Sworn Translations into Spanish

Spanish definition for "Sworn Translation".

Sworn Translations is the popular term for Certified Translations, true translations with worldwide legal validity, signed and sealed by "Certified Translators", following a protocol that changes substantially from one country to another. Any public document requested by a Spanish Administration, university, notary or judge, will need to be written in Spanish or undergo a Sworn Translation into Spanish. If you need to deliver an official document in Spain, and it is originally written in English, you will need to request a Certified Translation from English into Spanish.

Legalization, Translation and Apostille.

Spain legislation is quite strict regarding Sworn Translations. Most public documents will need an Hague Apostille before being translated. Some documents might even need to have the signature legalized prior to any other procedure.

How does a Spanish Sworn Translation look like?

Sworn translations in Spain include the fully translated text, a copy of the original text, and the translator’s oath and signature.

All pages of the translation should be signed and sealed by the translator. Furthermore, the last page, at the bottom, should include a certification or an oath of the translator, declaring that the Spanish Translation is a complete and faithful reproduction of the original.

Sworn Translations in Spain.

All documents to be delivered to public officials in Spain, originally written in a language other than Spanish, must undergo a Sworn Translation into Spanish to be accepted by Public Administration bodies, universities, public notaries or judicial courts.

Certified Translators in Spain.

Spain has a very developed legislation on Certified Translations. Certified Translators are called "Traductores Intérpretes Jurados", and are appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MACC). To become a Certified Translator, applicants must pass an examination, then they register their signature and get an official ID. Certified Translators in Spain act as public officials and are the only ones entitled to certify that the Sworn Translation they sign and seal, is a complete and faithful reproduction of the original. They are all listed at a public "Lista Oficial de Intérpretes Jurados".

UK or USA citizen willing to study in Spain?

If you are a British or American student willing to study in Madrid or Barcelona, you will be asked to provide your University Degree (or Academic Certificate) and Grades Certificate in Spanish language. You could do that in US, or in UK, but if you want to stick to the safest option, you should get your Spanish Translation done in Spain, to guarantee it is not going to be rejected by local authorities.

Spanish institutions understand no English.

Spanish is Spain's only official language (besides Catalan and other local languages). No Spanish institution will accept any document written in English, unless accompanied by a Sworn Translation, signed, stamped and duly legalised by a truthfull statement from a Certified Translator, recognised by the Spanish "Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores" (MAE).

If you come from UK or the US to study in Spain, you will need a Sworn Translation from English into Spanish of your academic qualifications to be admitted at any Spanish University.

Let us make your arrival to Spain much easier.

Our agency delivers Sworn Translations into Spanish every day: titles and diplomas, affidavits, deeds, annual accounts, articles of association, birth, death or marriage certificates, summons, court notifications, wills, extracts from the Trade Register, etc.

We really advise you to make sure you actually need your translation to Spanish be "Sworn", as Sworn Translations are more expensive and take much longer than standard translations.

What is the Hague Apostille?

The Hague Apostille is the abbreviated legalisation process used for all the countries signatories of the Hague Convention, including Spain, United Kingdom, Ireland and the United States. It certifies that the signatory of your document, is a legitimate authority in your country. It is a large seal bearing the EU flag. The Apostille must also be translated.

What is a signature legalisation?

The Hague Convention only identifies the signatures of the more relevant people and bodies of each country: Colleges of Notaries, Superior Court of Justice, Ministries, etc. But some documents bear signature of "lower" bodies, which will compel you to legalise (authenticate) it before the superior body. In these cases you will have to request local authorities to legalise the signature prior to any other procedure.

Do I need to get an Hague Apostille?

If they haven't mentioned it, then you probably don't need it (even better!). Ask the organism which is requesting the Sworn Translation, as this matter is quite discretionary and not at all predictable.

Where to get the Hague Apostille.

Request the Apostille there where the document was issued.

Where to get an Apostille in Spain?

Public documents can be apostilled at Oficina de Atención al Ciudadano, Delegaciones del Ministerio de Justicia (Gerencias Territoriales) and Secretarías de los Tribunales Superiores de Justicia. Notarial documents must be apostilled at Colegios Notariales. For judicial documents, address the secretaries of the Court where to document was issued.

Where to get an apostille in Madrid
Where to get an apostille in Barcelona

Where to get an Apostille in other countries.

Learn where to get an Hague Apostille in UK / USA.
Learn where to get an Hague Apostille in Italy.
Learn where to get an Hague Apostille in France.
Learn where to get an Hague Apostille in Germany.