Sworn translation: Everything you need to know

Have you heard of sworn translation but aren’t sure it’s what you need? Don’t worry! We’re going to look at what is a sworn translation, when you will need one and how they differ from other types of translation.

What is a sworn translation?

A sworn translation is an official translation that can only be translated, signed and stamped by a sworn translator who is accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation. In other words, it’s a legally valid translation that the sworn translator takes responsibility for.

Many of the texts that are translated within the scope of sworn translations are legal, but be careful!  Don’t confuse sworn translation with legal translation – it’s NOT the same thing. How do they differ?

Differences between a sworn translation and legal translation

There are two main differences between these two types of translation. On the one hand, the translator and, on the other, the stamp and signature.

Sworn translations must be carried out by a translator who is qualified for that purpose. However, a legal translation can be carried out by any translator with experience in that field.

Furthermore, the major difference lies in the fact that a sworn translation carries the signature, stamp and certification of the sworn translator, while a legal translation will never have any of these three things.

In what cases might I need a sworn translation?

A sworn translation will be required when you are going to submit that translation to public bodies or courts, for example. In other words, when you need an official translation that proves the translation says exactly the same thing as the original document.

Some common scenarios where a sworn translation is always required include: applying for citizenship, applying for a visa, and validating educational qualifications, among others.

Types of documents that require sworn translations

Every case is different, so we strongly recommend that you always check with the organisation where you will be submitting the document to see if a sworn translation is required. Nevertheless, BigTranslation is here to help you find out if your document requires an official translation.

Some documents that usually require a sworn translation are:

  • Notarial documents and deeds.
  • Special powers of attorney.
  • Certificates of marriage, birth, death, criminal record, etc.
  • University degree certificates and academic records.
  • Employment contracts.
  • Wills.

Legalisation of official documents that require sworn translations

It’s common for the legalisation or endorsement (Apostille) of the original document to be required in addition to the sworn translation. But what is legalisation? What is the Hague Apostille?

Legalisation verifies the authenticity of the signature that appears on a document and the Hague Apostille is a specific type of legalisation that can only be used on documents that come from a country that is one of the 100 signatories to The Hague Convention.

Public documents that often require a Hague Apostille or legalisation include notarial documents; birth, death or marriage certificates; criminal records; affidavits, etc.

Remember that the original documents must be legalised first and then the sworn translation is done afterwards. First legalise, then translate!

What elements must be included in a sworn translation?

1. The sworn translator’s certification: a sentence that states the language of the source text, the language the document has been translated into, and the place and date of the translation.

2. The sworn translator’s stamp: a stamp with the translator’s full name, language or languages they are authorised to translate and their sworn translator number.

3. The sworn translator’s signature: the translator’s signature must appear with the stamp and certification.

4. Copy of the original document: the translation must be accompanied by a copy of the original document, stamped and dated on all its pages.

With BigTranslation, you won’t have to worry about a thing. We only work with duly certified sworn translators, and we ensure that all these elements are included in your sworn translation.

Are you going to get married abroad and need the sworn translation of your birth certificate or a single status certificate? Are you going to study in another country and require the sworn translation of your academic records? Are you applying for a digital nomad visa and need a sworn translation of your employment contract, a letter from the company that authorises remote working or a criminal record certificate? Don’t wait any longer – request your sworn translation from BigTranslation today!

BigTranslation is the only agency that offers sworn translation services with an Instant Quote directly from the website. The process is very simple and the speed and quality of your sworn translation are guaranteed!

Translate your website and get ready to propel yourself towards the international market

Why is translating your website so important and highly recommended?

Translating your website is a good investment. Years ago, companies opted for websites as a cover letter to show the world. Nowadays, having a professional website, among other tools, continues to be essential for small and medium-sized companies that want to expand and see their businesses grow.

Whether you are a company that already works with some markets or you want to open up to this new possibility, or you wish to achieve a good positioning and a wider and more varied audience, translating your website professionally and effectively is crucial to reach these goals.  Who knows, you might connect with a company, institution or customer that takes your business to the next level…

Online internationalisation represents a unique growth opportunity

The growth of the business and opening to new markets are key goals for small companies, and it’s essential to have the tools that drive that desired change. There is no doubt that translating your website will have a significant impact on the internationalisation of your company.

An increasing number of companies are seeing an excellent business opportunity in selling and distributing their products and services online. This new way of approaching the national and international market makes it virtually imperative to translate the company’s distinctive brand into the languages of the countries in which these agreements and services will be offered. When a potential customer searches for a product or service via the internet, they normally do it in their own language. That’s why translating the website into the language or languages of the places in which you wish to position the company and offer its products is key.

