01.01.2025 
What is a Sworn Translation (traducción jurada) in Spain
A sworn translation is an official translation carried out by a professional accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE), who holds the status of a sworn translator. Such a translation is recognized by all public and private organizations: judicial and notarial authorities, ministries, educational institutions, and banks. A sworn translator, called a traductor-intérprete jurado (TIJ) in Spanish, is endowed with functions similar to notarial ones: the signature and seal of this specialist certify the translation and make it valid without additional certification.
Who Needs a Sworn Translation in Spain and When?
The main pain point for those who encounter bureaucracy in Spain for the first time is the question of why an ordinary translation is not enough. The fact is that a sworn translation simplifies any procedure related to the official confirmation of the authenticity of a foreign document. Here are some situations in which it is required:
- Obtaining a residence permit, citizenship, or other statuses related to migration processes.
- Formalizing transactions in notarial bodies: contracts for the sale and purchase of real estate, marriage contracts, wills.
- Appealing to courts or other government bodies: lawsuits, administrative disputes.
- Confirmation of foreign education for the homologation of diplomas or academic transcripts.
- Registration of marriage, adoption, and any actions in civil registry offices.
- Banking operations and confirmation of income (for example, form 2-NDFL (tax certificate of income) or other financial documents).
In all of the above cases, a translation certified by a sworn translator is accepted without additional notarial stamps and without mandatory verification of the translator's identity.
Why a Sworn Translation is More Important than an Ordinary One
In many countries, including Russia or Ukraine, the usual scheme is: the translator makes the translation, and then a notary certifies it. In Spain, this procedure is simplified: the sworn translator has the right to certify the accuracy of the translation with their signature and seal. Therefore, for Spanish authorities or courts, only one sworn translation is sufficient, without any additional formalities.
Thus, the pain associated with long visits to a notary or consulate is eliminated: people save time and money, as it is not necessary to pay for several different certifications.
The Role of Apostille and Legalization of Documents
Another important pain point is the lack of understanding of when an apostille or other form of legalization is required and when it is not. Documents that need to be used in Spain are often apostilled (a special stamp confirming authenticity). In practice, it looks like this:
- You receive a document in your home country (for example, a certificate of no criminal record, a birth certificate, a diploma).
- You put an apostille on it, if there is no separate agreement between the issuing country and Spain that cancels this need.
- You hand over a scan or the original document to a sworn translator in Spain, who translates it and seals the translation with their signature and seal.
Because the translated text is certified with the seal of the sworn translator, Spanish organizations have no questions about the correctness and accuracy of the translation.
Important Aspects of Document Preparation
It is critical for the client to understand that the responsibility for the correct preparation of the original document (correct names, dates, addresses) lies with them. The sworn translator does not change the information, does not correct errors, and does not "supplement" the text. All typos existing in the original will be transferred to the translation.
If inaccuracies are found in the document, they should be corrected officially before submitting for translation. Otherwise, these errors will be transferred to the sworn translation and may cause difficulties in Spanish authorities.
How to Find a Sworn Translator and Place an Order Remotely
Until a person encounters bureaucracy, they do not understand how to find a reliable specialist. In Spain, there is a single register of sworn translators accredited by the MAE (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). You can contact any of them directly or through a translation agency that cooperates with such a translator. Many specialists work remotely and accept documents in electronic form (scan or high-quality photo).
- You contact the translator and describe the task: what document, into what language, deadlines.
- You send a scan (if necessary with an apostille) by email.
- You receive an invoice and pay for the service.
- After the agreed time, you receive the finished sworn translation - in electronic form or with delivery of a paper version to the specified address.
Thanks to this approach, the procedure is simplified: there is no need to visit offline offices, and the deadlines depend only on the workload of the specialist. In the case of urgent translation, the cost usually increases.
Cost and Timing of Sworn Translation
The exact price depends on the language, the volume of the text, and the urgency. Short standard documents (birth certificate, certificate of no criminal record, etc.) are assessed at a fixed rate. More voluminous contracts, company statutes, medical reports, or court decisions will require a price calculation based on the total number of words or pages.
The problem that many people face is the lack of a clear "state" rate. Each sworn translator sets their own price. In the end, it remains to compare the offers of several specialists or agencies. The translation period, as a rule, ranges from 2-3 days to a week, and for large volumes - even longer. Urgent translations can be ready in 24-48 hours at a double rate.
Rare Languages and Additional Difficulties
Not all language pairs are registered in Spain. For example, for Kyrgyz, Georgian, Tajik, and a number of other languages, there may be no sworn translators in Spain at all. Then an additional procedure arises: first, the document is translated in the country of issue into Russian (or another more common language), certified by a notary, an apostille is placed, and then a sworn translation from Russian into Spanish is done in Spain.
Sometimes, in the country of origin of the document, it can be issued directly in English. If there are sworn translators for English in Spain, this simplifies the task: the translation is done directly from English into Spanish.
Practical Tips for Ordering a Sworn Translation
- Clarify the requirements: before placing an apostille or looking for a translator, check whether you really need a sworn translation. Sometimes an ordinary (not sworn) translation is enough.
- Check the data in the original documents: errors in dates, surnames, numbering can cause further difficulties. Correct inaccuracies before handing over to the translator.
- Plan deadlines in advance: if you need to translate voluminous materials, consider the time for preparing the apostille and the translator's queue. For urgent orders, the cost is higher.
- Choose a convenient delivery method: most often, the electronic version is sufficient, but some institutions may require a paper version with a "live" seal and signature.
Why Sworn Translation Saves Time and Nerves
The main advantage of a sworn translation is the absence of the need to contact a notary to certify the accuracy of the text. In Spain, the state has delegated this authority to the sworn translator himself. As a result, any foreign document, confirmed by their seal and signature, automatically acquires legal force. This reduces the bureaucratic burden and the risk of rejection due to incorrect certification.
Thus, the issue of legalizing documents for immigrants, businessmen, property owners, or investors in Spain is resolved more easily than in states where an additional notarial procedure is required.
Summary
Sworn translation (traducción jurada) in Spain is the key to an accelerated and simplified bureaucratic procedure. Thanks to the official status of the traductor-intérprete jurado (TIJ), the translation is recognized by authorities throughout the country without additional certifications. However, it is important to observe the nuances: check the need for an apostille, make sure the original document is accurate, and choose a reliable sworn translator. As a result, you will avoid unnecessary hassle, save time and money, and your documents will be accepted by Spanish organizations "on the first try."
