English ↔ Spanish sworn translation

Who needs this service?

English–Spanish is the most requested sworn-translation pair in Spain. Typical customers include UK and Irish nationals handling residence or property matters after moving to Spain, US and Canadian applicants for visas and non-lucrative residence, Australian and South African students validating qualifications, retirees documenting pension income, and Spanish nationals presenting Spanish documents to authorities, universities or employers in English-speaking countries.

Translation direction

Both directions are handled from this same page; the direction you need depends on the destination authority and procedure.

Countries and issuing authorities

• United Kingdom — General Register Office certificates, ACRO police certificates, DBS checks, and university transcripts.
• United States — state vital-records offices, county clerks, the FBI Identity History Summary, and notarised corporate documents.
• Ireland — the General Register Office and Garda vetting or police certificates.
• Canada and Australia — provincial/state registries, RCMP certified criminal record checks, and AFP National Police Checks.
• Document names differ between these jurisdictions — there is no single "English document system", and the sworn translation reflects the exact issuing format.

Common documents

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Criminal record certificate
• Academic transcript / diploma
• Bachelor's Degree Certificate
• Bank / employment certificate
• Pension certificate
• Driving licence

Common procedures

• Extranjería
• Spanish Nationality
• University Admission
• Driving Licence Exchange
• Notary Procedures

Translation considerations

• The same document type has different names across jurisdictions (police certificate, criminal record check, DBS certificate, Identity History Summary) — the translation preserves the official title of the specific document issued.
• English names typically use given name + middle name(s) + one surname, while Spanish records expect two surnames; the translator reproduces names exactly as issued so they match your passport and NIE.
• Many English-language certificates are now issued as digital PDFs with verification codes (for example ACRO police certificates); these can usually be translated from the digital original.
• US documents often combine state-level certificates with county-level seals and notarisations — each seal and certification is reflected in the sworn translation.
• Dates written day/month versus month/day are disambiguated from the document context and rendered unambiguously in the translation.

Turnaround options

Delivery and digital format

You upload a clear scan or photo, a MAEC-appointed sworn translator prepares the certified translation, and delivery is by digitally signed PDF (PAdES) valid under Orden AUC/213/2025 where applicable. Some receiving authorities may additionally request printed copies — the authority handling your procedure determines the final format requirements.

Apostille and legalisation

Translation and legalisation are separate steps. The United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, Australia and — since January 2024 — Canada are all parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, so an apostille on the original is often requested for civil documents used in Spain. Whether it is required depends on the issuing country, the receiving authority and the procedure; confirm with the authority receiving your documents. Traducet translates the document and its apostille but does not determine the legal validity of the original.

Official references

• HCCH — Apostille Convention entry into force for Canada (11 January 2024)

Common questions