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Document translation
requirements by country.
Official document rules change across borders. You may need a sworn translator, a certified translation with an accuracy declaration, or notarization. An apostille or consular legalization is a separate requirement.
Explore 38 destinations and compare certification, authentication and relevant authorities. Requirements vary by document and application; confirm the receiving office’s current instructions.
Certified translation
United States
USCIS requires a full English translation of foreign-language documents, with the translator’s certification that the translation is complete and accurate and that they are competent to translate into English.
Translation standards at a glance.
38 destinations
These are common starting points, not universal country-wide rules. Authentication offices do not necessarily decide whether your translation is accepted. Exemptions and document-specific procedures may apply.
| Country | Translation standard | Apostille / legalization | Authority / starting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Australia | Certified | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade |
| Austria | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs |
| Belgium | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Belgian Federal Public Service Justice / Foreign Affairs |
| Brazil | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Canada | Certified | Not a blanket translation requirement. Check the specific submission; overseas use of local documents may require authentication. | Global Affairs Canada / Provincial authorities |
| China | Notarized | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Chinese Notary Offices; Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Colombia | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Denmark | Varies | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Finland | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland |
| France | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Receiving authority / French notarial apostille service |
| Germany | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Receiving authority / Federal Foreign Office |
| Greece | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| India | Certified | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Ministry of External Affairs |
| Indonesia | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Ministry of Law and Human Rights |
| Ireland | Certified | Not a blanket translation requirement. Check the specific submission; overseas use of local documents may require authentication. | Department of Foreign Affairs |
| Italy | Notarized | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Italian Public Prosecutor’s Office / Prefecture |
| Lithuania | Varies | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Notaries |
| Luxembourg | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs |
| Malaysia | Varies | Check the current treaty status and consular legalization or attestation route before arranging authentication. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Mexico | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores |
| Netherlands | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| New Zealand | Certified | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Department of Internal Affairs |
| Norway | Certified | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | NHH translator authorization / County Governor |
| Panama | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama |
| Poland | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Portugal | Notarized | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado |
| Russia | Notarized | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Ministry of Justice / Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Singapore | Certified | Not a blanket translation requirement. Check the specific submission; overseas use of local documents may require authentication. | Singapore Academy of Law |
| South Africa | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Department of International Relations and Cooperation |
| Spain | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation |
| Sweden | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Kammarkollegiet / Swedish notaries |
| Switzerland | Varies | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Receiving cantonal authority |
| Turkey | Notarized | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Receiving authority / Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| United Arab Emirates | Sworn | Check the current treaty status and consular legalization or attestation route before arranging authentication. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation |
| United Kingdom | Certified | Not a blanket translation requirement. Check the specific submission; overseas use of local documents may require authentication. | UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office |
| United States | Certified | Not a blanket translation requirement. Check the specific submission; overseas use of local documents may require authentication. | U.S. Department of State |
| Uruguay | Sworn | Authentication depends on the issuing country, document and receiving authority; treaty exemptions may apply. | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
Browse requirements by region.
Europe
Middle East & Africa
Three forms of translation certification.
01
Sworn translation
A translator appointed, authorized or registered under local rules certifies the translation using the required signature, seal or declaration. Spain, France and Germany have established local systems.
02
Certified translation
The translation includes a signed statement confirming accuracy and completeness. Translator eligibility and the declaration’s wording depend on the receiving body; USCIS and UK visa applications have their own instructions.
03
Notarized translation
A notary may witness or authenticate a translator’s signature or declaration. This is distinct from checking translation accuracy. Local procedures such as Italy’s asseverazione require more specific arrangements.
Frequently asked questions.
How do sworn, certified and notarized translations differ?
Sworn translators hold an appointment or authorization under local rules. Certified translations carry an accuracy declaration. Notarization usually authenticates a signature or declaration, not the accuracy of the translated text. Some countries use different local certification procedures.
Should I arrange an apostille before translation?
If the original document needs authentication, authorities often expect the apostille or legalization to be completed first so its text, seals and endorsements can also be translated. Confirm the sequence: some procedures additionally authenticate the translation or translator’s signature.
Will a certified translation from another country be accepted?
Not automatically. Acceptance depends on the receiving authority and the translator’s credentials. An office may require a locally sworn translator even when another agency accepts a signed accuracy declaration.
Can I translate my own documents?
Check the specific authority’s rules rather than assuming self-translation is permitted. Many procedures require an independent translator or exclude applicants and family members. Ask for the written eligibility requirements.
Where can I confirm my destination’s requirements?
Start with the office, consulate, university or court receiving your documents. Use the country guides and their official-source links as a starting point, then confirm the accepted language, translator credentials, certification and authentication requirements for your application.
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