# Free translation invoice template Translators bill by the word, but also by the page, the hour and the certificate. An invoice should say which language pair, how many words and at what rate, so a project manager at an agency can pass it through their system without questions. The template below mixes the most common lines for a legal document project. Edit it for your own languages and save the PDF from this page. No account, and nothing is uploaded. If you also write or edit in your own language, you may like the [freelance writing template](https://jiffy-invoice.com/invoice-template/freelance-writing). ## Fill it in and save as PDF The lines are examples for translators. Change anything, add your details and download the PDF. Nothing you type leaves this browser. - Nora Bellini Translations - Lexicon Language Services - Job #5541: Italian to English, legal contract | Description | Qty | Price | Amount | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Translation IT > EN, legal (words) | 4,200 | $0.14 | $588.00 | | Proofreading of agency draft (words) | 1,800 | $0.04 | $72.00 | | Rush surcharge, 24 hour delivery | 1 | $150.00 | $150.00 | | Terminology glossary and query list | 1 | $60.00 | $60.00 | | Certified translation statement | 1 | $35.00 | $35.00 | Word count based on the source document as delivered. Rates follow the agreement of January 2026. Please quote job number 5541 on payment. Payment due within 30 days of invoice date. ## What to put on an invoice for translators - The language pair and the direction, such as Italian to English - The job or purchase order number the client gave you - The word count and how it was counted, with the rate per word - Services other than translation: proofreading, editing, review of a draft - Rush, weekend or specialist surcharges as their own lines - Certification, notarization or sworn translation fees - Payment terms and your payment details, plus any tax form the agency needs ## How translators bill The per-word rate is the standard, set by language pair and by the type of text: legal, medical and technical translation cost more than general text. Proofreading and review are priced lower, often per word or per hour. Documents like certificates are sold per page or as a flat fee. Minimum fees are common for very short jobs. Agencies pay on terms from 30 to 60 days and often require a job number and a specific invoice format. Direct clients tend to pay faster. Always state the word count, the rate and the language pair on the invoice, and add surcharges for urgent work as separate lines. Agency clients that send a monthly stream of jobs may be happy with one invoice per month listing every job. ## Tips to get paid faster 1. Put the job number on the invoice. Agencies often cannot pay without it. 2. Say how the word count was done. Source or target, with or without repetitions, can change the total. 3. Charge a minimum fee for short texts. A 120 word job still takes setup time. 4. Bill rush work with a clear surcharge, and agree it before accepting. 5. Chase agencies politely but firmly with a [payment reminder](https://jiffy-invoice.com/features/payment-reminders), and keep your tax paperwork ready. ## Common invoice mistakes - Billing target words when the contract says source words, or the reverse - Forgetting to add the surcharge you quoted for urgent work - Sending a monthly invoice with several jobs and no job numbers ## Questions ### What should a translation invoice include? Your details, the client, the job number, the language pair, the word count and rate, any proofreading or rush fees, certification, the total, the due date and payment details. ### How do I bill per word? Add a line with the word count as the quantity and the per-word rate as the price. The total is worked out for you. ### Should I charge a minimum? Yes, for short jobs. A minimum fee covers the time it takes to read, set up and deliver even a short text. ### Is this translation invoice template free? Yes. Fill it in and download the PDF with no account. ## Templates for other trades - [freelance writers](https://jiffy-invoice.com/invoice-template/freelance-writing) - [consultants](https://jiffy-invoice.com/invoice-template/consulting) - [tutors](https://jiffy-invoice.com/invoice-template/tutoring) - [bookkeepers](https://jiffy-invoice.com/invoice-template/bookkeeping) [Invoice templates by trade](https://jiffy-invoice.com/invoice-template) Source: https://jiffy-invoice.com/invoice-template/translation