The profession of sworn translator enjoys great prestige and involves enormous responsibility. However, not every translation requires the intervention of a person with such qualifications. The vast majority of translations concern specialized, technical, or marketing texts. When are sworn translator services essential, and which documents most commonly end up on their desk? In this article, we'll explore the specifics of sworn translator work and identify which types of documents require their official certification.
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Get a Quick Quote at Sworny.com!Sworn translator – who are they and what requirements must they meet?
Perfect knowledge of a foreign language alone is not enough to become a sworn translator. This is a profession of public trust, and candidates must meet a series of formal requirements, including: having citizenship (or EU/EFTA country citizenship), full legal capacity, clean criminal record, and a master's degree. The key stage is passing a demanding state examination covering written and oral translation. After successfully passing the exam and taking an oath before the Minister of Justice, the translator is entered on the official list of sworn translators maintained by the Ministry of Justice.
What exactly is certified (authenticated) translation?
Certified translation, also called sworn or authenticated translation, is an official translation of a document performed by a sworn translator. Such a translator bears full legal responsibility for the translation's compliance with the original. The translation process takes into account all elements of the document, including stamps, handwritten notes, or blank fields (which are appropriately marked).
Each page of certified translation is marked with the translator's stamp (containing their name, surname, language for which they have qualifications, and number on the sworn translators list) and their signature. Additionally, at the end of the document, a certification formula is placed that confirms the translation's compliance with the original, copy, or extract.
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Order Authenticated Translation!Which documents do sworn translators translate most often?
Law requires certified translation in many situations, especially when documents are to be presented to state authorities, courts, civil registry offices, or when they are to have legal effects in international circulation. Below we present a list of most commonly translated documents, divided into categories:
Educational and professional documents
- School certificates (primary school completion, high school, technical school)
- High school diplomas (maturity certificates)
- University degrees (bachelor's, master's, engineering)
- Diploma supplements
- Student record books, study transcripts
- Professional qualification certificates, skill certificates
- Medical specialization diplomas, nursing diplomas, etc.
- Professional practice licenses
- Work certificates
Court and official documents
- Birth certificates (short, full)
- Marriage certificates (short, full)
- Death certificates (short, full)
- Criminal record certificates
- Tax residency certificates
- Temporary or permanent residence permits, residence cards
- Divorce decrees, court decisions in family matters
- Wills, inheritance decisions
- Notarial acts (powers of attorney, contracts)
- Court documents (lawsuits, applications, appeals)
- Land registry extracts
- Registration certificates
Automotive documents
- Vehicle registration certificates
- Vehicle cards (if they exist in a given country)
- German documents: Large Brief (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil II), Small Brief (Zulassungsbescheinigung Teil I)
- Vehicle purchase-sale agreements
- Vehicle purchase invoices
- Technical inspection certificates
- Motor insurance history certificates (liability/comprehensive)
- Vehicle deregistration documents
A complete article on automotive document translation can be found here: Automotive Document Translation for Vehicle Registration.
Business documents
- Commercial register extracts (e.g., KRS)
- Tax number certificates, REGON
- Company agreements, statutes
- Financial statements, balance sheets, profit and loss accounts
- VAT invoices (in specific situations)
- Commercial contracts, licenses
- Concessions, business operation permits
- Documents related to employing foreigners
Civil law contracts and other documents
- Purchase-sale agreements (real estate, movables)
- Rental, lease agreements
- Gift agreements
- Loan agreements
- Bank account statements
- Medical certificates (when required to be presented abroad)
- Salary certificates
- Medical documentation (hospital discharge summaries, test results – if to be presented to official authorities)
How to find and choose a sworn translator online?
Nowadays, finding and commissioning sworn translator services is much easier thanks to the internet. The Sworny.com platform enables quick contact with many sworn translators of different languages and specializations.
To commission a translation:
- Prepare a scan or clear photo of the document you want to translate.
- Submit the file through the form at Sworny.com, specifying the translation language and any deadline.
- You'll receive offers from available sworn translators along with quotes.
- Choose the offer that suits you best and make online payment.
- The translator will begin work, and you'll receive the completed, authenticated translation in electronic form (scan) and, if needed, the original will be sent by mail or courier.
Using platforms like Sworny.com saves time, provides convenience, and ensures your documents reach professionals. Whether you need a certified English translator, German, or another language, you'll find the right specialist at Sworny.com.
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