When a company or individual needs to present a university degree, a contract, a judicial sentence, or a birth certificate to a public body, a simple translation isn’t enough. In Spain, most administrations require a sworn translation of official documents, i.e., a translation with legal validity, signed and sealed by a professional authorized by the State.
That person is a sworn translator, appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. Their translations are deemed official and considered comparable to the original document when presented to notaries, courts, universities, or other public and private institutions.
What exactly is sworn translation of official documents?
Sworn translation is a specialized translation that includes a signature, stamp, and certification form by which the translator states that the translated content is complete and faithful to the original. Unlike a standard translation, the goal is not just linguistic accuracy, but the legal validity of the document.
It can apply to a wide range of texts, including civil certificates (birth, marriage, and death), academic qualifications, university records, business contracts, powers of attorney, sentences, deeds, or articles of association. In each of these cases, choosing a sworn translation service guarantees that the document will be accepted by the relevant administration, provided it meets the formal requirements (paper, handwritten or electronic signature, stamp, attached originals, etc.).
Having a sworn translation for official documents is particularly relevant in standardization processes for studies, international tenders, branch openings, employee mobility, and documentation for immigration and nationality, where a terminology mistake can delay or freeze the entire process.
Where and how do you contract a sworn translation service in Spain?
Today, the most efficient option for companies and individuals is to use a professional translation agency that manages the project with a team of sworn translators authorized for each language combination. These agencies centralize the process: they receive and verify the documents, allocate an appropriate sworn translator, ensure quality control, and deliver the hard copy and/or soft copy of the translations, depending on the institution’s requirements.
When choosing a sworn translation service, it is a good idea to look for certain aspects:
- That the sworn translator is officially appointed for the language pair required.
- That the agency is experienced in the type of document (legal, academic, corporate, etc.).
- That it offers traceability in the process and realistic delivery timeframes, especially in large or multilingual projects.
- That it can issue sworn translations both in hard copy and soft copy format with a recognized digital signature, when the body so permits.
In a setting where internationalization and document management are increasingly complex, having the support of a specialist sworn translator brings legal certainty, consistent terminology, and streamlined procedures for both companies and individuals who need their official documents to be fully valid in Spain or abroad.
