Poll: Is there a difference between certified and sworn translations in your country?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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Aug 1, 2025

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Is there a difference between certified and sworn translations in your country?".

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Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugal
Local time: 10:54
Member (2007)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Other Aug 1, 2025

In Portugal, unlike other countries, there are no sworn translators. To certify a translation, so that a translated document is legally valid, it is necessary to make its certification at the organisations empowered to do so (namely Notary’s Offices and Attorneys).

Joy Lewis
Angie Garbarino
 
Oscar Núñez Alfaro
Oscar Núñez Alfaro  Identity Verified
Costa Rica
Local time: 03:54
Member (Oct 2026)
English to Spanish
+ ...
Yes, there is! Aug 1, 2025

In Costa Rica, you could be a sworn translator by the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration. It means that you could translate wedding certificates, driving license, and any official papers required by governmental entities.

On the other hand, certified translators are less popular, they could definitely not translate any official papers, and the certification is mostly given by foreign associations and entities to demonstrate the abilities of the translators, for exampl
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In Costa Rica, you could be a sworn translator by the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration. It means that you could translate wedding certificates, driving license, and any official papers required by governmental entities.

On the other hand, certified translators are less popular, they could definitely not translate any official papers, and the certification is mostly given by foreign associations and entities to demonstrate the abilities of the translators, for example ATA certifications, Proz.com Certified Pro translators, etc.
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Ana Maria Bustos Kaempffer
Ana Maria Bustos Kaempffer  Identity Verified
Chile
Local time: 06:54
Member (2005)
English to Spanish
+ ...
Sworn or Certified Translators in Chile Aug 1, 2025

In Chile, there are no sworn or certified translators. Translations are declared to be true to the original and signed by the author, as the signatures of Cotich members are accepted in many countries.

 
Claudia Aguero
Claudia Aguero  Identity Verified
Costa Rica
Local time: 03:54
Spanish to English
+ ...
I fully disagree. Aug 1, 2025

Oscar Núñez Alfaro wrote:

In Costa Rica, you could be a sworn translator by the General Directorate of Migration and Immigration. It means that you could translate wedding certificates, driving license, and any official papers required by governmental entities.

On the other hand, certified translators are less popular, they could definitely not translate any official papers, and the certification is mostly given by foreign associations and entities to demonstrate the abilities of the translators, for example ATA certifications, Proz.com Certified Pro translators, etc.


In Costa Rica, there are only official translators and interpreters appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Our heading has all the data related to our appointment. We are notaries public in the area of translation and interpretation. No other certification is accepted in the country.


 
Maria Laura Curzi
Maria Laura Curzi  Identity Verified
Argentina
Local time: 06:54
English to Spanish
+ ...
Argentina Aug 6, 2025

In Argentina, to become a sworn translator, you study at the College of Law along with lawyers.
Then, to become a technical and literary translator, you study at the College of Humanities or in Community Colleges.


 


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Poll: Is there a difference between certified and sworn translations in your country?






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