If a document issued in Portugal is going to be used in Spain, the official translation of Portuguese documents must be carried out in accordance with the requirements specified by the procedure. A good translation isn’t enough by itself: it also needs to carry official validity. In Spain, that validity is provided through translations certified by a qualified sworn translator.
When an official translation is needed
Not all Portuguese documents always need an official translation to be presented in Spain. With some public documents, such as birth or marriage certificates, European Union regulations allow you to do without a sworn translation if the document is accompanied with a standard multilingual form from the relevant authority. However, there are many instances in which Spanish bodies may require an official translation, so it is best to check before presenting the documentation.
Who can provide a valid official translation?
This part is important. In Spain, official translations are certified by the Oficina de Interpretación de Lenguas (Office for Language Interpretation), carried out by a sworn translator with a qualification awarded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or issued in particular instances by diplomatic representations or consular offices. The qualified individual must also certify the translation’s faithfulness to the original text and accuracy with their signature and stamp, and provide a copy of the original.
This is important because many Portuguese professional translations may be impeccably done from a language point of view and, even so, be unable to be used for an official procedure if they do not bear that certification. That’s why, when the document is going to be presented at a Spanish administration, using a translation agency for Portuguese texts can provide a speedier, seamless, and professional translation process.
What to check before commissioning an official translation
Before asking for an official translation of Portuguese documents, there are three items to check that will avoid all sorts of problems. The first is confirming whether the receiving body requires a sworn translation. The second is seeing whether the document falls into one of the EU cases in which a multilingual form can be used. And the third is checking whether an Apostille or legalization is also needed, because many administrative procedures in Spain require foreign public documents to be translated into Spanish and also properly legalized or apostilled, unless exempted.
The most common mistake
The most common mistake doesn’t usually revolve around the language, but around how the documentation is prepared for presentation. Often, a Portuguese to Spanish translation is commissioned, but not one that the relevant body requires. So, before sending a Portuguese document in Spain, it is best to check whether a simple translation is enough, or if an official translation of Portuguese documents is required. This is where a thorough review in advance can avoid delays, additional requirements, and unnecessary procedures. In these cases, using a translation agency for Portuguese texts will give you a professional, clear translation that is suited to the type of document.
