Sworn Translation Services
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Are you in need of a document to be translated and sworn by a certified translator? At Espresso Translations, we are a trusted provider of professional sworn translation services, with a network of court-approved translators worldwide. Our service covers the sworn translation of official documents across numerous language pairs.
Our Sworn Translation Agency in the UK
Our sworn translations are widely accepted by consulates, embassies, foreign public organisations, and legal courts, and are executed by sworn translators who are recognised and approved by governmental bodies.
If you are required by a foreign public entity or court to have your documents translated for official use, you may need a sworn translation. While the requirements may vary from country to country, our team of sworn translation specialists can help you discern precisely which service you require.
We can facilitate the translation of an array of documents, including legal proceedings, contracts, ID documents, and visa & immigration documents, across more than 200 language pairs.
In addition to our sworn services, we also provide solicitor certification, apostille legalisation, consultancy, and document formatting maintenance. These supplementary services ensure that your final documents comply with all legal prerequisites, regardless of the jurisdiction.
The below table provides a brief overview of our sworn translation service:
| Accepted By | Consulates, embassies, overseas government authorities, foreign-language public bodies, legal courts |
| Translator Credentials | Translations certified by sworn translators recognized and approved by government authorities |
| Quality Assurance | ISO 17100:2015 Certified |
| Pricing | Fixed-rate pricing starting from £50 (+VAT) |
| Turnaround Time | 48 hours, 24 hours, Same Day Delivery |
| Delivery | Free digital delivery. Postal shipping from £5. |
| Supported Document Formats | PDF, JPG, PNG, WORD, and more |
| Languages | Over 200 language combinations |
| Types of Documents | Legal translation, court proceedings, contracts, ID documents, visa & immigration files, administrative documents |
| Additional Services | Solicitor certification, apostille legalization, consultancy, maintaining document formatting |
| Area | London, UK, Europe with international coverage |
Understanding the Importance of Sworn Translations
A sworn translation is a translation endorsed and sealed by an officially-appointed (sworn) translator. Legally, sworn translations carry the same weight as the original documents.
Sworn translators are officially sanctioned by a foreign office or court, giving them the power to translate official documents and attest under oath that the translation is accurate.
Many foreign countries, predominantly civil law nations like France, Italy, and Spain, require sworn translations. However, each country has its distinct rules for sworn translations, and there is no universal standard.
When Are Sworn Translation Services Needed in the UK?
In the UK, there is no legal mandate for sworn translation services. Government offices and public bodies only require certified translations.
Sworn translation services may be necessary for legal or official documents that will be utilised for official purposes overseas, such as in a court of law or for visa and immigration purposes.
What are the most frequently requested types of documents?
Sworn translators commonly translate the following documents:
- Birth certificates
- Death certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Academic transcripts
- Other personal documents
For the UK Home Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), only a certified translation is necessary, not sworn.
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The Necessity of Sworn Translators for Specific Documents
Sworn translators are recognised by the authorities of a country to translate and authenticate legal documents. They typically have to present their qualifications and pass several tests to be approved as a sworn translator.
A sworn translator translates only into their native language and ensures that the translated document complies with the laws and regulations of the receiving country.
The Sworn Translation Process and Appointing a Sworn Translator
The process of sworn translation is somewhat more intricate than a certified translation.
First, check with the requesting entity whether the document needs a sworn translation. We can provide guidance if the response is ambiguous. Next, contact a sworn translation provider. Be sure to validate their credentials to offer such a service. The sworn translator will translate the document, attach a signed affidavit, and take the translation to be ‘sworn’. This portion of the process varies from country to country. You may or may not request that the translation is apostilled at this stage in the process. Finally, you will receive a digital copy of the sworn translation, followed by the hard copy soon after.
We Provide Professional Sworn Translations with an Affidavit
Some government institutions or courts may require an apostille to accompany the sworn translation and affidavit. Espresso Translations offers Hague apostille services in countries that are Hague members.
