Sworn Translations
October 6th, 2009 // 5:41 pm @ admin
A sworn translation is required when you need to certify that the contents of the translated document match the original text. A sworn translation has the same legal value as the original document.
When a translation is sworn, the translator officially swears before a notary or the Italian courts as to the documents accuracy and fidelity. Under Italian law, translators providing sworn translations carry some heavy responsibilities, including criminal liability in the event of inaccuracies and incorrect information resulting from mistranslations.
Which documents might need a sworn translation?
- certificates of registration with the Chamber of Commerce
- deeds of incorporation
- deeds of sale for the purchase or sale of Italian property/real estate
- certificates of ownership
- divorce certificates
- marriage certificates
- death certificates, inheritance documents etc
- school and university diplomas
- driving licences
- wills
- rulings
How is a translation “sworn”?
In the case of court sworn documents, the translator must:
a) translate the document
b) take the original and the translation to the local Court of Justice (in my case that is Salò or the Court of Brescia). There are sometimes long queues, meaning the swearing of a one page document can sometimes take all morning.
c) sign an oath attesting to the accuracy and fidelity of the translation
d) present a “marca da bollo” revenue stamp of €14.62 for each four pages translated (with some exceptions that are exempt)
In some cases, the translation is for a legal document, which is sworn before a notary and the oath is part of both the original document and its legal translation. An example would be the deed of sale on property in Italy; in this case, the translator would need to be present at the signing (”il rogito notarile”) to interpret for the parties, and sign the deeds along with buyer, seller, notary and witnesses. In addition to the time spent translating the documents, the actual signing process before the notary usually takes at least two or three hours as all documents must be read aloud in both Italian and English, and the documents signed in front of witnesses.
How much does it cost and how long will it take?
My prices for court-sworn translations are as follows (please note that normal per word or per page translation rates still apply: these costs are in addition to standard translation rates, and prices shown do not include statutory VAT of 20%):
Translation cost +
Disbursements (revenue stamps, €16.42 each four pages)
€90 supplement for the first document
€50 supplement for each document thereafter, to be sworn at the same session.
For notarial documents and interpreting at the notary’s offices, with interpreter’s signature swearing authenticity of the translation, as required for public deeds such as atti di compravendita, wills, deeds of incorporation, mortgage deeds etc, my prices are as follows:
Translation cost +
Interpreting fee of €50 per hour
Signature (sworn) supplement of €50 per document
How long does it take?
Once the document has been translated, a few days might be necessary for the translation to be sworn in court as the relevant offices are only open on certain days. Notary appointments must be agreed with the notary and translator, and usually take at least two or three hours. For translation, allow around one working day for each 2000 words, unless you have agreed a burst rate for urgent translations.
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