The word “sworn translation” goes hand in hand with the sworn (or sworn) translation service, from which it takes its name. But what is it exactly? Let’s see better later when it is necessary and what role it plays.
The translation of the original text
Whether it is a certified translation or a sworn translation, the preventive phase for both is the translation. But don’t get confused: they are two types of translation that are different in nature, function and procedure.
Let’s take the case in which you want to present Italian documents in a foreign country. What you will most likely be asked for is a translation of the aforementioned documents into the target language. Whether to enroll in a university or to change residence or to sign an employment contract. The entity or country making this request needs documents that are understandable – linguistically speaking – even to its eyes. Therefore translation is the first step to carry out any official procedure.
Since these are still official documents or deeds, no linguistic or stylistic license in this sense is permitted. Fidelity and conformity to the original text is required which only an expert linguist in the sector will be able to provide you by operating with extreme meticulousness and care. Even non-verbal elements of the original text (seals, stamps, signatures) require translation, description or transcription in the translated text. A professional translator has a mastery of the vocabulary and knowledge of the destination country for which your translation would be compliant with the law.
Following the translation, the translator will proceed to authenticate the work carried out based on the nature and intended use of the document itself or the country of destination.
The sworn statement or oath report
If the document takes on a legal value from the beginning, then it will be necessary to transmit this value also in the final translation document. Legal validity must be guaranteed in all translation documents, if the original document has this same characteristic. Otherwise, it may be sufficient to use a certified translation.
The certified translation requires the translator to certify the authenticity of the final product through the certificate of accuracy, signed and/or stamped by the translator himself. Many English-speaking countries consider a certified translation of documents to be sufficiently valid, without it being stamped by any judicial authority. To deliver official documents in Italy, however, the self-certification issued by the translator of the certified translation is not enough. Then we proceed with the certification.
In order to proceed in this direction, the translator must provide a sworn translation. The sworn (or sworn) translation is a translation that requires the translator to solemnly swear the authenticity and correctness of the work carried out before a public official (registrar or notary) of the judicial system.
In an Asseveration office of the Court or in any other judicial body that lends itself to this service, the translator must present himself equipped with all the documentation necessary to carry out the bureaucratic process. The translator recites the oath formula and proceeds to affix his signature (and/or the stamp, if he has one). After that, the registrar is also asked to countersign all the documents, thus giving validity to the minutes and officially registering them.
The oath (or sworn) report is stapled together with the original document and the translated document. Attaching the entire documentation in a single file prevents the loss of legal validity: if even just one of the pages were to be lost or separated, the documents would lose value.
Costs
The costs for the sworn translation vary depending on the number of words to be translated and the languages involved. The self-certification issued by the translator for the certified translation is signed only by the translator in charge or by the agency for which you work; it is not an act issued or recognized by a judicial body. While the sworn service involves legal documents produced by a judicial body – which is why it is subject to the attribution of stamp duty. It is also possible to estimate the cost for the shipping service of the documentation to the address of the recipient(s).
However, LingoYou boasts an irremediably competitive and economical offer, without affecting the quality of our services!
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