Having a high-quality, professional translation for your website is important

We all like to speak in our own language, in the broadest sense of the word. That’s why, when it comes to choosing a translation service, make sure the work will be carried out by native and professional translators. BigTranslation always ensures the quality, professionalism and reach of your website translation.

There are automatic website translation tools, but these options are incredibly inaccurate. The best process is called “localisation”. It doesn’t just encompass the translation of the text contained on the website, it entails an adaptation process, which is much more comprehensive. It involves adjusting parameters such as the register of the text, layout, colours, images or even, the content, depending on the cultural nuances and context of each audience, minimising language barriers as much as possible. Therefore, it isn’t just about replacing some words for others, the whole context that surrounds the translation must be taken into consideration to convey the message in the target language in the best way possible.

Don’t forget the importance of positioning on search engines…

At BigTranslation, we know a lot about this and have an additional SEO translation service so that your SEO strategy can be reflected in the translations, ensuring the best positioning in your target market. This is fundamental for improving the SEO positioning of websites.

The company’s visibility will reach a higher level of quality and potential, thanks to the translation professionals handling the task. Consequently, brand recognition in the target market will increase significantly. This is an investment with a high margin return, in other words, the profit obtained usually far exceeds the effort and capital invested in this activity. Although the initial investment may seem high, it will pay off relatively quickly. Moreover, the customer will feel confident when presented with a text that is both high-quality and efficient. According to market economy experts, a professional translation of a website is one of the most crucial and valued aspects among internet users and customers.

Choose a trusted supplier

You can choose from various suppliers in the translation industry to translate your website. If your website has a large volume of content, it’s highly recommended to collaborate with a translation company capable of managing and handling large-scale translations into multiple language combinations. This sort of company should have a team of professional translators who specialise in your sector.

Here at BigTranslation, we offer our customers a quote tailored to the specific needs of each brand. We offer the option of a quote to translate the website via the company’s URL or using the texts extracted from it, in an editable format, if available.

Moreover, we have an additional SEO translation service, so the customer’s SEO strategy can be preserved in the translation. This helps secure the best positioning in the target market.

It’s time to keep growing professionally and expand your business opportunities. We encourage you to partner with us on this rewarding journey that offers short-term benefits. Here at BigTranslation, we will be delighted to help propel your success.

Do you know the ROI for translating your brand?

Translating your brand and localising it for a specific market is an essential process nowadays. What’s more, we know from experience that it generates an extremely positive ROI (return on investment), and it’s this information that will help you to establish whether your online marketing campaigns are having the expected impact in the target market.

Read more “Do you know the ROI for translating your brand?”

Don’t come to a halt during the summer, let’s aim for the very best September

We don’t stop in the summer. Here, we carry on providing you the best service that your translation projects require.  Create your order at any time and from anywhere in the world.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re in the office or under a parasol on the beach.  

How can we guarantee this type of service with unlimited opening times? 

It’s very simple. We provide an instant quote service which is fast, intuitive and easy to use. A method of configuring your project requirements in simple steps so you don’t have to think about it until the delivery date. You can create your order using the instant quote from anywhere, without any complications or waiting. We remove the endless email trails, the waiting for each reply, any uncertainty about time zones, and we offer a secure and simple method so you can create your order from wherever you are.  

You can select the rate that is best suited to the requirements of your text.  Do you need the text sooner than you expected? Would you like one of our native language translators to carry out an additional proofreading? Do you need to position your content in this new language? You can find all of these services in the extras that you can select when choosing the rate for your project.  

We have clear and secure payment methods. You can choose whether to make your payment through PayPal, credit card or bank transfer.  From this point onwards you can relax while the instant quote and our translation platform work their magic.  

Your project will be generated automatically on our platform where only the translators that are specialists in the subject matter and the sector of your documents will be able to view them and carry out the translation. The work is done under the supervision of our professional team of project managers who will provide guidance to the translators and answer any questions they may have from the start of the translation to the handover of the end result. 

Others stop, but we want to give you the best ‘back to business’ in September, and that means offering you the best service during the summer. If you don’t stop, we won’t either.  

LOCALISATION: you have probably heard of it but… do you know what it means?

Localisation in translation, or l10n, as it is known in the sector, is the process of translation, adaptation and adjustment of the texts we find in videogames, websites, blogs and many other products.

Read more “LOCALISATION: you have probably heard of it but… do you know what it means?”