The role of translators encompasses various sectors and client requirements, as is the case with notaries. Among other responsibilities, they are tasked with providing sworn translations. This brings us to the explanation of the sworn translation process, highlighting its key characteristics as a translated document.
To begin with, what exactly is a sworn translation? It is important to define this concept in order to effectively differentiate it from legal translation–two terms that are frequently interchanged but possess distinct meanings.
Sworn translation involves translating legal or official documents that are required for legal, administrative, or governmental purposes. It entails establishing the equivalence of documents such as personal birth certificates, wills, academic degrees, family records, marriage and criminal certificates, company deeds, and divorce judgements.
This serves as a compelling example of the need for translation services performed by expert professionals. While the process isn’t inherently complex or cumbersome, and its outcomes might not be as legally consequential as those of legal translation, it’s still advantageous to enlist experienced translators to ensure efficiency and quality.
The sworn translation process in Spain
Now, let’s delve into a step-by-step explanation of how sworn translation is undertaken in Spain. This type of document carries a legal validity comparable to that of a notarial record, signifying faithfulness and authenticity in relation to the original text being translated.
The client requests an official sworn translation
A client requests an official sworn translation from a translator who is an expert in this type of translation of legal or official documents. The procedure entails translating the original text into the target language, effectively replacing the words from one language with their counterparts in another.
The sworn translation must be submitted in hardcopy format
The next phase involves presenting the sworn translation in hardcopy format before the relevant court. A certification is incorporated at the end of the document, including the signature and seal of the sworn translator responsible for its completion.
It is done by a sworn translator or a translator under oath
Next, the task is carried out by a sworn translator, or in the absence of one, by a translator who takes an oath before a court of law. This process certifies the complete and faithful translation of an original text into the target language, adhering to the legal regulations currently in force. In Spain, a sworn translator is granted official authorization by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation.
The document is officially sworn and sealed
In the third step of the sworn translation process, the court formally administers an oath and affixes its seal to the document, bestowing legal validity upon the translation that was done.
Legalization and apostille for the sworn translation
Following this, when the document is intended for submission to another country, the sworn translation that was sworn and sealed is then legalized and an apostille affixed.
Collection of the sworn translation
In the final step, the sworn translation can be collected by either the client who initiated the process or by the translator who completed the work.
In addition to the process itself, it is essential to clarify that sworn translations are subject to various regulations. These include the Organic Law of the Judiciary (Article 231); Royal Decree 255/1977, of August 27, which approves the Regulation of the Language Interpretation Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Order 8/2/1996 on exams, format, and requirements of sworn translations.
As we have seen, understanding the step-by-step process of sworn translation is straightforward and manageable. The key is to rely on the support of professional translators who understand the differences between sworn translation and legal translation and deliver impeccable professional translation services to their clients.
