Sworn translation of birth certificates
The birth certificate is the most frequently translated document: it is required for nationality, family reunification, marriage, adoption and many procedures abroad.
When you need it
- Spanish nationality, by residence or by option (for children and grandchildren of Spaniards, among others).
- Family reunification and residence cards for family members.
- Marriage file to get married in Spain or to register a marriage.
- Registering a birth that took place abroad with the Civil Registry (Registro Civil).
- Adoption, pensions, inheritance and procedures abroad with a Spanish certificate.
Before translating it: apostille or legalisation
If the certificate is issued by a country outside the European Union, it normally needs the Hague apostille or, if the country is not party to the Convention, consular legalisation. This is done in the issuing country and before the translation, so that we translate the apostille too.
Some authorities require the certificate to be recent (for example, less than three or six months old). Check this before you request it.
You may not need a translation
Between European Union countries, Regulation (EU) 2016/1191 abolishes the apostille and lets you request the certificate with a multilingual standard form that, in many cases, avoids the need for a translation. Countries party to the 1976 Vienna Convention also issue multilingual certificates. If your certificate comes from one of them, request it in that format and ask us: we will tell you whether you need it translated.
Spanish certificates for use abroad
If you are going to use a Spanish certificate outside Spain, ask the Civil Registry for the full certificate (certificación literal), or the multilingual one if it is accepted. We translate it into the language of the destination country and tell you whether it needs an apostille.
How much does it cost?
Price per language for a one-page document (for example, a certificate with its apostille), translated into or from Spanish, VAT not included:
| Language | One page, from | Per word |
|---|---|---|
| English | €25 | €0.10 |
| French | €25 | €0.10 |
| German | €60 | €0.10 |
| Italian | €70 | €0.10 |
| Portuguese | €70 | €0.10 |
| Romanian | €60 | €0.13 |
| Arabic | €60 | €0.13 |
| Russian | €90 | €0.13 |
Longer documents are priced per word: €0.10 for the most common languages (English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese), €0.13 for most others (Romanian, Russian, Arabic, Chinese, Polish…) and €0.18 for languages with few sworn translators, always subject to the minimum shown in the table. For example, a 750-word document from English into Spanish costs €75 + VAT.
Guide prices excluding VAT. The final price is the one in your quote, which you can calculate instantly. All rates →
Frequently asked questions
Can I send a scan of the certificate?
Yes. A scanned copy or a legible photo of all the pages, including the apostille, is enough. We deliver the sworn translation as an e-signed PDF and, if you need it on paper, we send it by courier.
Does the apostille need to be translated too?
Yes. The sworn translation must cover the whole document, including stamps, marginal notes and the apostille. It is already included in our one-page price.
How long does it take?
A certificate is normally delivered in one or two working days. If you are in a hurry, choose urgent delivery in the calculator.
Is it valid for any authority?
A sworn translation into Spanish is valid before any authority in Spain. For other countries, tell us where you will submit it and we will check what they require.