Certified translation
Our sworn translators are here to help you
What is a certified translation?
A certified translation is a translation which is accompanied by a declaration by a sworn translator attesting to its accuracy and completeness. A certified translation is sometimes referred to as an ‘official' translation or 'sworn' translation. A certified translation can only be produced by a sworn translator.
Our sworn translator attaches a declaration to the translation with an official stamp and his or her signature. The declaration attests that the translation of the original document is correct, faithful and complete. The translation and declaration must be attached to the original document or a certified copy of the original document.
A certified translation can also be ‘legalized’ by a District Court in the Netherlands. This is confirmation that the signature is indeed that of our sworn translator.
Depending on the country for which the translation is intended, a legalization in the form of an 'apostille' (a simplified form of legalization) may be enough. Otherwise, a more extensive legalization procedure must be followed.
Certified translations of the highest quality
Do you need a certified translation of a notarial deed or some other official document? We can help.
Every certified translation is produced by one of our sworn translators. A sworn translator is someone who has a formal qualification in translation and who has taken an oath before one of the Dutch District Courts. He or she is registered in the Dutch Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (RBTV) for one or more specific language pairs. This register is kept by the Legal Aid Board (Raad voor Rechtsbijstand), an agency of the Dutch Ministry of Justice and Security.
Sworn translators must meet very strict requirements regarding qualifications and conduct. They must also undertake ongoing refresher education (continuing professional development).
Engage an All-Round sworn translator and benefit from our knowledge and experience.
Extra service: legalization of a certified translation
Sometimes a certified translation must also be ‘legalized’, either by means of an apostille or by means of a standard legalization. Both an apostille and a standard legalization can be obtained from any of the Dutch District Courts (‘rechtbanken’) and both are official certificates confirming that the signature and stamp on a translation are genuine.
Do you need a legalized certified translation? We will be happy to arrange that for you. In addition to the signature of our sworn translator, we can also have the signature on the primary document legalized, such as the signature of the notary, civil registrar or Chamber of Commerce representative.
Click on the following button to read about the difference between an apostile and a standard legalization and whether an apostille or standard legalization is necessary in your case:
Read more about apostilles and legalization
When is a certified translation required?
When a translation of an official document has to be submitted for official purposes in another country, it is often stipulated that the translation must be certified. The recipient of the translation, often a public authority, wishes to be certain that the translation has been produced by a qualified and competent translator who is registered as such with the authorities.
For example: the registration of a company or partnership, the winding up of an estate or an application for a grant or subsidy.
In most cases, certified translations are therefore of notarial deeds (articles of association, deeds of incorporation, wills, certificates of succession, etc.), court rulings (including divorce decrees), extracts from the Business Register and other official documents.