When you need to present official documents in another country, it is essential to understand what kind of translation will be required. A sworn translation and a certified translation are not the same, and choosing the wrong one could lead to rejections, delays and even duplicated costs. That’s why knowing the difference and having a specialized agency is key, especially if you need an Italian-Spanish translator, a Russian-Spanish translator or even a Spanish-Catalan translator for documentation in particular regions.
What is a sworn translation and when is it needed?
A sworn translation is carried out by a sworn translator, who is accredited by an official body, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Spain. This kind of translation carries legal validity and must include the stamp, signature and official declaration of the translator, who guarantees that it is a faithful representation of the original.
This is the format required by courts, notaries, universities and public administrations. If you need to translate a contract, an academic record, a birth certificate or a court sentence, a sworn translation is often compulsory.
Also, if your documents are in co-official languages, such as Catalan or Basque, you may need a Basque-Castilian translator or a Spanish-Catalan translator who is experienced in official documentation.
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation also guarantees that it is a faithful representation, but it does not necessarily come from a sworn translator. It can be issued by a professional or an agency that certifies, in writing, that the translation is accurate. This kind of translation is commonly used in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom or Canada, where there is no sworn translator registry, but a written professional endorsement is required.
For example, if you need to present corporate or personal documents translated into English, you probably need a certified translation rather than a sworn translation. At Blarlo, we work with English translation experts, adapting to the requirements of the recipient country.
Which one do you need and how can Blarlo help you?
With Blarlo, requesting a certified translation in Rome, Madrid, Berlin or any other city is quick and easy. You just need to fill out our contact form, indicating:
- The type of document you need to translate
- The source and target language, and
- Most importantly: the country where you are going to present the translation.
This last one is key as the type of translation needed will depend on the destination country:
- In some countries, a sworn, legally validated translation that has been signed by a recognized sworn translator is needed.
- In other cases, all that is needed is a certified translation that has been signed by the translator or the agency, with no need for it to be officially sworn.
Our team will advise you to assign the right translator depending on the destination’s legal requirements. If you need an Italian-Spanish translator for legal paperwork, a Russian-Spanish translator for migration records, or you work at a growing company that is looking for a translation agency in Bilbao, Blarlo can help you choose the right option. Because every language, every document and every country requires a specific approach. Get in touch!
