What is a sworn translation?
Before delving into the cost of a sworn translation, we need to explain what we mean by a sworn translation.
This is a translation carried out by a sworn translator appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, who certifies that the translation is a faithful rendering of the original document. It holds official status and legal validity, as do notarial documents, and although it tends to be of a legal or financial nature, sworn translation can be used for numerous purposes.
This type of translation is usually requested by official bodies for various administrative and judicial procedures where it is required to present specific documentation, the veracity of which must be guaranteed by a sworn translator’s signature and stamp.
As we have already mentioned, many different documents may need a sworn translation and the most common types are business documents (minutes, annual accounts, articles of association, power of attorney, bylaws, invoices, etc.), certificates and other legal documents (civil registry entries, wills, criminal records, court rulings, etc.), academic documents (university degree certificates, diplomas, academic transcripts, course syllabuses, etc.) and other personal documents (ID cards, passports, e-mails, etc.). The price of a sworn translation can vary not only depending on the subject matter of the source text but also on other factors outlined below.
How much does a sworn translation cost in Barcelona?
The way in which the price of a sworn translation is calculated differs from country to country. In Spain, the costs are normally worked out on a price-per-word basis, but there may also be a minimum price per document, usually in the case of short documents such as university degree certificates. This minimum price tends to fall between €50 and €60 + VAT depending on the language pair requested.
Overseas Translations operates from Barcelona but works with sworn translators all over Spain, so we can deliver services anywhere within the Spanish borders and abroad and deliver sworn translations by courier service.
The costs of a sworn translation broken down
Calculating the price of a sworn translation service begins when our project manager receives and analyses the document that needs a sworn translation.
Firstly, we determine the total number of words to be translated. To this end, and whenever we receive a document in a non-editable format, we first have to make it editable in order to establish the word count. Next, we apply the corresponding rate. In some languages, like German and Dutch, the price may increase by 10-15% since often one word in the original document is equivalent to multiple words in Spanish.
The format in which the sworn translation should be delivered is also important; if the original format needs to be recreated by means of layout work, the price will go up.
Finally, if the client requests an additional copy of the sworn translation or a delivery by courier service, this will imply another increase in the price.
In any case, the client always receives a quotation detailing all the services and charges applied to avoid any doubts. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have, without obligation.
What influences the cost of a sworn translation?
The main factors impacting the price of a sworn translation are:
Language pair
Depending on the language of the source document and the target language, there may be slight variations in the final price of a sworn translation.
In general, the languages with the lowest translation rates (such as English and French) are those in which there are more sworn translators authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, as opposed to those languages in which there are fewer sworn translators (such as Hebrew and Chinese).
The difference in the translation rates can amount to several cents per word; if we are dealing with a short document (a criminal record certificate, for instance), the final price may not increase much, but if the document is of considerable length (for example, a company’s articles of association), the difference will be more striking.
The subject matter of the document
This is another important factor as when it comes to translating a text of complex subject matter (for example, a medical report) and certifying it, it may be tricky to find a translator to cover both requirements, which is likely to entail a surcharge to the price.
Format of the original document
Sometimes the documents that require a sworn translation are handwritten, the client sends them in a non-convertible format or we need to add a post-translation DTP service to preserve as much as possible the look of the original document.
The more complex the format, the more work it tends to require, which is reflected in a higher price for the service.
Urgency of the sworn translation
Do you need a sworn translation urgently? By urgency we mean how fast we deliver the sworn translation in relation to the length of the original document, i.e. when we are asked to translate a document of considerable volume in a short period of time or on public holidays or weekends. For instance, a client sends us a document of 15,000 words and needs the translation in 3 days.
In such a case, an urgency surcharge is usually levied on the final price for the service; since a sworn translator usually produces around 2,500 words per day, he or she would have to work longer hours in order to meet the client’s timeframe.
Certificate translation cost
|
English, French, Catalan, Basque, Galician, Italian, Portuguese > Spanish |
German, Dutch, Polish, Russian, Czech, Romanian > Spanish |
||
|
Criminal record certificate: 400 words. |
€50 |
€65 |
|
|
Birth, death or marriage certificate: 500 words. |
€60 |
€75 |
|
|
Notarial act: 2,000 words. |
€240 |
€300 |
|
|
Diplomas and degree certificates: 300-500 words. |
€60 |
€75 |
|
|
Academic records: 1,000 words. |
€120 |
€150 |
|
|
Articles of association: 3,000 words. |
€360 |
€450 |
|
|
Contracts: 2,500 words. |
€300 |
€375 |
* Indicative prices (VAT not included)
Delivery time
At Overseas Translations, we are flexible and meet the needs of our clients, although it is worth noting that the turnaround time for a sworn translation is usually longer than that for a standard translation as some of the factors mentioned above come into play, such as the language pair.
In case of languages like Swedish, Ukrainian and Finnish, the existence of few authorised sworn translators leads to slightly longer turnaround times as they have tighter schedules and therefore less availability.
The role of the sworn translator
Finally, it is worthwhile to understand the role of the sworn translator in this process.
In today’s highly globalised world, sworn translators play a central role in bridging communication barriers between companies from different sectors and countries, thus contributing to their worldwide business expansion and growth.
Sworn translation by a certified translator involves not only reproduction; the translator certifies the veracity of the translated content and that it is faithful and accurate to the original document.
In order to be considered valid, a sworn translation must bear the sworn translator’s signature and stamp on every page of their reproduction and date and stamp on the original document.
The quality of sworn translations
In order to guarantee the utmost quality of all our projects(including sworn translations), at Overseas Translations we carry out an additional internal review of every sworn translation.
This way we can detect any possible errors or omissions by the sworn translator prior to printing. As the saying goes, “two pairs of eyes see better than one”. It is these details that distinguish us from other translation agencies as we attach great importance to every translation and even more so if it is sworn due to its official nature.
If you are looking for a quality sworn translation at a reasonable price, do not hesitate to contact us.
