Sworn translation is a translation service that has official validity and is made by translators who are officially authorized before a notary. Sworn translators are sworn by a notary after proving their proficiency in a specific language and from this point on, they guarantee the accuracy and completeness of their translations. The importance of sworn translation is that official documents constitute a legal basis before various institutions. Therefore, translated documents must be prepared with great care not only in terms of linguistic accuracy but also in terms of legal validity.
Where is Sworn Translation Used?
Sworn translation is a type of translation that is generally requested for official and legal procedures. Below are some areas where sworn translation is frequently used:
- Official Documents: Sworn translation is required for translations of identity documents such as passport, ID, birth certificate, marriage certificate. These documents are frequently requested when making a transaction abroad or in immigration processes.
- Legal Documents: Court decisions, lawsuits, power of attorney, contracts, and other legal documents must be translated with sworn translation to be accepted by official institutions.
- Educational Documents: Academic documents such as diplomas, transcripts, certificates are important documents that need sworn translation for overseas applications or equivalency procedures.
- Commercial Documents: Company establishment documents, trade registry documents, bank documents, and other commercial documents are also made suitable for official procedures with notarized and sworn translation.
How to Become a Sworn Translator?
To become a sworn translator, a person must first prove their competence in a specific language. This language competence is generally documented with diplomas obtained from relevant university departments or language proficiency exams. Translator candidates with competency certificates apply to the notary and participate in a swearing ceremony. In this ceremony held before the notary, the translator swears to make accurate and complete translations and officially gains sworn translator status.
A sworn translator must officially declare the accuracy of their translations by signing and stamping their translations. Therefore, the responsibility of the translator is quite great when making sworn translations. Sworn translators must ensure that their translations are error-free and deliver them completely, otherwise they may bear legal responsibility.
What is the Difference Between Sworn Translation and Notarized Translation?
Sworn translation and notarized translation are sometimes confused. Sworn translation is translations made by sworn translators and committed with signature and seal regarding the accuracy of the translation. Notarized translation is the process of the translation made by the sworn translator being certified by the notary. Notary approval is sometimes mandatory for the official validity of documents. For example, notary approval may be required for documents to be submitted to an official institution abroad.
Notary approval is the process of the sworn translator's translation being checked and approved by the notary. The notary checks whether the translator's signature and seal are on the document and whether the sworn translator complies with notary records. In this process, the accuracy of the translation is not examined by the notary, only whether the sworn translator has signed the document is verified.
Why is Sworn Translation Important?
Sworn translation has critical importance in situations where not only linguistic accuracy but also legal validity must be ensured. Official institutions and judicial authorities request sworn translations to ensure that documents are translated accurately and completely. This is a great responsibility for both individual and corporate customers, and incorrect or incomplete translations can lead to serious legal problems.
The competencies of sworn translators are not limited to language knowledge, but also require them to have special knowledge according to the type of document they translate. Especially in legal and technical documents, it is of great importance that translators are proficient in the terminology in these areas. An incorrectly translated legal term or technical detail can cause the document to become completely invalid.
What Should Be Considered When Receiving Sworn Translation Service?
There are some important points to consider when receiving sworn translation services. The most important of these is that the translator has been officially sworn by a notary. In addition, it is important that the translator has knowledge about the content of the document to be translated as well as proficiency in the language to be translated. For legal documents, a translator proficient in legal terminology should be preferred, and for technical documents, a translator proficient in sector-specific terminology should be preferred.
In addition to the translation being done correctly and completely, it should also be determined whether notary approval is required. Especially for official documents to be sent abroad, learning whether notary approval is mandatory in advance will be beneficial for the smooth progress of the process.