A sworn translation is a crucial part of administrative procedures at home and abroad. Nevertheless, decision-makers in companies and organisations often confuse this with a legal translation. What do you need precisely: a sworn translation or just a legal translation? At Tradas, we seamlessly guide you through the process.
What exactly is a sworn translation?
A sworn translation ensures that an original or signed document has legal effect in another country or in a language other than the original. In this way, a foreign document can be rendered legally valid in Belgium or a Belgian document abroad.
What kind of documents does this apply to?
It concerns official documents such as an extract from the civil registry or a certificate for use at home or abroad. Examples of this are:
- birth certificates;
- diplomas;
- marriage certificates;
- criminal records;
- foreign contracts used in Belgium or a Belgian contract used abroad.
Our sworn translators meet all the legal requirements
Tradas uses sworn translators who have been trained specifically for this work. They have sworn an oath at the Court of Appeal, after which they are included in the national register. Our sworn translators affix their electronic signature to the documents, accompanied by a set clause. This means that the translation of your official document is legally valid for use in legal proceedings or for government administration purposes for example, unless your document needs to be legalised.
Legalisation of sworn translations
In some cases, a sworn translation must be authenticated by the Legalisation Department of the Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs or another public body. We are happy to provide you with advice and look into this for you. Feel free to contact us to discuss your specific needs. When doing so, it is important that you send us the source documents and indicate what the translations are to be used for.
What is the difference between a legal and a sworn translation?
A legal translation refers first and foremost to the nature of the document (i.e. its legal nature) and the specialist terminology used by the translator for such documents. If the documents are not directly intended for official bodies, you do not have to use a sworn translator.
What type of legal documents are we talking about?
- Specimen contract
- General Terms and Conditions
- Special Terms and Conditions
- Privacy statement
- IPID (Insurance Product Information Document)
- Etc.
Legal document services provided by Tradas
At Tradas, we always use the appropriate specialist for each translation, and this also applies to legal texts. Our legal translators are familiar with the specific language usage and have expert knowledge of the relevant specialist terminology. This ensures that you receive a legally accurate translation perfectly suited to your needs.
Conclusion
To summarise: whether you need a sworn or a legal translation is determined by the purpose of the translation. If you need a legally valid translation for court proceedings or for public administration purposes for example, a sworn translation is required. In all other cases, it is sufficient to use qualified legal translators with expert knowledge of the relevant specialist terminology for your legal texts.
Whether you need a sworn translation or a legal translation, Tradas is your reliable partner. We work quickly and efficiently so that you can focus on what really matters: running your business. Feel free to contact us!
Q&As
No, a sworn translation does not serve as a quality mark but, rather, only to make a translation legally valid. At Tradas, we always ensure that we assign the right translation teams to handle your documents.
Tradas can help you with legalisation or you can take care of it yourself. More information about authentication is available from FPS Justice and FPS Foreign Affairs.
No, the sworn translator is also obliged to accept typographic errors in order to ensure a true and faithful translation. For example, they are not allowed to change an incorrectly spelt name themselves.
Find out more about legal translations here.