Sworn Translation

Sworn Translation is necessary in situations which require the legalisation of documents that are in other languages, such as in immigration processes, studies abroad and legal and commercial formalities, for example.

The most common areas of application for sworn translations are official documents such as birth, marriage and death certificates, university degrees, medical certificates, employment contracts, notarial deeds, etc.

At Word Works, we have extensive experience in the management of sworn translations for presentation in different parts of the world.

ISO 9001 for general quality processes.

ISO 17100 for quality applied directly to the management and execution of translation projects.

ISO 18587 for quality applied to the tools used in machine translation processes.

The ISO 13485 certificate is an international standard that sets requirements for quality management systems in the medical device industry.

Depending on the intended use. If a translation is to be used in legal proceedings, it needs be certified by a sworn translator. If the translation is of an informative or expository nature, for example, it doesn't need to be sworn.

The best way to be sure is to get in touch with our team and have a chat. With more information, we'll be able to tell you how best to proceed and whether or not you need a sworn translation.

The process of producing a sworn translation is similar to that of a conventional translation, except that it can only be undertaken by authorised translators (again, depending on the intended use and country).

As a general rule, a sworn translator carries out both the translation and the proofreading, as their signature and stamp make them legally responsible for the accuracy of the translated content.

A sworn translator in Spain is a translator who, after an exam, is officially certified by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

The same applies to a sworn interpreter who, unlike a translator, instead of translating written texts, interprets orally in various types of trials or litigation.

It depends where that translation is intended for. In Spain, a sworn translation can only be carried out by a sworn translator who is certified by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation after sitting a specific exam.

However, in Portugal, for example, there are no sworn translators. So for a translation to have legal value in our neighbouring country, the text needs to be translated by any translator (depending on the speciality) and subsequently notarised by a Portuguese notary.

Translations produced by sworn translators have a legal and official value that is recognised by the authorities. In other words, once a translator has been appointed and registered as a sworn translator, their translations are valid in any field where an official translation is required, such as administrative, judicial or academic procedures.

Sworn Translations are a guarantee that the original document and its translation have the same legal value and that the translation is faithful to the original.

Sworn Translations are usually required by official bodies such as consulates, embassies, courts, notaries and public administrations, etc.

They may also be required for studies, visa applications, naturalisation processes and other legal procedures.

Some private companies may also request sworn translations for official documents regarding their business activity, such as international contracts, quality certificates, patents and trademark registrations.

It depends on the country and the type of process in question. Generally speaking, if the original document is written in a language other than the official language of the country where it is submitted, a sworn translation may be required for it to be accepted as evidence in legal proceedings.

However, the rules may vary depending on the country and the type of proceedings in question, so it is advisable to find out in advance about the specific sworn translation requirements in each case.

Sworn translators make a legal commitment regarding their translations, which is why they have to pass an exhaustive examination to be appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.