Do I need a translator at a notary public’s office in Spain?
If you are asking yourself if you need a translator at a notary’s office when signing documents, you probably know the answer already. It’s always a good idea to work with an in-person oral translator, also known as an interpreter, as they help you to understand exactly what is being said and what is happening. When signing papers, understanding is key.
However, not all translators are the same. When dealing with the courts, notaries or other legal matters; you may be asked to hire a traductor jurado (a “sworn” translator). So, who exactly should you hire to translate in these cases?
If told by a person in authority to hire a sworn translator, then you clearly need to hire a sworn translator. A sworn translator is a translator who has fulfilled certain requirements established by the Spanish government in order to act in an official capacity as a translator. These translators are often needed in trials, there are fewer of them and, thusly, they tend to be more expensive.
However, there are cases when it is not necessary to hire a sworn translator, either because the law doesn’t require it or there aren’t any sworn translators that work in the languages needed. In this case, a professional translator tends to work just as well.
So, what translator to hire? Always make sure in advance what translator you need. If told to hire a sworn translator, then it is clear that you need to hire an accredited Spanish sworn translator. You will have to choose a translator from the pool of accredited translators of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs or by hiring an agency that works with them. However, if you are told that any professional translator would do, then you have a much wider pool to chose from, both as far as experience and expertise, as well as rates.
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