Spanish Sworn Translation for Spain Visas — English ↔ Spanish

What Is a Spanish Sworn Translation (Traducción Jurada)?

A Spanish sworn translation (traducción jurada) is an official translation signed and stamped by a traductor-intérprete jurado — a translator appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The stamp and signature certify that the translation is complete and accurate, which makes it legally valid in Spain. It is the only kind of translation Spanish consulates and immigration offices accept.

The Ministry publishes the official list of sworn translators, so any sworn translation can be checked against it.

Why Spain Visa Applications Need Sworn Translations

Every document submitted to Spanish immigration authorities — whether the Spanish Consulate in London or an Oficina de Extranjería in Spain — must be in Spanish, or accompanied by a sworn (jurada) translation into Spanish. This is a legal requirement with no exceptions.

A sworn translation is different from a standard translation. It is produced by a translator officially accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who certifies with their signature and official stamp that the translation is a true and complete rendering of the original document. The Spanish consulate will reject applications containing non-certified translations.

Using an uncertified translation is one of the most common reasons Spain visa applications are rejected — see our full guide to 10 common Spain visa application mistakes for the complete list of avoidable errors. You should also check the Spanish Consulate London document requirements to confirm exactly which documents need sworn translation for your specific appointment.

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Sworn vs Certified Translation: What's the Difference?

The two terms are often mixed up, but they are used for different authorities:

If your document is going to a Spanish authority, you need a sworn translation. A standard UK certified translation will be rejected.

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How Our Sworn Translation Service Works

1. Get your apostille first (UK public documents). Birth, marriage and criminal record certificates and degrees need an FCDO apostille before translation — see how below.
2. Send us your documents for a quote. Tell us which documents you need translated and we'll confirm the price and turnaround within one business day.
3. An MFA-accredited translator does the translation. Each translation is signed and stamped as a sworn translation (traducción jurada).
4. Receive your translations in 3–5 business days, or within 24 hours with our express service.

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Documents We Translate

Spanish → English (for use in the UK)

Moving back to the UK, or need a Spanish document recognised by a UK authority? We certify Spanish-to-English translations accepted by UK government departments, courts, universities and employers.

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Do Your Documents Need an Apostille?

Many UK public documents — criminal record certificates, birth certificates, marriage certificates, and academic degrees — must be apostilled before translation. An apostille is an official certification added to a document by the FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) that verifies the signature and seal of the UK authority that issued it.

Two things matter: the apostille must be obtained before the sworn translation (so the apostille itself is translated too), and you arrange the apostille yourself — directly with the FCDO or through an apostille service. Agrin UK provides the sworn translation only, not the apostille — but the guide below explains exactly how to get yours.

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How to Apostille Your UK Documents Yourself

Prefer to arrange the apostille yourself before sending documents for sworn translation? Here is the process for UK-issued documents:

1. Check the document is apostille-ready. UK public documents (birth, marriage and death certificates, DBS/criminal record certificates, and academic degrees) can be apostilled directly. Private documents (e.g. letters, contracts) usually need to be certified by a UK solicitor or notary first.
2. Apply online through the official FCDO service. Submit your application on the UK government's Get your document legalised (apostille) service, then post the original document to the Legalisation Office as instructed.
3. Choose standard or premium. The standard postal service typically takes around two weeks; registered businesses can use a faster next-day premium service. A fee is charged per document — always check the current rate on GOV.UK.
4. Receive the apostilled original, then have it sworn-translated into Spanish. The translation must always be done after the apostille, so the apostille itself is translated too.

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Note that certified translations are also required when renewing your Spanish residency permit — the same standards apply at renewal as at the initial application stage.

Spanish Sworn Translation Prices

Translations are included in our Full Assistance and Premium visa packages. With other packages, or on their own, they are priced per document as above. Contact us for an exact quote for your documents.

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Sworn Translation FAQs