Sworn Translations

Any type of document, whether legal, economic, medical, scientific-technical, etc., may require a sworn translation when submitted to official or private entities. Sworn translations are carried out by a sworn translator appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation. These translated documents bear the signature and stamp of the sworn translator, as well as their Sworn Translator and Interpreter number (TIJ No.), certifying that the accompanying translation is faithful and accurate. This type of translation is essential to ensure the legal integrity and accuracy of texts in official procedures and international processes.

Entities requiring Sworn Translations

Sworn translations are crucial for a wide range of public and private entities that require officially validated translated documents. These entities include:

• Public Authorities: Ministries, immigration offices, police departments, employment centers, courts and tribunals, civil registries, social security offices, and customs authorities. All these bodies require officially translated documents to process various legal and administrative procedures.
• Notary offices: Notaries frequently require sworn translations to validate the authenticity of foreign documents in legal proceedings.
• The Church: For procedures such as marriages or baptisms, where one of the relevant documents is not in the local language.
• Educational Institutions: Schools and Universities may request sworn translations of academic documents such as degrees, diplomas, or certificates from foreign studies.
• Banking Institutions: Banks often require sworn translations of foreign financial documents to open accounts, grant loans, or conduct international transactions.

When submitting a document in a foreign language to any of these entities, it is essential to have a sworn translation that officially certifies its content.

Types of documents that require a sworn translation

Sworn translations are necessary to guarantee the legal validity of important documents when they are presented to official authorities, both nationally and internationally. Here are some of the most common documents that usually require this type of translation:

• Certificates: This includes birth, marriage, death, criminal record, and medical certificates, which are essential for procedures such as visa applications, international marriages, and other legal processes.
• Academic Degrees: Diplomas, undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, transcripts and other educational documents that are necessary when studying abroad, validation of studies, or job applications that require validation of academic training.
• Contracts: Employment contracts, sales contracts, leases and other types of legal agreements that need to be presented to authorities or interested parties in another country.
• Legal and Judicial Documents: Judgments, court decisions, wills, powers of attorney and any legal document that must be recognised by foreign authorities.
• Corporate Documents: Financial reports, company incorporations, memorandums of understanding and any other corporate documents that need to be submitted to international entities or partners.
• Identity Documents: Passports, driving licences and other personal identification documents that need to be translated for identification or residency processes in other countries.
• Medical Records: Treatment reports, diagnoses, medical records and informed consents, which are necessary for treatment abroad or consultations with health professionals who speak another language.