1. What is a sworn translation?
A sworn translation is an official translation of a document that must be submitted to public administrations or other official institutions. The translation must be signed and stamped by the sworn translator-interpreter. The translator must also certify that it is a faithful translation of the original document.
2. Who can do a sworn translation?
Sworn translators-interpreters are certified and accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. They are the only independent professionals authorised to perform this kind of translation.
3. Can a sworn translator-interpreter do direct and reverse translations?
Yes, the appointment as sworn translator-interpreter allows us to translate in both directions: to the mother tongue (direct translations) and to the foreign language (reverse translations). However, the person who needs the translation must bear in mind that the receiving institution is the one who decides whether to accept the sworn translation done by a Spanish translator-interpreter or not. For that reason, the client must confirm that this institution will accept the translation.
In accordance with Article 6.4 of Regulation (EU) 2016/1191, a sworn or certified translation carried out by a Spanish sworn translator shall be accepted in all Member States if one of the languages involved is official in the country of destination of the translation.
4. What documents may be subject to a sworn translation?
These are some of the documents that you may have to submit to public administrations or any other institution that asks for a certified or sworn translation:
- Academic documents (certificates, transcripts, degrees, etc.)
- Articles of association
- Birth, marriage and death certificates
- Certificates issued by banks, savings banks, etc.
- Contracts
- Criminal record certificates
- Documents related to adoptions
- Driving licence
- Judgments
- Lawsuits (divorce petitions, etc.)
- Medical certificates and reports
- Newspaper and research articles
- Notarial documents (deeds, testaments, powers of attorney, etc.)
- Passports
- Patents
- Spanish family records
- Visas
- Work and residence permits
In short, a sworn translation can be applied to any document written in a foreign language or Spanish that you need to perform certain administrative processes.
5. How do I send the original document and receive the translation?
If possible, you should always send or give the original document to the sworn translator-interpreter. Sworn translations can also be done if you decide to e-mail a scanned document or send a copy. In accordance with the new legislation, the copy or scanned document should always be legible since a copy of the original document will be attached to the translation. Moreover, this copy will include the date and seal of the translator on each page.
Once the document has been translated, it will be delivered in person or sent by mail to the client. In the first case, the original document must always be shown.
6. Are sworn translations printed on official stamped paper?
Although some translators use this type of paper, it is not necessary for these translations in accordance with the Spanish legislation.
7. Is it necessary that sworn translations bear an official seal of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation?
No. Sworn translations must only bear the official seal of the translator. No official seal of the ministry is required.
8. Can I submit a photocopy of my sworn translation?
You should always submit the original translation since it is the only valid document. However, you can also submit photocopies if they are accepted by the requiring authority.
9. Can I have more copies of my sworn translation?
If you require more than one copy of a sworn translation, a duplication rate of 20 % of the original price will be charged.
10. I have a document in Italian that has to be translated into English. Can sworn translator of English-Spanish do this translation if they speak Italian?
No. In accordance with the current Spanish legislation, sworn translators can only translate from and into Spanish. This means that no direct translations can be done if Spanish is not involved in the process. In this case, you will need an official translator from another country with the pair of languages required. You can also ask for a bridge translation which will require a two-step process (a translation from Italian into Spanish and from Spanish into English).
For more information about sworn translations, please have a look at the corresponding section on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation.