Certified Translation and Legalised Translation

Certified translation and sworn translation

When a certificate or document needs a legal translation, the translator must provide an official translation. This is also called a sworn translation. You can create documents that are legally valid in another country through sworn translations.

This type of translation is needed for many official documents. An official statement from the translator is required. This statement confirms that the translated text matches the original document accurately. Sworn translations are generally required for diplomas, academic qualifications, birth certificates, certificates of no impediment, certificates, and documents for citizenship or marriage.

Translations with Legal Value

Certain types of documents require additional steps to obtain legal value. Depending on the country's rules, you may need a certified or sworn translation for official documents.

In Italy, a translation is considered legally valid only if it is certified (sworn) by an official translator. The certification process involves a sworn statement before a public official (such as a court clerk). In this statement the translator declares that the translation is complete, faithful, and corresponds entirely to the original document.

Certified Translations

In a certified translation, the official translator states that the translation matches the original text. However, they do not need to take an oath before a public official. In some countries, a sworn translator issues a document that certifies the translation's accuracy. This document is often called a "Certificate of Accuracy."

In other countries, the concept of a sworn translation (i.e., a translation made official through the oath taken by the official translator in court) does not exist. Instead, there is the concept of a sworn translator. In some foreign countries, sworn translators are responsible for both the certified translation and the legalization process.

Legalised Translations

In Italy, the legalisation of a translation (legalised translation) is a procedure that follows the certification of the translation (i.e., the sworn translation or certified translation in court).

When the translator signs the sworn statement with the translation, they take on legal responsibility for its accuracy.

The sworn translation must be carried out in such a way as to ensure the completeness and correspondence between the translated text and the original. Therefore, the translator must possess in-depth knowledge of both languages and the specific terminology of the relevant field.

Legalisation

The legalization of a document is a process. In this process, a State authority confirms the signature's authenticity. They also verify the public official's status. Only an official document can be legalised.

Regarding the competence for the legalization of documents issued in Italy, it is necessary to distinguish:

For court and prosecution officials' judicial acts, the Public Prosecutor’s Office is the right authority. This office is at the court that has jurisdiction
For all other acts, the competent authority is the Prefecture.

If the document was issued in another country, it must be legalised or apostilled there. Once legalised or apostilled, the document can then be sworn (certified) translated in Italy

Conclusion

A sworn translation involves a procedure that guarantees the validity of the translated document. Requests for sworn translations from foreign countries often refer to the figure of the official translator. It is very important to avoid rejection of a non-compliant translation by the foreign authority. To do this, translations should be done by professional translators. These translators must be registered with the official register.

For more information, you can email us at avv.posa@hotmail.it. You can also reach us at +39 3298429140.