Sworn and legal translation · English ↔ Spanish
Official certified translations of documents required for submission to public authorities,
universities, courts, notaries, and other official institutions. Official documents often require a sworn translation by a translator officially appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
These translations are certified through the translator’s signature, seal, and/or qualified
electronic signature.
Accurate, reliable, and legally sound translations of legal documents, ensuring that the content retains its meaning, validity, and legal effect in the target language. Legal translation requires far more than advanced language skills. It demands a deep understanding of legal systems, legal concepts, and specialized terminology. For this reason, this service is designed primarily for law firms, administrative consultants, businesses, and professionals who require highly reliable and confidential legal document translation.
Translation services tailored to the needs of companies with international operations or
business activities abroad, including incorporation documents, contracts, official
communications, reports, accounting documents, and more. Whether your company operates
internationally, plans to establish a business abroad, or is involved in international trade,
professional translation services help ensure legal compliance and maintain a professional
corporate image.
A sworn translation is an official translation with legal validity rendered by a Sworn Translator officially appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. The translator certifies the accuracy of the translation through their signature and a certification statement.
Sworn translations are typically required when foreign documents are submitted to Spanish authorities or when Spanish documents are submitted abroad.
Common examples include:
They are frequently required for administrative, legal, academic, and migration procedures.
Only professionals who have obtained the official Sworn Translator qualification issued by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, in accordance with Royal Decree 724/2020. , are authorized to provide sworn translations in Spain.
Traditionally, sworn translations were issued in paper format with a signature and seal. Today, they may also be issued electronically with the translator’s qualified electronic signature.
Yes. Spanish regulations allow sworn translations to be signed electronically, provided that a qualified electronic signature system is used. This possibility is regulated by Order AUC/213/2025 of February 26, 2025.
No. A high-quality scanned copy of the document is usually sufficient. The copy will be attached to the sworn translation.
When a document includes a Hague Apostille, authorities often require the Apostille to be included and translated as part of the sworn translation because it forms part of the official document certifying authenticity for use abroad. In some cases, Apostilles are issued in multiple languages and may not need to be included in the sworn translation. However, certain institutions may still require any additional information contained in the Apostille to be translated. It is always advisable to confirm the requirements with the authority asking for the translation.
Turnaround time depends primarily on the type, length, and complexity of the document. If you send scanned copies of the document when you request a quote, I’ll be able to give you an accurate estimate.
The cost of a sworn translation depends on several factors, including document length, complexity, language combination, and certification requirements. A clearly legible scanned copy of the document is sufficient to receive an accurate quote.
Sworn translations do not have an expiration date. However, some institutions may require recently issued translations, particularly when the original document has limited validity, such as criminal record certificates or registry certificates.
It depends on the requirements of the institution asking for the translation. In many cases, Spanish authorities require translations performed by a Sworn Translator officially accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For this reason, it is advisable to verify the specific requirements before commissioning a translation abroad.
It usually is, particularly within the European Union. However, some institutions may require additional formalities or the translation to be rendered by a translator accredited in their own country or by specific institutions. Always check the requirements of the institution requesting the translation.
The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains an official directory of Sworn Translators and Interpreters where accredited professionals and language combinations can be verified. Access it here. You can find my details in this directory by searching for my name (Sara) and surname (Piñeiro Martín). My Sworn Translator registration number is 10374.
The validity of electronically signed documents issued in Spain can be verified through the official signature validation platform (here) by selecting the “Validar firma” (Validate sSignature) option.
