What's the difference between Legal Translations and Sworn Translations?

You have a legal document and you want to get it translated. It’s an important document, like a contract, and you want the translation to be perfect. You need a sworn translation, right?

Well, it depends. It isn’t always necessary to certify a translation. Most typically, what you need is a legal translation.

At first glance, you might think that sworn translations and legal translations are the same thing, just synonyms. Lots of our clients ask for a sworn translation when what they really need is a legal translation.

So, what’s the difference? Read on and we’ll explain.

LEGAL TRANSLATION

Legal translation refers to translating official and private legal documents such as contracts, regulations, judgements and deeds. These documents are drafted by legal professionals and they contain a lot of legal concepts and terms.

Legal translation involves translating official and private legal documents.

With legal translation, beyond knowing the terminology, the translator and reviewer of the document must be familiar with the equivalent concepts in the two legal systems involved, so they can translate all these concepts correctly. That’s why legal translation requires a high level of specialisation by the translator and it’s unusual for a legal translator to work in other translation fields.

SWORN TRANSLATION

Sworn translation, for its part, refers to the translation of official documents by a translator who’s officially certified by a legal authority. In Spain, that authority is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores).

Sworn translation is the translation of official documents by a translator who’s officially certified by a legal authority.

This type of translation is normally required when official documents have to be submitted to bodies like ministries, courts and academic institutions. They must carry the signature and stamp of the sworn translator. The original document is always handed in, which means photocopies and scans are unacceptable.

Remember that the sworn translator must be officially certified in the country where the sworn translation is being submitted.

WHAT TYPES OF DOCUMENT NORMALLY REQUIRE SWORN TRANSLATIONS?

Sworn translations are often needed for:

• birth certificates
• marriage certificates
• certificates of criminal records
• academic transcripts
• academic certificates

SO, TO SUM UP . . .

A sworn translation isn’t necessarily more accurate or precise than a legal one. In fact, the same legal translator may certify a translation or not, depending on what the client wants to use it for. As we said, you don’t have to get a sworn translation if you’re not going to submit it to a public body.

Have another look at your document. What type of translation do you need? If you’re still unsure, don’t worry! We’re here to help you.