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A sworn translation is an official translation carried out by a certified translator who is recognized by a legal authority. This type of translation is often required for legal, administrative or official documents such as birth certificates, diplomas, judgments or contracts.
The special feature of a sworn translation is its certification. The sworn translator affixes his or her signature and an official seal to guarantee that the translation is an accurate and faithful representation of the original document. As a result, it is legally recognized by authorities and the courts.
Sworn translations are often required for documents of legal importance. They ensure that the translated version is valid in the eyes of the law and can be used in official proceedings. For example, if you need to submit a birth certificate for a visa application, or a diploma to apply to a university abroad, a sworn translation is essential.
This type of translation is not just a question of language, but also of legal responsibility. The translator is committed to ensuring that the content is accurate and in line with the original, thus avoiding any ambiguity or potential misunderstanding when used in a legal or administrative context.
Prices for sworn translations vary according to several factors. The main ones are :
Prices for sworn translations also vary by country and region. Here is a general overview of average costs in different parts of the world:
Here is a typical process for obtaining a sworn translation:
Step 1: Finding a sworn translator
It is essential to check that the translator is duly sworn by a court of law or other recognized authority in the country where the translation will be used. This guarantees that the translation will be accepted by these institutions.
Step 2: Request a quote
Once you've selected a sworn translator, it's a good idea to ask for a quote. The translator will examine the document to be translated, taking into account its volume, complexity and desired delivery time.
Stage 3: Translation and certification
The translator completes the translation, then affixes his or her seal and signature. This process certifies that the translation conforms to the original.
Step 4: Document delivery
The document can be sent to you in electronic form, but in most cases a physical copy is required for the sworn translation to be valid with the authorities.
Sworn translations are necessary in many cases where official documents need to be presented in a different language. Here are just a few examples:
When you compare sworn translations to other types of translation, it's clear that sworn translations are often more expensive. Here are a few key factors that explain this difference:
Simple translation vs. sworn translation A simple translation, carried out by a non-sworn translator, is less costly. This type of translation is generally used for unofficial texts such as articles, brochures or marketing content. Sworn translations, on the other hand, require official certification, involve the translator's responsibility and are subject to strict legal requirements. This justifies higher rates.
Specialized translation Specialized translations, for example in the legal, medical or technical fields, can also be costly, even if they are not sworn. These translations require in-depth expertise in a particular field. However, if these documents are to be used in an official context, a specialized translation will not suffice, and a sworn translation will be required.
Impact of certification The fact that the translator is certified by a court of law or other official body adds a layer of formality and responsibility. This certification, which allows translations to be used in legal and administrative contexts, justifies a higher price than that of an ordinary or specialized translation.
Incorrectly sworn translations can have serious consequences, particularly in the legal and administrative fields. Here are just a few examples of the risks involved:
Delays in administrative procedures : A mistranslation can lead to a rejection or delay in the processing of documents by the authorities. For example, in a visa or citizenship application, a mistranslation of a birth certificate or marriage certificate may result in a rejection, requiring the process to be repeated, at additional cost.
Legal consequences A poorly translated contract can also lead to legal misunderstandings and disputes between the parties involved. A poorly translated contract can also lead to legal misunderstandings or disputes between the parties involved.
Loss of credibility A sworn translation is supposed to be faithful to the original. If it contains errors or inaccuracies, this can call into question the translator's credibility, as well as that of the person or company submitting the document. This can be particularly damaging in professional or commercial contexts.
The field of sworn translation is constantly evolving, influenced by globalization, technology and new international regulations. Here are a few recent trends affecting the industry:
The rise of translation technologies Although machine translation tools such as Google Translate and DeepL have considerably improved the quality of translations, they cannot yet replace a sworn translation, especially in a legal or administrative context. However, sworn translators are increasingly using these technologies to improve their productivity, particularly to process large volumes of text more quickly.
Growing internationalization : With the increase in international exchanges, whether for business, education or personal mobility, the demand for sworn translations continues to grow. This global demand is driving translators to specialize in a wide range of languages and fields.
