A Translator usually reaches for a Service Agreement when for a defined project with a clear start, deliverables and end. This free template does one job well: it defines the scope, timeline, payment and ownership for a one-off project. It is written for how translators actually work — around translating a document, website or set of files between two languages, the familiar headache of disagreements over translation quality, tone or subjective word choices, and getting paid on a per-word or per-project rate, often with a deposit for large volumes. Use a Service Agreement rather than something looser, because for open-ended ongoing work — use a retainer instead. Edit any line to fit your rates and terms, then send it for e-signature in a couple of minutes — no account for your client, and it is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
SERVICE AGREEMENT — TRANSLATOR
1. PARTIES
This Service Agreement ("Agreement") is made on ____________ between ____________ ("Client") and ____________ (the "Provider"), a Translator. Together they are the "Parties".
2. SCOPE OF WORK
The Provider will deliver an accurate translated document in the target language for translating a document, website or set of files between two languages. The agreed scope is: ____________. Anything not listed here is out of scope and is quoted separately before work begins.
3. TIMELINE
The Provider will start on ____________ and aim to deliver by ____________. Timelines assume the Client supplies everything needed on time; Client delays move the delivery date by the same amount.
4. FEES & PAYMENT
The fee is $____________. Payment terms: a per-word or per-project rate, often with a deposit for large volumes. Invoices are due within ____________ days. Late payments may pause work and accrue interest at ____________% per month.
5. REVISIONS
The fee includes ____________ rounds of revisions. Additional rounds, or changes such as added source text, certification, or formatting work beyond the original count, are billed separately.
6. OWNERSHIP & IP
On full payment, the Client owns the final delivered an accurate translated document in the target language. The Provider keeps ownership of tools, templates and any copyright in the translation and confidentiality of the source material until paid, and may show the work in a portfolio unless agreed otherwise.
7. TERMINATION
Either Party may end this Agreement with ____________ days' written notice. On termination, completed portions are billed per word and the deposit covers work in progress, and the Client pays for all work completed to that point.
8. GOVERNING LAW
This Agreement is governed by the laws of ____________, and any dispute will be handled in the courts of ____________.
9. SOURCE CONFIDENTIALITY
The Provider keeps the source material and translation strictly confidential and uses it only to complete the work.
10. QUALITY & CORRECTIONS
The Provider will correct genuine errors free of charge. Subjective preferences on tone or word choice — a common source of disagreements over translation quality, tone or subjective word choices — are handled as revisions.
11. CERTIFICATION
Certified or sworn translation is provided only if agreed in writing and is priced separately.
12. PER-WORD BASIS
The fee is $____________ per source word. Added text or formatting beyond the original count is quoted separately.
SIGNATURES
Signed by the Parties on the date first written above. Both Parties keep a copy. An electronic signature is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
Client: ______________________ Date: __________
Provider: ____________________ Date: __________This Service Agreement ("Agreement") is made on ____________ between ____________ ("Client") and ____________ (the "Provider"), a Translator. Together they are the "Parties".
The Provider will deliver an accurate translated document in the target language for translating a document, website or set of files between two languages. The agreed scope is: ____________. Anything not listed here is out of scope and is quoted separately before work begins.
The Provider will start on ____________ and aim to deliver by ____________. Timelines assume the Client supplies everything needed on time; Client delays move the delivery date by the same amount.
The fee is $____________. Payment terms: a per-word or per-project rate, often with a deposit for large volumes. Invoices are due within ____________ days. Late payments may pause work and accrue interest at ____________% per month.
The fee includes ____________ rounds of revisions. Additional rounds, or changes such as added source text, certification, or formatting work beyond the original count, are billed separately.
On full payment, the Client owns the final delivered an accurate translated document in the target language. The Provider keeps ownership of tools, templates and any copyright in the translation and confidentiality of the source material until paid, and may show the work in a portfolio unless agreed otherwise.
Either Party may end this Agreement with ____________ days' written notice. On termination, completed portions are billed per word and the deposit covers work in progress, and the Client pays for all work completed to that point.
This Agreement is governed by the laws of ____________, and any dispute will be handled in the courts of ____________.
The Provider keeps the source material and translation strictly confidential and uses it only to complete the work.
The Provider will correct genuine errors free of charge. Subjective preferences on tone or word choice — a common source of disagreements over translation quality, tone or subjective word choices — are handled as revisions.
Certified or sworn translation is provided only if agreed in writing and is priced separately.
The fee is $____________ per source word. Added text or formatting beyond the original count is quoted separately.
Signed by the Parties on the date first written above. Both Parties keep a copy. An electronic signature is legally binding under the ESIGN Act and eIDAS.
If the agreement does not name exactly what an accurate translated document in the target language is included, disagreements over translation quality, tone or subjective word choices follows. List the deliverables line by line.
Without a revision limit, added source text, certification, or formatting work beyond the original count quietly becomes unpaid work. Fix the number of rounds in writing.
Say that copyright in the translation and confidentiality of the source material only pass on full payment, or a Translator loses all leverage once the files are out.
Use it for translating a document, website or set of files between two languages — a defined job with a clear end. For continuing month-to-month work, a retainer fits better.
Yes. It fixes your fee and terms, which for translators is usually a per-word or per-project rate, often with a deposit for large volumes.
Yes. Once you and your client sign it — including with an electronic signature — this Service Agreement is a binding contract under the ESIGN Act, eIDAS and similar laws in most countries.
Point them back to the scope. Extra work such as added source text, certification, or formatting work beyond the original count is quoted separately — that is exactly what the written terms are for.
Yes. Paste it into Signr, drop the signature fields on, and send a link. Your client signs from any device with no account, and you both get a sealed, court-ready copy.
Paste the template into Signr, drop signature fields on, and send. Your client signs from any device, no account needed, and you both get a sealed, court-ready copy.
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