Document Translation Requirements by Country

A sworn translation is produced by a translator who has taken an oath before a court or government authority and stamps the translation with an official seal — the standard in countries like Spain, France, Germany, and Brazil. A certified translation is accompanied by a signed Certificate of Accuracy from a professional translator or agency — the standard in the United States (USCIS), the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. A notarized translation is a certified translation where a notary public additionally verifies the translator’s identity and signature.

Get the apostille (or consular legalization) on the original document first, then have the document translated. The translation must cover everything on the document — including the stamps, seals, and text of the apostille certificate itself.

It depends on the destination. Countries with a certified-translation standard (the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand) generally accept a professional certified translation with a Certificate of Accuracy. Countries with a sworn-translator system (Spain, France, Germany, Brazil, and most of continental Europe and Latin America) usually require a translation by a translator sworn or registered in that country for in-country official use. Open your destination country on this page to see its exact rules and official registries.

Almost never. Official bodies — USCIS in the United States, IRCC in Canada, courts and civil registries across Europe — reject self-translated documents because of the conflict of interest. The translation must be completed by an independent, qualified professional and certified according to the destination country’s standard.

Search for the country above, click it on the map, or find it in the comparison table below. Each country page lists the required translation standard, who is allowed to translate, whether an apostille is needed, the responsible authority, and links to official registries and guidelines.