Document translation API and MCP server
Send a PDF or a scan, get the same document back in another language: layout, tables, logos and every number kept. Or an editable Word (DOCX) file that looks like the original. Two ways in: a REST API for your code, and an MCP server for Claude, ChatGPT and any MCP client.
# 1. send the file (raw bytes in the body) curl -X POST "https://samedoc.app/api/translate?name=payslip.pdf&from=Hebrew&to=English" \ --data-binary @payslip.pdf # -> 202 {"id": "3f9a1c2b7d4e", "preview": "/files/3f9a1c2b7d4e/preview.png"} # 2. poll until state is "done" curl "https://samedoc.app/api/job/3f9a1c2b7d4e" # -> {"state": "done", "result": {"pdf": "/files/3f9a1c2b7d4e/payslip-en.pdf", ...}}
Two ways to use Samedoc from software
Same engine, same output as the website. Pick the one that fits where your documents are.
MCP server
A remote MCP server (Streamable HTTP). Add it as a connector in Claude or ChatGPT, or call it from any MCP client or agent framework.
https://samedoc.app/mcp
translate_document: a PDF or scan in, the same document in another language out.convert_to_word: a PDF or scan in, an editable Word (DOCX) file out.get_translation: status and download links of a job that is still running.get_upload_link: a page where the user uploads the file when the client can't pass it.
REST API
Three endpoints: start a translation, start a PDF to Word conversion, read a job. Files go in as raw bytes, results come back as download links.
- Input: PDF, PNG, JPG or WEBP, up to 25 MB.
- Output: PDF in the original layout, or DOCX; a before/after image of page 1; a JSON report with the quality checks.
- Languages: Hebrew, Arabic, Russian, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Italian and more;
from=autodetects the source. - Volume, more pages per file and the Pro model: email us.
Endpoints
Base URL https://samedoc.app. Every answer is JSON. Errors come as {"error": "..."} with status 400 (bad file), 402 (paid model), 404 (unknown job) or 429 (over the limit).
POST /api/translate
Starts a translation. The request body is the file itself (raw bytes, not multipart). Answers 202 with the job id.
| Query parameter | Meaning |
|---|---|
name | File name with its extension, e.g. payslip.pdf. Sets the type of the file and the names of the output files. |
from | Source language, e.g. Hebrew. Default auto. |
to | Target language, e.g. English. Default English. |
quality | balanced (Samedoc PDF 1, default), fast (Mini) or best (Pro, paid access). |
POST /api/word
Starts a PDF to Word conversion: the same page as an editable DOCX, tables, text boxes and right-to-left text in place. Body and name as above; no language parameters.
curl -X POST "https://samedoc.app/api/word?name=letter.pdf" --data-binary @letter.pdf
GET /api/job/{id}
The job's state. Poll every few seconds; a page takes about a minute. Download links are relative to the base URL and stay up for 24 hours, then the files are deleted.
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
state | running, done or failed. |
step | What the engine is doing now, or why it failed. |
result.pdf | The translated PDF (translate jobs). |
result.docx | The Word file (PDF to Word jobs). |
result.before, result.after | PNG of page 1, original and output. |
result.report | JSON report: pages, text boxes, which ones were read by AI, and the quality checks. |
result.pages, result.seconds | Pages processed and how long it took. |
Limits today
The API runs on the same free plan as the website until you get access from us.
Need more than the free limits?
Write to us and we'll set you up: higher limits, longer files, the Pro model and a price per page for your volume. Tell us:
- roughly how many documents a month, and how many pages each;
- the languages and the kinds of documents (payslips, bank statements, certificates, contracts...);
- whether you'll call the REST API, the MCP server, or both.
Questions
Do I need an API key?
Not for the free limits: the endpoints above work as they are, counted per IP like the website. For anything beyond that, email us and we'll set up access for you.
What happens to the files?
They're processed to make the translation or the Word file and deleted after 24 hours. Text is sent to the AI model that translates it. Details in the privacy policy.
Is the MCP server really free?
Yes, within a shared daily pool. Add https://samedoc.app/mcp as a custom connector in Claude or ChatGPT; no account or key. Heavy use: email us.
Can I get the translation as Word too?
Today the API returns the translated PDF, and a separate PDF to Word call returns the DOCX of the original. A translated DOCX in one call is available on request.
Are the translations certified?
No. They're made with AI and checked by 22 automatic quality checks; you're responsible for reviewing them. A professional manual review is available at extra cost.