If you’re a Filipino citizen and need to submit documents in Spain, you’ll likely need them officially translated. For these documents to be legally valid, they must be translated by a sworn translator certified in Spain. We offer sworn Spanish translations for Filipino citizens. Here’s everything you need to know about the process and when a sworn translation is required.
What is a sworn translation and when is it necessary?
A sworn translation is an official translation made by a translator authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Spain. These translations are legally valid and are typically required for important documents that will be submitted to official institutions, such as:
- Birth, marriage, and criminal record certificates
- Academic diplomas, transcripts, and certificates
- Identification documents, passports, and visas
- Powers of attorney and other legal documents
Documents issued in the Philippines, which are usually in English, must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator in Spain to be accepted by Spanish institutions.
Why Hire a Spanish sworn translator?
It’s crucial that the translator be registered and authorized in Spain, as only sworn translators in Spain can produce translations that have official status in the country. By working with an authorized sworn translator, your documents will receive an official certification that guarantees the accuracy of the translation and its legal validity before authorities.
Preliminary Requirement: The Apostille of the Hague
Before translating the documents, it’s important to check if they need to be apostilled. The apostille is a certification that allows official documents issued in the Philippines to be recognized in Spain. You can obtain the apostille in the Philippines before sending your documents for translation.
The apostille authenticates the origin of a public document so that it can be recognized internationally. It is part of the Hague Convention of 1961, which aims to simplify the process of legalizing documents for use across different countries. For documents issued in the Philippines (or any country that is a member of the Hague Convention), the apostille ensures that they will be accepted as genuine and official when presented in another member country, such as Spain.
When submitting documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, academic diplomas, or criminal record certificates in Spain, it is often necessary to have the apostille attached. Without it, Spanish authorities may not recognize the documents as authentic, even if they are translated correctly. The apostille serves as proof that the document has been issued by the competent authority in the Philippines and is legally valid.
When is an Apostille Required for Filipino Citizens?
For Filipino citizens intending to live, work, or study in Spain, having an apostille on documents such as academic records, marriage certificates, or birth certificates is usually a prerequisite. In particular, if you are applying for a visa, residence permit, or legal recognition of your qualifications, the apostille ensures that the Spanish authorities will treat your documents as valid.
It’s important to note that not all documents require an apostille. For instance, documents like personal letters or non-official documents typically do not need this certification. However, for official records such as government-issued certificates, the apostille is a must.
Steps to obtain a sworn translation into Spanish
- Contact a Sworn Translator recognised by the Spanish Government
I am a Spanish sworn translator with more than 20 years of experience translating Filipino documents. - Send scanned copies of the documents
In most cases, a good scan will be enough for the translator to perform their work. Ensure that the documents are clear and complete. - Receive the translation
The sworn translator will provide you with the certified translation, which will include their signature and seal, guaranteeing its official status. - Submit the translation to the relevant institution
With the sworn translation in hand, you can submit it to the authorities that require it.
Sworn Spanish translations for Filipino citizens
Working with a Spanish sworn translator who specializes in legal documents is essential to ensure your paperwork is valid in Spain. If you’re a Filipino citizen in need of a certified English to Spanish translation, we’re here to help you complete the process quickly and reliably.
Contact us here if you need a sworn Spanish translation.
USEFUL LINKS
https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/manila/es/Paginas/index.aspx
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Sworn / Legal English-Spanish Translator with 20 years of experience in legal translation. BA in Translation & Interpreting and Graduate Diploma in English Law. Specialising in trusts, contracts, company documents and civil litigation documents. Traductora jurada y jurídica de inglés 20 años de experiencia en la traducción jurídica. Licenciada en Traducción e Interpretación y Graduada en Derecho inglés. Especializada en trusts, contratos, documentos societarios y escritos y documentos para procesos civiles y mercantiles.
