Sworn vs regular translation in Spain
12/05/2025 
Reading time: 3 min Sworn vs regular translation in Spain: what is the difference
When you move to Spain, almost every foreign document — a criminal-record certificate, a diploma, a marriage or birth certificate, a bank statement — must be translated into Spanish. But there's a catch that trips people up: for official procedures the authorities accept only a sworn translation (traducción jurada), not an ordinary one. Using a regular translation on a visa or residence file is a common, avoidable cause of delay or refusal. Here's the difference and when each is needed.
- For official proceduressworn (jurada)Visas, residence, university, courts — only this is accepted.
- Who can do ita traductor juradoA translator certified by Spain's Foreign Ministry (MAEC).
- What makes it officialstamp + signatureLegal force equal to the original, no notary needed.
- Regular translationinformal use onlyUnderstanding a text, internal use — not for authorities.
- Also often neededapostille firstThe original is apostilled, then sworn-translated.
What a sworn translation is
A sworn translation (traducción jurada) is done by a traductor jurado — a translator officially certified by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). It carries the translator's stamp and signature, which give it the same legal force as the original document. No separate notary certification is needed — the sworn translator's stamp is what makes it official. This is the only form of translation Spanish authorities accept for legally significant procedures.
What a regular translation is
A regular (non-sworn) translation is any competent translation without that official certification. It's fine for understanding a text, internal company use or informal purposes — but it has no legal standing. Submit one where a sworn translation is required and it will be rejected, often after you've already waited weeks for a decision.
When you need which
| Situation | Translation needed |
|---|---|
| Visa or residence application | Sworn (jurada) |
| Criminal-record certificate, diploma, marriage/birth certificate | Sworn |
| University admission (homologation) | Sworn |
| Court or notary procedures | Sworn |
| Reading a contract, internal use | Regular is enough |
Frequently asked questions
Official sources:
• MAEC — sworn translators and interpreters register
