Sworn translations in Alicante

If a foreign-language document has to be submitted to a Spanish authority, court, university, notary or other organisation, you may be asked for an official translation. In Spain this is commonly a sworn translation completed by a translator authorised for the relevant language combination.

LinguaVox manages sworn translation projects in Alicante and throughout the province. Before confirming a quote, we review the document, the language pair, the intended use and any instructions given by the receiving organisation.

What a sworn translation means in Spain

A Spanish sworn translator certifies the fidelity and accuracy of the translation in accordance with the rules that govern sworn translation in Spain. Work completed by these professionals has official status and can be submitted before judicial and administrative bodies.

This is not the same as an ordinary legal translation. A commercial contract can require an experienced legal translator without needing sworn status. A short birth certificate, by contrast, may need a sworn translation because it is being filed as part of an official procedure.

English-speaking clients often use the expression “certified translation”. If the document is for use in Spain, it is better to check what the receiving body actually requires rather than assume that any form of certification will be accepted.

Documents commonly translated under oath or certification

Requests often involve birth, marriage and death certificates; criminal record certificates; university degrees and transcripts; school records; court judgments; powers of attorney; deeds; company certificates; medical certificates; adoption or family documentation; and documents connected with residence, nationality or cross-border procedures.

Apostilles, stamps, seals and annotations may also form part of the material that has to be reproduced or described. For that reason we need to see the complete document before giving a final quote.

Electronic and paper delivery

Spain now regulates the use of electronic signatures by sworn translators. This allows sworn work to be certified electronically when the applicable requirements are met. A receiving organisation may nevertheless have its own submission procedure, so we recommend checking whether it accepts a digitally signed document or expects a paper original.

If you have written instructions from a registry, university, notary, court or other body, send them with the document. We will take them into account when preparing the quotation.

English-Spanish sworn translations

English is one of the most common sworn language combinations in Alicante. Typical requests include UK certificates used in Spain, Spanish civil-status documents used abroad, academic documents, company paperwork, powers of attorney and documents linked to property or inheritance.

For general work between the two languages, see our page on English-Spanish translation. For property and notarial documents, see legal and property translations in the Costa Blanca.

Sworn translations across Alicante province

You can arrange a sworn translation from anywhere in the province. We regularly receive enquiries connected with Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Benidorm, Dénia, Jávea/Xàbia and other Costa Blanca towns.

The documents can normally be sent digitally for assessment. There is no need to travel to Alicante city simply to obtain a quotation.

What to send for a quotation

Please send a clear copy of every page that needs to be translated. Tell us the source and target languages, where the document will be used, the deadline and any delivery requirement you already know about.

For official paperwork, a photograph can be enough for an initial assessment if the entire document is visible and legible. If parts are cut off, blurred or hidden, we may need a better scan before confirming the job.

Send us your documents for a free sworn translation quotation.

Frequently asked questions

Is a sworn translation always required for a foreign document in Spain?

No. It depends on the receiving organisation and the purpose of the document. Some procedures require an official sworn translation; others accept an ordinary professional translation or documents issued in a multilingual format.

Does a sworn translation need an apostille?

An apostille and a translation serve different purposes. Whether an apostille or another form of legalisation is required depends on the document, country of issue and procedure. Check the instructions for your specific case before arranging extra formalities.

Can I receive the translation as a digitally signed file?

Electronic signature is regulated for Spanish sworn translators, but the receiving body may still specify its accepted submission format. Tell us where the document will be filed so that the delivery option can be considered before the project starts.

Do you need the original document before translating it?

Usually a complete, legible digital copy is enough to prepare a quote and, in many cases, to carry out the translation. If the specific procedure requires inspection or delivery of an original, that is a separate requirement of the receiving body.

How long does a sworn translation take?

Timing depends on the language, length, complexity, legibility and translator availability. Send the complete document and your deadline; we will confirm what is feasible before you place the order.