Why a Hague apostille? Essentially, an apostille authenticates the sworn translation by verifying the signature of the public official overseeing the process.
In other cases, a notary’s seal might be necessary instead of an apostille, referred to as a notarised translation.
These types of legalised translations often overlap, causing confusion among clients. We prioritise understanding your translation needs and ensuring your documents are legally valid in the specific country.
Cost of a Sworn Translation
Various factors influence the cost of a sworn translation:
- Language pair
- Court-applied administrative fees or duties
- Delivery deadline
- Number of words
- File formats/diversity of documents
- Specialisation (such as whether it’s a medical or legal document)
Typically, sworn translations start from around £50 + VAT. Companies offering sworn translation services typically charge for the translation (per word rate), the affidavit (fixed rate), and any additional duties or administrative fees imposed by the court (variable rate). There might also be postage charges for hard copies, which will vary depending on the delivery location.
Our translation company is amongst the most competitive in GB and internationally in terms of both cost and the variety of official translation services we offer.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Sworn Translator?
A sworn translator is a professional translator authorised or accredited by a foreign entity to carry out legalised translations of official documents deemed legally valid.
The requirements for sworn translators differ from country to country. For instance, an Italian sworn translator needs to register with their local court and submit copies of their qualifications and examination results, which differs from the requirements in countries like Poland or Spain.
Some official translators may specialise in a certain industry, for instance, corporate business or legal translation services. These are known as “sworn specialist translators” or “specialized translations”.
How to Choose a Reliable Sworn Translation Services Provider?
When seeking a sworn translation provider, opt for a reputable agency with some form of accreditation or certification, such as ISO 17100. This ensures the accuracy and reliability of the service.
To ensure an accurate translation, discuss your requirements with a Project Manager. Sworn quote requests often necessitate some back-and-forth communication to fully understand the requirements. Ensure the person you are interacting with seems knowledgeable about the subject.
Sworn translations for foreign affairs can be daunting, so you need someone who can support and guide you throughout the process.
Also, consider online reviews to get a sense of past clients’ experiences and check if they have a quality assurance system for translations in place.
How Long Does a Sworn Translation Take?
A sworn translation usually takes a minimum of 24 hours, depending on factors such as the length and type of the document.
Translations requiring specialised knowledge (such as those involving legal terminology) will take longer than a straightforward document like a birth certificate.
Bureaucratic aspects of sworn translations, like securing an appointment with a public official to sign the affidavit or processing time for the payment of administrative duties and charges.
Distinguishing Between Sworn and Notarised Translations
Sworn and notarised translations both fall under the category of certified translations, yet they come with different levels of endorsement. A sworn translation receives its validation from a government authority, while a notarised translation’s seal of approval comes from a notary public.
The purposes of these translations may align in certain countries, primarily to confirm the identity of the translator. However, in some regions, specific qualifications are mandatory for a translator to be acknowledged as ‘sworn’.
Differentiating Between Sworn and Certified Translations
There’s a common misconception that sworn translations and certified translations are synonymous, but they carry distinct differences. A certified translation comes with a translator’s attestation of accuracy, but doesn’t necessarily require an official public body’s stamp of approval. Such a translator might be accredited by a professional association, like the Chartered Institute of Linguists (CIL) or the Association of Translation Companies (ATC).
While certified translations are typically acceptable for use in countries like the UK and the U.S., other nations might demand a more rigorous authentication process, like choosing from a pre-approved roster of translators or requiring the translator to take an oath in the presence of a public official.
Validity of Sworn Translations Globally
The applicability of a legally certified sworn translation can fluctuate based on the country and the intended use of the translation. For instance, a sworn translation for a citizenship application might only hold validity for a six-month period.
It’s crucial to acknowledge that a sworn translation valid in one country might not necessarily be accepted in another. Given that each country has unique requirements, a translation sworn in Germany, for example, may not be recognised in Belgium.
If you need a trusted translation agency to handle your document translations, get in touch with us for a quotation today.