Certified Translations: Why Per-Page Pricing Is Broken
Certified translations are a requirement for millions of visa applicants every year. Unfortunately, the way most translation services price them is outdated and unfair.
Whether you are applying for a visitor visa for the 2026 World Cup in North America, a work permit, or a family reunification visa, you are often asked to submit supporting documents such as bank statements, birth certificates, tenancy agreements, and proof of employment.
When these documents are not in English, a certified translation is required. While the certification requirements themselves are relatively simple, the pricing model used by most providers creates unnecessary costs for applicants.
What Is a Certified Translation?
A certified translation is a translation of a document into another language that is accompanied by a signed certification confirming that the translation is a true and accurate representation of the original document.
In the UK, USA, and other English-speaking countries, certified translations generally follow similar guidelines. They must be accurate, complete, and include a declaration from the translator or translation provider stating their name, contact details, and the date of certification.
While these requirements are straightforward, the way translations are priced is often far from transparent.
The Problem with Per-Page Pricing
Most translation providers charge for certified translations using a per-page pricing model.
At first glance, per-page pricing sounds simple. In reality, it almost always hides a critical condition: one page is typically defined as 250 words.
- If a document contains fewer than 250 words, the client is still charged for a full page.
- If a document exceeds 250 words by even one word, an additional page is charged.
This system routinely results in clients paying for words that do not exist or being charged double for documents that slightly exceed an arbitrary limit.
What the Data Shows
Based on an internal analysis of 1,000 certified translation requests, the impact of per-page pricing becomes clear.
- Average word count per document: 213 words
- 51% of documents contained fewer than 200 words, meaning these clients paid for unused space
- 28% of documents exceeded 260 words, resulting in an extra page charge despite only marginally exceeding the limit
In practice, this pricing model places clients in a lose-lose situation: they either overpay for content that does not exist or face unexpected extra charges after submitting their documents.
An Outdated Model in a Modern Process
Historically, per-page pricing made sense. Translation was a manual process, and accurately calculating word counts from scanned or handwritten documents required time and effort.
Today, that is no longer the case. With modern document processing technology, precise word counts can be generated instantly. There is no technical justification for continuing to rely on rigid page-based pricing.
How Certling Fixes the Problem
Certling uses machine vision technology to offer fair, per-word pricing for certified translations.
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Automated text recognition
Uploaded documents are scanned to detect and extract text from PDFs, images, and scanned documents. -
Visual text segmentation
Each detected text block is framed and numbered, allowing clients to clearly see what will be translated. -
Optional content removal
Clients can deselect text that does not need translation, such as repeated disclaimers or irrelevant information. -
Instant per-word pricing
The final word count is recalculated immediately, producing a transparent price based only on required content.
Why This Matters for Visa Applicants
For applicants submitting certified translations to authorities such as USCIS, UKVI, or other immigration bodies, fair pricing and transparency are critical.
- Lower overall translation costs by avoiding unused word charges
- No unexpected fees after documents are submitted
- Faster processing through a streamlined quoting system
- Greater control over what content is translated, particularly for bank statements and tenancy agreements
Fair Pricing for Certified Translations
The per-page pricing model is a legacy approach that no longer reflects how translations are produced or used. It inflates costs and creates unnecessary friction for visa applicants.
By using machine vision technology, real-time word counting, and selective content removal, Certling offers a transparent and modern alternative. Applicants pay only for what they actually need, making certified translations more accessible, predictable, and fair.
