and, sometimes, divorce certificate translated into Georgian and certified, for submission to the Civil Registry Agency. The document first needs an apostille in the issuing country (the United Kingdom and the USA are both members of the Hague Convention), and then a certified translation into Georgian.

Starting a business or buying real estate. For a foreign investor opening a company or buying property in Georgia, the passport, sometimes corporate documents and a power of attorney need to be translated into Georgian for submission to the Public Registry.

Residence permit. A foreigner arranging a residence permit in Georgia needs their own country's criminal record certificate and documents confirming education or work experience translated into Georgian, in accordance with the requirements of the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Medical documentation. A foreign patient who comes to Tbilisi for medical services has their own medical history, test results and prescribed medicines translated for the Georgian doctor, and after the end of treatment the Georgian discharge summary, conversely, into English.

The power of attorney: probably the most often confused document

The translation of a power of attorney deserves special attention, because it occurs equally often in both directions and an error has serious consequences. If a Georgian citizen entrusts a relative abroad with the disposal of their property or bank account, the power of attorney is first drawn up before a Georgian notary, then translated into English, and the notary again certifies the correctness of the translation. In the opposite case, when a person living in the USA or the United Kingdom entrusts a representative in Georgia with doing something, the power of attorney is first drawn up before a notary there, then needs an apostille in the issuing country, and only after that translation into Georgian and certification in Georgia. Breaking this sequence is the most frequent reason why the Public Registry or a bank does not accept a finished power of attorney.

International contracts in both languages

When a Georgian company signs a contract with an English-speaking partner, it often becomes necessary for the document to exist in both languages at the same time, in parallel columns or as separate documents, where both versions are recognised as having equal legal force by agreement of the parties. The main challenge here is not only the language but terminological consistency: the words "indemnify" or "governing law" must have an exact equivalent in the Georgian legal tradition that both parties understand the same way. In such cases we recommend a service specialising in legal translation, which we discuss in a separate article.

Work visas and employment documents

For a Georgian specialist going to work in the USA, the United Kingdom or another English-speaking country, it often becomes necessary to translate into English an employment certificate, a letter confirming work experience and sometimes a qualification certificate. These documents are submitted to the employer or the immigration service to confirm that the applicant has the experience required for the position. In the opposite direction, a foreigner employed in the Georgian branch of a foreign company needs their own employment history and qualification documents translated into Georgian in order to sign a local employment contract.

Adoption documentation

One of the most sensitive categories, where both directions may be needed equally, is international adoption cases. If a citizen of an English-speaking country plans to adopt a child living in Georgia, their documents confirming personal and family status and income have to be translated into Georgian in accordance with the requirements of Georgian family law. In such cases the deadlines and the requirement for completeness of documents are especially strict, which is why we advise clients to contact us at the very start of the process, not at the last moment.

Dual citizenship and renunciation of citizenship documents

Georgian legislation regulates dual citizenship specifically, which is why it often becomes necessary to translate a document confirming the acquisition or renunciation of foreign citizenship in both directions: a citizenship certificate issued by an English-speaking country into Georgian, for submission to the relevant Georgian body, or, conversely, a Georgian certificate into English, for the foreign party. These documents are often processed together with an apostille, since both sides need confirmation of official status.

Why these directions are not mirror images of each other

Many people think that if a document is translated from A into B, the same process works from B into A, simply in the opposite direction. In reality a different body, a different formal requirement and a different legal system stand on each side. When translating from Georgian into English you are subject to the rules of the target country (the requirements of USCIS, the UK Home Office or the university). When translating from English into Georgian, Georgian legislation and the requirements of a Georgian notary apply. Our translators work in both directions regularly and ask you in advance which body the document is being prepared for, so that the format and terminology are chosen correctly.

Driving licence translation

A small but often needed category is the translation of a driving licence: for a Georgian citizen staying abroad temporarily who asks for recognition of their Georgian licence before obtaining a local one, or for a foreigner living in Georgia temporarily who needs their driving licence translated into Georgian for presentation to the traffic police or when renting a vehicle. In both cases the requirements differ considerably by country, so it is worth confirming in advance whether an international driving permit is additionally needed as well.

Financial documents for a student visa

In a student visa application the translation of bank statements and documents confirming financial stability is often a separate challenge: not only the exact carrying over of amounts is needed, but also the correct matching of Georgian banking terminology with the format that the target country's embassy or university expects. Some embassies additionally require that the currency is clearly visible in the translation and that the date format follows the international standard (day-month-year instead of month-day-year), a minor detail that often becomes a reason for refusal.

Inheritance cases

Inheritance cases also occur regularly in both directions: if a Georgian citizen is the heir of a relative living in an English-speaking country, the foreign certificate of inheritance, will or court decision has to be translated into Georgian for presentation to a Georgian notary. In the opposite case, when a foreigner is the heir of a Georgian relative, Georgian inheritance documentation has to be translated into English, often with an apostille, for presentation to a foreign court or banking institution. In both cases the deadlines are often limited by law, so timeliness is especially important.

Practical advice for both directions

Start with exactly which body requires the document and in what form. Some bodies consider a certified translation sufficient, some need only a notarized one, and for some an apostille is also essential. Confirming this detail in advance protects you from losing time. If you are not sure, we can help you by telephone or online consultation even before the order.

Frequently asked questions