Official Documents
Sworn translations in Spain
Why Spanish authorities require sworn translations for foreign documents, and how to get one done correctly.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-15Turnaround varies by translator and document length — commonly a few days for standard documents like birth or marriage certificates.
This guide is not yet verified by Tuchati's editorial review — treat it as a helpful starting point, not a final legal answer.
Overview
When a foreign document isn't in Spanish, most Spanish authorities won't accept a standard translation — they require a sworn translation (traducción jurada), completed by a translator specifically accredited for this by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Requirements
- The translator must appear on the official MAEC (Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores) register of sworn translators-interpreters for the specific language pair you need
- The original document (often already apostilled, depending on the procedure) is usually needed by the translator to complete the work properly
Step-by-step process
- Confirm which language(s) you need translated and search the official MAEC register for an accredited sworn translator for that pair
- Send the translator your original document (or an apostilled version, if the specific procedure requires the apostille to be translated too)
- Receive the completed sworn translation, signed and stamped by the translator, which carries official legal validity
- Submit the sworn translation alongside the original document to the relevant Spanish authority
Required documents
- The original document requiring translation
- Confirmation of which specific procedure the translation is for, since this can affect exactly what needs translating (including, sometimes, the apostille itself)
Common mistakes
- Using a translator who isn't on the official MAEC register — even an excellent translation won't be accepted as 'sworn' if the translator isn't accredited
- Translating a document before it's apostilled, when the specific procedure actually requires the apostille itself to be part of what's translated
Practical tips
- Search the MAEC's official online database directly rather than relying on a translator's own claim of accreditation
- If you need the same document translated for multiple procedures, ask your translator for extra signed copies at the time, since reprints later may cost more
How Tuchati can help
Tuchati can point you to accredited sworn translators for your specific language pair and help you sequence translation correctly alongside any apostille needed.