Translator Stamp Information

A NAATI translator stamp is used by translators to certify their translations. These stamps are issued to all translators upon receiving their certification and whenever they recertify.

Below are examples of the current design of a NAATI-issued translator stamp. All officially issued NAATI translator stamps are in blue ink. 

The ‘valid to’ date on these stamps refers to the recertification or potential expiry date of the practitioner’s credential (at the time the stamp was issued). It does not reflect a date after which a translation is invalid or unacceptable. A translation from a NAATI-credentialed translator should include the date at which the translation was completed and the translation remains valid indefinitely.

If the translation date listed on the stamp is within the period of validity for the credential (i.e. before the ‘valid to’ date), NAATI’s opinion is that the translation should be accepted where it has been presented. 

A NAATI certification or recognised practising credential can be verified through our Verify a Credential tool on the homepage of our website.

Digital copies of the stamp

NAATI acknowledges a majority of translation work is conducted online and a physical stamp may not always be practical. Practitioners are able to make a digital copy of their stamp and attach to work done electronically either via translation software and programs or word processing software rather than printing, stamping, scanning. This is in line with the following guidance from AUSIT:

8.2 The translator’s stamp and/or signature may be inserted as an image. The translation should then be saved and provided to the client in PDF format (or an alternative file format that typically hampers document manipulation). Alternatively, the translator may scan the hardcopy and provide the scan to the client. 

8.3 Using an appropriate software program, the electronic version of the translation may be protected against copying and/or editing of document contents.

^{AUSIT Best Practices for the Translation of Official and Legal Documents, 2014}

This guidance is currently under review by AUSIT. For the full current document and future updated versions, please refer to the AUSIT website members’ section: AUSIT Recommended Best Practices for the Translation of Official and Legal Documents.

Translator stamps under the former accreditation system

Prior to the start of the Certification System in January 2018, NAATI issued translator stamps under the former accreditation system (see below for examples). These stamps are no longer issued however the translations containing these stamps remain valid indefinitely.

If you need to verify whether a translator was accredited or recognised under the previous accreditation system when the translation was completed, please contact us.

Downloadable letter about translator stamps and translation validity

You can also download this information on the official NAATI letterhead here which you may find useful to share with clients.