Sworn translation
Sworn translations
We have been working as sworn translators for 30 years. In December 2019, our accreditation was renewed in accordance with the new legislation. Since February 2023, our sworn status has been reconfirmed in the official National Register of Sworn Translators and Interpreters. We are personally sworn for the following language combinations: Dutch – French – English – Spanish – Russian. For languages that are outside our areas of expertise — such as German, Portuguese, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Hungarian, and others — we collaborate with highly reliable partners. Is your language not listed? Just ask us!
Sworn translations are translations of documents that need to be submitted to an official authority. These may include birth, marriage or death certificates, powers of attorney, certificates of good conduct, proof of residence, single status certificates, or divorce decrees.
Businesses also frequently require official documents to be translated — such as articles of association, annual accounts, extracts from the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, or publications in the Belgian Official Gazette.
Depending on where the translation will be used, different procedures apply.
NEW PROCEDURE FOR SWORN TRANSLATIONS
Since 1 December 2022, the regulations regarding the procedure to be followed for delivering sworn translations have changed. A sworn translation is a translation (usually of a document for official use) made by a sworn translator who is listed in the National Registry of Sworn Translators and Interpreters. Each sworn translator is identifiable by a unique registration number (VTI number). The translation is certified by the translator's electronic signature linked to his ID.
At VBVG translations you may rest assured that we fully comply to the latest regulations.
Sworn translation for use in Belgium:
- You provide us with a scan of the document you wish to have translated or you come to our office with the document. We will carefully calculate the cost price and always ask you to agree to the price in advance.
- We make the translation and certify it with our electronic signature. Now it is a sworn translation, identical to the original.
- Since the new procedure of 1 December 2022, any sworn translation issued with the electronic signature of the sworn translator is considered a legalized translation.
- The translation is now ready for official use (e.g. for a marriage, a divorce registration, an application for Belgian nationality).
Sworn translation for use abroad:
- The same steps apply as for a sworn translation for use in Belgium.
- Since the new procedure of 1 December 2022, we are accredited partners of the Belgian Foreign Affairs Department. In this capacity, we are entitled to submit our translations in order to receive an apostille or legalization sticker by the Belgian Foreign Affairs Department.
What is the difference between an apostille or legalization?
- If your translation is to be filed in a country that is party to the Hague Convention (the Apostille Convention), your translation will receive an apostille. This is a digital apostille that is issued by the FPS Foreign Affairs.
- If the country of destination has not signed the convention, the translation will first receive a digital legalization and will then receive a physical sticker. After this the translation will still need to be legalized by the consulate of the country receiving the translation.
Afraid you won't see the wood for the trees? We can carry out all these steps for our customers and will be happy to provide you with a suitable quote.
Do you want to know whether your sworn translation will require an apostille?
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