New legal requirements : Each country has its own requirements for sworn translations, and these evolve with laws and regulations. For example, some countries now require sworn translations to be submitted to secure digital platforms to guarantee their authenticity, which could affect pricing practices.
Professional associations play a key role in the regulation and recognition of sworn translators. They offer not only official recognition, but also ongoing training and support for their members.
Certification and training : In many countries, professional associations offer certification programs for translators wishing to become sworn translators. These associations ensure that translators meet strict ethical and professional standards.
Access to a database of translators For those looking for sworn translators, these associations often provide publicly accessible databases listing qualified professionals. This assures customers that they are choosing translators with the required qualifications.
Protecting translators' interests These associations also help sworn translators defend their rights and negotiate fair rates, while promoting recognition of the importance of their work through campaigns and events.
Here are a few practical tips to help you prepare your documents before submitting them to a sworn translator:
Check authorities' requirements Before requesting a sworn translation, find out about the specific requirements of the authorities who will receive the translated document. Some authorities may have specific requirements regarding the language or format of the translation.
Provide clear, legible documents The clearer your original document, the faster and more accurate the translation. If the document is handwritten or of poor quality, this may increase the time needed for processing.
Specify the context Do not hesitate to provide additional information to the translator to help him better understand the context of the document. This can be particularly useful for complex or technical documents.
Plan ahead As mentioned earlier, planning is crucial. This will not only enable you to avoid additional costs for urgent translations, but also to leave enough time to revise the translation if necessary.
Two factors can help you determine the price of a sworn translation the nature of the document (number of words, etc.) and the target language. The price of a sworn translation varies according to the nature of the document and the languages involved. Indeed, some languages are rarer and therefore require a higher price than others. In general, sworn translations of common documents such as driving licenses or deeds such as marriage certificates etc. cost between €30 and €60 per page. Last but not least, this price also depends on the sworn translator; each translator sets his or her own price, so there's no such thing as a fixed price. However, at Translatorus we offer a fixed price of €30 per page.
A sworn translator is a translator approved by a Court of Appeal. He or she is considered to be a judicial expert and a ministerial officer, and assists the judiciary and state administrations in their work. The sworn translator is responsible for translating official documents from a source language into the language of which he or she is an expert. Once the translation has been completed, the translator's stamp and signature, together with the words "conforms to the original", certify that the document has been translated by his or her expertise. The translation will then be considered accurate and admissible by the courts or public authorities, because it has been translated and certified by a legal expert.
There's no real difference, except in the way the two terms are used. It's the translator who is sworn and the translation that is certified. In other words, it's wrong to say "sworn translation", but rather "certified translation" by a "sworn translator".
The original document is not compulsory, but it is recommended. Most sworn translators only receive digital copies of the documents they translate, and the original is rarely used. It is therefore perfectly possible to send a scan of your document to the sworn translator, who will translate the document, print out the translation as well as the digital copy, stamp both and mention "conforms to the digital copy". All that remains is to present both documents to the authorities, along with the original document, so that the authorities can check that the stamped digital document is identical to the original.
No, you don't have to use a translator sworn by a Court of Appeal in your area. All sworn translators are recognized as legal experts. You can therefore call on a sworn translator from another region. The translation will be perfectly acceptable. In this case, you'll need to send a digital copy to the translator, who can then send you the translation by e-mail and a copy with his or her signature and original stamp by post.
A sworn translator is required for a number of documents, such as deeds, notarial deeds, bailiff's deeds, administrative deeds and any other document for which the original is not the official language of the institution to which the document is presented. If the document is to be presented to the prefecture, the town hall or a legal institution such as the courts, it must be translated and certified by an accredited translator, known as a "sworn translator". However, it's best to ask the relevant authority whether it requires a sworn translation of the document.
A sworn translator is a translator approved by a Court of Appeal. If you want to check that a translator is sworn, you can ask him or her which Court of Appeal has approved the translator. Then simply check the list of legal experts for the Court of Appeal in question, and see if the translator's name is listed under translation.
The legalization of a document is the act by which a document retains its legal value abroad. Without it, a document cannot be considered legal in a foreign country. That said, some countries have made agreements not to require legalization. That's why you need to check with the relevant authorities before placing your order with a sworn translator.
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