When is an Official Translation Required in Spain or the UK?

Published at January 12, 2024

Official (sworn) translations are the translations of documents which need to serve as legally valid instruments. The purpose of an official translation is to confer the translated document the same legal value as the original document by providing it with international legal validity. These official translations can only be done by official (sworn) translators, as they are qualified legal translators.

There are a lot of situations when official translations into Spanish are required:

Getting married in Spain

  • Official translation of the birth certificate in English
  • Official translation of the non-impediment to marriage certificate in English
  • Official translation of the decree absolute in English if the bride and/or groom are divorced
  • Official translation of the death certificate in English if the bride and/or groom are widowed
  • Official translation of the English letter issued by the council to confirm the address in the UK

Applying for a Spanish Visa

  • Official translation of the ACRO certificate in English.
  • Official translation of the medical certificate in English.
  • Official translation of the marriage certificate in English (for the application of married couples)
  • Official translation of the birth certificate in English (for the application of children)
  • Official translation of the notarised letter in English (for the application of students)
  • Official translation of the employment letter in English (for the application of students)

Dealing with Spanish probate

  • Official translation of the death certificate in English
  • Official translation of the grant of probate and will in English

Dealing with international divorce and children matters in Spain

  • Official translation of the decree absolute in English
  • Official translation of the financial remedy order in English

Setting up a Company in Spain

  • Official translation of deed of incorporation, articles, and memorandum of association in English
  • Official translation of the certificate of good standing

Keeping Spanish nationality having applied for British nationality

  • Official translation of the naturalisation certificate in English

Likewise, there are a lot of situations when official translations into English are required:

Applying for British nationality having been born in Spain

  • Official translation of the birth certificate in Spanish
  • Official translation of the family book (official records) in Spanish

Remarrying in the UK having divorced in Spain

  • Official translation of the divorce judgment in Spanish
  • Official translation of the marriage certificate in Spanish (if there is one)

Dealing with probate in the UK if the deceased passed away in Spain

  • Official translation of the death certificate in Spanish
  • Official translation of the will in Spanish (if there is one)

Enforcing a Spanish judgement in the UK

  • Official translation of the Spanish judgement if the debtor lives in the UK

About the Author

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Dalila SegadorHead of Official Translations

T: (+34) 951 55 22 54

E: info@nockolds.es

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Nockolds Lawyers SpainCalle Goya 11,
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Nockolds Lawyers Spain S.L. is a Spanish incorporated entity with Spanish Identification Number (NIF) B88495577; with place of business at C/ Goya 11 – 29680 Estepona (Málaga). Nockolds Lawyers Spain S.L. is an affiliated business of Nockolds Solicitors Limited. Spanish Lawyers (abogados) are regulated in their professional practice by the General Rules for Lawyers and the Spanish Lawyers Code of Conduct. They are also subject to local bar association provisions. These provisions are available via any of the Spanish Bar Associations. Nockolds Lawyers Spain S.L. is a subsidiary company of Nockolds Solicitors Limited, and it is not authorised or regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority of England & Wales.
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