When Spain requires a sworn translation

Terms used

• Traducción jurada — A traducción jurada is a translation signed and stamped by a sworn translator, which Spanish authorities accept as official.
• Homologación — Homologación is the official recognition in Spain of a foreign academic degree.
• Extranjería — Extranjería is the immigration office that handles foreigners' residence and permit applications.
• Sede electrónica — A sede electrónica is an official online office where you find procedures, checklists and file applications.
• Cita previa — Cita previa is the appointment you usually must book before being seen at a Spanish public office.
• Gestor — A gestor is a professional who handles paperwork with Spanish public offices on your behalf.

Key rules

• Default: Foreign public documents in a language other than Spanish or the region's co-official language generally need a sworn translation.
• Own translation: A translation you make yourself is generally refused for the Civil Registry, courts, nationality, degree recognition and immigration files.
• EU and CIEC forms: Multilingual standard forms and CIEC extracts can remove the need for translation.
• Ask first: Offices differ, so ask the receiving office, in writing if possible, before paying for a translation.

The short answer

If a foreign public document is in a language other than Spanish (or the co-official language of the region), Spanish authorities generally want a sworn translation (traducción jurada). An ordinary translation is rarely enough for public documents. A few cases need no translation at all.

Offices differ, so confirm with the office receiving your file, ideally in writing, whether it needs a sworn translation before you order one.

When you usually need a sworn translation

Expect to need one for:

• Foreign civil-status certificates: birth, marriage, divorce.
• Criminal record certificates.
• Academic degrees and transcripts, for recognition of your studies (homologación).
• Nationality applications.
• Residence and family-reunification files.
• Entries in the Civil Registry.
• Anything filed in court.

A sworn translator is appointed by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Only that translator's signed and stamped translation counts as "sworn".

When you may not need a translation

• EU public documents. Certain EU-issued documents (birth, death, marriage, residence, no criminal record and others) can come with a multilingual standard form. If the form covers the content, the document needs no translation. The office can still ask for one if the form does not cover everything.
• Multilingual extracts. Civil-status certificates issued as multilingual extracts under the Vienna (CIEC) Convention between member states, including Spain, need no translation.
• Documents the official can read. Some offices accept English documents, passports or ID cards as they are. This is the office's choice, not your right.

When an ordinary translation may do

Spain has no general ban on translating a document yourself. But a simple translation is only accepted where the office allows it. That is mostly supporting private documents such as payslips or contracts, informal procedures, or cases where the official understands the language.

Do not use your own translation for the Civil Registry, courts, nationality, degree recognition or immigration files. It is generally refused there. Even then, an office that doubts the content can ask for a certified translation.

How to check with the office

Some immigration offices (Extranjería), Civil Registries, universities and regional bodies accept English or other languages untranslated. Others insist on a sworn translation for everything. Offices also differ on whether translations made abroad are accepted.

Do this before you order:

1. Read the checklist for your procedure on the office's website or sede electrónica.
2. If it is silent, email or phone the office. Or ask at the counter when you have your cita previa.
3. Get the answer in writing where you can.
4. If your case is complex, ask a lawyer or gestor.

The documents list and quick answers below cover which papers are affected and common questions about who can translate.

Documents you need

Documents you need

• Foreign civil-status certificates (birth, marriage, divorce), with a sworn translation by a translator appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Spanish offices and the Civil Registry normally ask for it.

• Foreign criminal record certificate, with a sworn translation. Nationality, residence and family-reunification files normally ask for it.

• Academic degrees and transcripts for recognition of your studies (homologación), with a sworn translation.

• EU-issued public documents (birth, death, marriage, residence, no criminal record) with the multilingual standard form attached. The form can replace a translation, unless the office says it does not cover the content.

• Civil-status certificates issued as multilingual extracts under the Vienna (CIEC) Convention between member states, including Spain. These need no translation.

• Documents in Spanish or the region's co-official language, or ones the official can read, such as passports, ID cards or English documents. These need no translation only if the office accepts them.

• Supporting private documents such as payslips or contracts, with an ordinary translation. Use it only if the office allows it. Court, Civil Registry, nationality, degree recognition and immigration files normally reject a translation you made yourself.

Quick answers on sworn translations

Can I translate my own documents for a Spanish office?

Yes, but only where the office accepts a simple translation, such as for supporting documents, some private papers like payslips or contracts, or informal procedures. Court, Civil Registry, nationality, degree recognition and immigration files normally need a sworn translation, and one you made yourself is generally refused there.

Is an electronically signed sworn translation accepted in Spain?

Yes, an electronically signed sworn translation is accepted for online filings through an office's electronic portal, as long as the translator signed it with a qualified electronic signature. A plain scan of a paper translation is only a copy. Some offices and courts still want the paper original with the wet signature and seal.

Does my sworn translator have to be based in Spain?

No, a sworn translator appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does not have to be based in Spain, although most are. A translation by a foreign sworn translator is accepted if the document is legalised or apostilled, or covered by an international convention. Many offices still prefer a translator appointed in Spain.

Can a Spanish consulate abroad translate my documents?

Sometimes, because a consulate may translate or validate documents itself where a consular official or sworn translator is available. Ask the consulate first, since not all of them offer this.