A sworn translation is an official translation carried out by a certified translator who is recognised by a legal authority. This type of translation is often required for legal, administrative or official documents such as birth certificates, diplomas, judgements 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. It is therefore legally recognised by the 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 a number of factors. The main ones are :
Prices for sworn translations also vary from country to country and region to 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 recognised authority in the country where the translation will be used. This guarantees that the translation will be accepted by the institutions.
Step 2: Request a quote
Once you have selected a sworn translator, it is advisable to request a quote. The translator will examine the document to be translated, taking into account the volume, complexity and desired delivery time.
Stage 3: Translation and certification
The translator completes the translation, then affixes his seal and signature. This process certifies that the translation conforms to the original.
Stage 4: Document delivery
The document can be sent to you in electronic form, but in most cases it is necessary to obtain a physical copy 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 a few examples:
When you compare sworn translations with 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 expensive. This type of translation is generally used for non-official texts such as articles, brochures or marketing content. Sworn translations, on the other hand, which require official certification, involve the translator's responsibility and are subject to strict legal requirements. This justifies a higher rate.
Specialised translation Specialised 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 capacity, a specialised 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 specialised translation.
An incorrect sworn translation can have serious consequences, particularly in the legal and administrative fields. Here are a few examples of the risks involved:
Delays in administrative procedures A poor translation can lead to documents being rejected or delayed by the authorities. For example, in a visa or citizenship application, a mistranslation of a birth certificate or marriage certificate can lead to rejection, requiring the process to be repeated, which incurs additional costs.
Legal consequences A poorly translated contract can also lead to legal misunderstandings or 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 credibility of the translator 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 globalisation, technology and new international regulations. Here are some recent trends affecting the sector:
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, in particular to process large volumes of text more quickly.
Growing internationalisation The demand for sworn translations continues to grow with the increase in international exchanges, whether for business, education or personal mobility. This global demand is driving translators to specialise in several languages and fields.
New legal requirements : Each country has its own requirements for sworn translations, and these evolve as laws and regulations change. 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 programmes for translators wishing to become sworn translators. These associations ensure that translators comply with strict ethical and professional standards.
Access to a database of translators For people looking for sworn translators, these associations often provide publicly accessible databases listing qualified professionals. This ensures that customers choose translators with the required qualifications.
Protection of translators' interests These associations also help sworn translators to 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 the authorities' requirements Before requesting a sworn translation, find out about the specific requirements of the authorities that 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 quicker and more accurate the translation will be. If the document is handwritten or of poor quality, this could increase the time required for processing.
Specify the context Do not hesitate to provide the translator with additional information to help them 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. Not only will this enable you to avoid extra costs for urgent translations, but it will also give you enough time to revise the translation if necessary.
There are two factors that 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. Some languages are rarer and therefore cost more than others. In general, sworn translations of common documents such as driving licences or deeds such as marriage certificates, etc. cost between €30 and €60 per page. Finally, this price also depends on the sworn translator; each translator sets his or her own price, so there is no 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 government departments 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 indeed been translated by his or her expertise. The translation will then be considered accurate and admissible by the courts or the public authorities because it has been translated and certified by a legal expert.
There is no real difference except in the way the two terms are used. It is the translator who is sworn and the translation that is certified. In other words, it is 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; 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 and the digital copy, stamp both and mention "conforms to the digital copy". All that remains is for you to present the two 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, it is not compulsory to use a translator sworn by a Court of Appeal in your region. All sworn translators are recognised as legal experts. You can therefore call on a sworn translator from another region. The translation will be perfectly acceptable. In this case, you will need to send a digital copy to the translator, who will be able to send you the translation by e-mail and a copy with his or her signature and original stamp by post.
It is compulsory to use a sworn translator for a certain number of documents such as legal proceedings, notarial deeds, bailiff's deeds, administrative deeds and any other document where 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 approved translator, known as a "sworn translator". However, it is 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 all you have to do is check the list of legal experts for the Court of Appeal in question and check that the translator's name is listed under translation.
Legalisation of a document is the act by which a document retains its legal value abroad. It is therefore an essential procedure, without which a document cannot be considered legal in a foreign country. That said, some countries have made agreements and do not require legalisation. For this reason, you should check with the relevant authorities before placing your order with a sworn translator.
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