If you are looking for more information regarding certified translations (traducciones juradas) in Spain then you have come to the right place. At Juridiomas, we have a team of certified translators that can provide these translations for you while also responding to any queries you may have. This article will explain some of the main points about certified translations but feel free to contact us if you have any lingering doubts.
What is a certified translation?
While a certified translation, also known as a sworn translation and traducción jurada in Spanish, can generally be defined as a translation that contains a certification from the translator that confirms its accuracy, the means of accrediting the translator is different for each jurisdiction. It is important to bear this in mind as what is deemed and accepted as a certified translation can vary from one place to another. This largely depends on whether the translator is recognised as a certified translator or not in the place in question.
As a Spanish-based company, we work on the basis of the status of certified translations in a Spanish context. In Spain, certified translations must be identified as being the work of a sworn translator. This is done with the document bearing the translator’s stamp and signature. Sworn translators in Spain are appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and must pass an exam or have completed a university degree in translation to be eligible for an appointment. As such, certified translations in Spain are regulated by the state.
However, in the case of many English-speaking countries, the bodies that authorise certified translators tend to be independent ones that have been organised by members within the community of professional translators. Examples of these include the United Kingdom (Institute of Translation and Interpreting), the Republic of Ireland (Irish Translator’s and Interpreters’ Association) and the United States of America (American Translator’s Association). The notable exception is Australia where the national body (the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters) is a company that is owned by the state. The lack of state regulation is not necessarily a problem as these associations themselves set and apply the standards that they deem acceptable. Notwithstanding, from a Spanish point of view, the regulation and accreditation process of sworn translators is quite different.
When do you need a certified translation?
If you are looking for a certified translation, it is likely that you need it as part of some official procedure. The need for a certified translation is for the benefit of the official body receiving the documentation; this speeds up the whole process and means that the recipient does not have to spend time or money in order to have a clear understanding of the original document. A translation is provided to accompany the original document and its certification from a sworn translator, appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, means that the documents will be readily accepted. If the translator has not been appointed by this Ministry, the translation needs to be reviewed by a Spanish diplomatic mission or consulate or a diplomatic mission or consulate in Spain for the country where the document originates.
In the case of other countries, depending on the documents being processed in official circumstances, a certified translation may be required. For example, in the United Kingdom Home Office, translations “should be provided by a translator registered with an official organisation such as the Institute of Linguists or the Institute of Translation & Interpreting. A translator who is employed by a recognised Translation company, the latter being a member of the Association of Translation Companies, is also acceptable. An official translation prepared overseas may be accepted provided the examiner is satisfied that the translator is a member of an official body in their own country, or where the translation has been certified as a true copy by the relevant Foreign Embassy.” Meanwhile in Ireland, documents must be translated by a “professional translating service”. While the certifying bodies in these territories may not be organised by the state, they still play an important role in offering a guarantee to the translation’s accuracy.
How do you know if a translator is certified or not?
In Spain, all translations that need to be certified will come with a stamp bearing the translator’s full name, the languages they are certified to translate and their registered translator number. The translator will also sign the translation and it will contain a statement in Spanish and the target language which attests to the translator’s appointment, understanding of the text and assertion that the translation is accurate. If you still happen to have doubts about the official status of the translator, you may consult the official list of translators that is handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This list is divided into sections that are organised by language and the province or country where the translator is based. Other information relating to the translators includes the date on which they were appointed as a sworn translator and how they obtained that status, i.e. whether they became a sworn translator through university qualifications or by passing the state exam for translators. For each section, the translators are listed in alphabetical order to make your search easier. It can also be used to find a translator as each entry contains contact information and their current status (“active” or “inactive”).
The importance of certified translations
Having a translation certified is the fastest and surest way to guarantee that the documents you wish to present will be accepted. This will make sure that the process is no longer than it needs to be, allowing you to continue with the proceedings that required the documents and have one less thing to worry about.
At Juridiomas, our team of sworn translators is ready to translate whatever documents you need. We have been doing so since 2009 and work in a variety of languages so you can be sure that, in addition to the certified status of our sworn translators, we also have a wealth of experience to count on.
