Who are sworn or authorized translations for?

Sworn translations are a specialized service for a wide variety of individual and professional clients, including institutions. Whether this involves translating personal documents, business or institutional documents, requesting the services of a sworn translator guarantees an accurate translation that remains confidential and complies with international legal norms.

Discover the different clients who require sworn translations and when certified translations are necessary for individuals, professionals or institutions.

À qui s’adresse la traduction assermentée ou agréée ?-1

Sworn translations for individuals

Individuals can require sworn translations when they need to provide official documents in a foreign language. No matter the reason for finding a sworn translator, his or her work goes beyond translating from one language to another.

Indeed, sworn translators must make sure that the translated document exactly reflects the contents of the original document to the slightest detail: images, signatures, stamps, footnotes and even words possibly crossed out.

Thanks to this accurate reproduction of the original document, the translated document is given official recognition in the destination country. Also, sworn or certified translators place a stamp (apostille) on every page which allowsauthorities to identify and certify the translation.

Why might individuals require sworn translations?

There are many situations where having a document translated by a certified translator might be necessary. For example, when getting married abroad, translating a birth certificate or identity papers will be necessary. A French student may also need to provide a French transcript or diploma to obtain transfer credits in another country and satisfy the requirements of a registration form in a foreign university.

Immigration procedures to come and live in France (or for a French person to live abroad) may also require translating divorce certificates, criminal records or legal cases.

The most frequently translated types of documents

To better understand the importance and relevancy of sworn translation services, here is a list of documents that may require translations:

  • Official documents and vital records: birth or death certificates, marriage or divorce certificates, criminal records or legal rulings, wills, residence permits;
  • Identity documents: identity cards, passports, family records books, or adoption case files;
  • School or university documents: school records, transcripts, diplomas.

As a reminder, in France, sworn translators are registered on the list of legal experts established by the court of appeals. These translators are thus authorized by the State to translate and certify translated documents. The presence of the translator’s seal and signature gives the translation legal weight. Also, by requesting the services of a sworn translation agency, individuals and companies benefit from a confidentiality policy that protects their private or sensitive information.

Professionals and companies

Professionals and companies also require sworn translations for lots of documents. In the face of globalization of business where international transactions are common, sworn translations have become ever more important.

For companies that have business worldwide, it is often necessary to translate documents such as business contracts, articles of incorporation, balance sheets, bid papers, certificates of compliance, other legal documents, or intellectual or industrial property documents such as patents. Usually these documents must be presented to foreign authorities, business partners or clients in another language. Finally, during international legal procedures, translating documents such as litigation documents or rulings may be necessary.

Only a translation done by a sworn translator gives a translated document legal weight equal to the original document, thus letting companies expand their borders. When a company responds to an international bid, they generally must provide documents such as certificates or financial reports in the bid language. Once again, to make sure these documents will be legally recognized, a sworn translation is often required.

Additionally, a professional who wishes to continue their career in another country may need to translate a degree, training certificate or employment certificate.

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Institutions

Just like individuals and professionals, institutions often require sworn translations. Indeed, governmental organisms, educational establishments or even NGOs work daily with documents whose official or legal nature necessitates a certified translation.

In their activities, institutions may need to exchange documents with foreign organisms or interact with people who speak different languages. They can thus require sworn translations of documents such as administrative acts, certificates, reports, registration forms, diplomas and transcripts, etc.

Sworn translations offer a guarantee of accuracy and authenticity which is often required officially. For example, when a French institution sends a document to an institution in another country, said institution must make sure that the translation is accurate. For this reason, it must often be done by a sworn translator recognized by the State or the government in his or her country of origin, including sworn translators who work in France.

In conclusion, sworn translations play a crucial role in institutional operations since they facilitate communication despite language barriers, all the while guaranteeing the authenticity of official documents in English, Spanish or French. Whether they be inter-governmental agreements, legal procedures or academic exchanges, sworn translations help institutions effectively and confidently accomplish their missions.

Sworn translations thus facilitate communication and exchange between different legal and linguistic systems. Whether the clients are individuals, professionals or institutions, sworn translations are important because they guarantee the accuracy and authenticity of translated documents. This translation method offers legal certainty and credibility that is necessary in several contexts, including legal procedures, international business transactions and immigration procedures.