Certified translation means that a state-approved translator translates and confirms a document’s accuracy through signature and official stamp. This gives the translation legal validity that is accepted by authorities and institutions.
Who can perform certified translation?
In Sweden, translators are authorised by Kammarkollegiet after passing the authorisation examination. The examination tests the translator’s language skills and ability to translate various types of text correctly. Authorised translators have also committed to following ethical guidelines for confidentiality, impartiality and professionalism. An authorised translator may only be authorised for specific language pairs, for example, Swedish to English or Swedish to Arabic. Each language pair requires separate authorisation. This ensures that the translator has mastery of both languages at a very high level.
What makes authorised translation legally valid?
When an authorised translator translates a document, they confirm with their signature and stamp that the translation is accurate and complete. This means that the translator assumes professional responsibility for the translation’s accuracy. An authorised translation is often delivered with a certificate stating the translator’s name, authorisation number, language pair and date. This makes the translation legally valid and accepted by Swedish authorities and often internationally as well.
When is an authorised translation required?
Authorised translation is primarily required for personal documents such as certificates, diplomas, birth certificates and marriage certificates when these are to be used with Swedish authorities. For corporate documents such as annual reports, contracts or marketing materials, professional translation without authorisation is used instead, as legal certification is not required.