What is a Sworn Translator?

The Sworn translator is the university professional, pursuant Law 20,305, whose area of work is the translation of any document presented in a foreign language before official agencies, entities or bodies.

The sworn translator the only professional authorized to sign and seal Sworn translations and to act as interpreter and translator in the courtroom.

In addition, their services are requested by the private area for the translation of all written material that requires professional responsibility and a high degree of training and specialization.

Why a Sworn translator must be registered?

The Sworn translator must be registered in the corresponding Association of Sworn Translators (for example, the Association of Sworn Translators of the City of Buenos Aires) whose function is to legalize the signature and seal inserted in the translation and verify the data of the intervening Sworn translator.

What is a Sworn translation?

Unlike a simple translation, a Sworn translation is a document that contains the signature and stamp of a Sworn translator.

The Sworn translation is together with the source document and has a seal on all its pages and the signature and stamp of the intervening Sworn translator at the end. The document and the translation form a single document.

When do I need a sworn translation and the services of a sworn translator?

If you need to submit translated documentation before a public body, you must request a sworn translation. No official institution accepts documents in a foreign language and without the corresponding sworn translation and legalization.

What is the relation between the Hague Apostille and the sworn translation?

The Hague Apostille, is a type of certification of notarial nature, which was agreed by all countries that signed a document known as Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Sworn Documents for being participants in the Hague Convention.

On the other hand, it is highlighted that the central objective of the Hague Apostille lies in speeding up the process required for public documents, which due to their characteristics are required to be validated, either through diplomatic or consular channels.

The legalization in the Association of Sworn Translators and the Hague Apostille are two different certifications and are carried out in different places. It is convenient to find out if the document you are going to present requires the Hague Apostille or the legalization in the Association of Sworn Translators to avoid inconveniences in the sworn translation service.

The Hague Apostille is a step prior to the sworn translation and, in Argentina, it is processed in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Esmeralda 1212, C.A.B.A.).