This paper shows a qualitative phenomenological research study aimed at analyzing if translation clients consider the profile of the translator, when they require their services. Thus, this study focuses on the analysis of two essential factors: formal education and certification and how they impact on the demand for translation services. The author applied a survey to 88 translation clients in Colombia, who were randomly selected. It is found that there is a high percentage of official documents to be translated, but it is also revealed that the main criteria for clients to select a translator is his/her certification as official, even if this certificate is not necessary. The results imply that clients in general do not understand the difference between professional and certified translator. Finally, it is suggested that the creation of other kind of certifications for translators depend on the specific area they translate, in order to certify professional translators in different areas additional to “official”.