Certified Sworn Translation for Spain

When submitting documents to Spain for immigration, residency, citizenship, or legal purposes, it is not enough to simply translate the document into Spanish. In many cases, the translation itself must also meet strict legal requirements and may need to be apostilled when completed in the United States.

Understanding the difference between a standard certified translation and a sworn translation for Spain is critical to avoid delays or rejection.

What Is a Certified Sworn Translation for Spain

A sworn translation, known in Spain as a traducción jurada, is a legally recognized translation performed by a translator authorized by the Spanish government.

This type of translation includes a certification statement, signature, and official stamp confirming that the translation is complete and accurate. Sworn translations are required for documents submitted to Spanish authorities, including consulates, immigration offices, and courts.

Standard certified translations commonly used in the United States are not always accepted in Spain unless they meet sworn translation requirements.

When a Translation Must Be Apostilled

If a translation is completed in the United States, many Spanish authorities require that the translation itself be notarized and apostilled in order to be accepted.

This means:

• The original document must be apostilled
• The translation must be properly certified
• The translation must be notarized
• The notarized translation may also require an apostille

This additional step is often required because the translation was not completed by a sworn translator officially recognized in Spain.

Failure to properly apostille the translation is one of the most common reasons documents are rejected by Spanish authorities.

Step-by-Step Process for Documents Being Used in Spain

1. Step 1: Obtain the original document
2. Step 2: Apostille the original document in the appropriate state or at the federal level
3. Step 3: Translate the document into Spanish
4. Step 4: Notarize the translation if required
5. Step 5: Apostille the translation when necessary

Each step must be completed correctly to ensure the document is accepted in Spain.

Common Documents That Require Sworn Translation and Apostille

• FBI background checks
• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificates
• Divorce decrees
• Academic diplomas and transcripts
• Power of attorney
• Affidavits and sworn statements

Each document must be reviewed to determine whether both the original and the translation require apostille.

Common Mistakes That Cause Rejection

• Submitting a translation without apostille when required
• Using a standard translation instead of a sworn translation
• Failing to notarize the translation
• Apostilling the wrong version of the document
• Submitting documents in the wrong order

These errors can delay your application or result in rejection.

How to Ensure Your Documents Are Accepted

To avoid delays or rejection, it is important to ensure that:

• Your original documents are properly apostilled
• Your translations meet Spanish requirements
• Your translations are notarized when required
• Your translations are apostilled when completed in the United States

Proper preparation is essential for successful document submission in Spain.

Contact Miami Dade Apostille

Miami Dade Apostille provides apostille services for all 50 U.S. states and federal documents, including FBI background checks. We also assist with notarization and certified translations for international use.

Call 1-800-631-9171 or email [email protected] to begin your process.