Sworn interpreter and translator

Do you need a sworn interpreter?

What documents to bring?

Can I send the original documents by mail?

Is a sworn interpreter a notary?

Sworn and "normal" interpreter – the difference

Governing law

How is a sworn translation created?

Exporting your translation

How much does it cost? Please check the sworn translation price list.

Do you need a sworn interpreter?

If you need to present your documents to a state authority, translation performed by a sworn interpreter is a must. Businesses may also require a sworn translation. When traveling abroad it is advisable to have sworn translations of all documents you may need to present to the authorities, future employer and other bodies.

What documents to bring?

You only need to bring the original documents to be translated. The sworn interpreter will translate them and permanently glue the translation to the original documents.

You may not like having your original document to be permanently bound with the translation. If that is the case, you need to visit a notary public first. Notary will create a notarized copy (copies) of your original documents. Then you can bring just the notarized copies to the sworn interpreter.

You do not need to bring any other documents to a sworn interpreter.

Can I send the original documents by mail?

Sure. You will receive your sworn translation by mail upon payment of the translation fee. It is advisable to send notarized copies of your original documents. Your nearest notary will create such copy for a small fee.

Is a sworn interpreter a notary?

Yes. Clients who bring original documents do not need to visit a notary public at all. Sworn interpreter has a power of notary public in this case. However, sworn interpreters have no power to create notarized copies in the same language.

Sworn and "normal" interpreter – the difference

• Sworn interpreters are select few translators who met stringent and tough requirements and who are trusted by courts. Normal freelance translators can translate without passing any specific exam. Sworn translators first need to pass a State Language Examination (or equivalent). Then they need to pass a much tougher Special Interpreting State Examination, and present a proven translation track record to the District Court. The Court then may, upon its discretion, appoint the translator as a sworn interpreter.

• Sworn interpreters have a so-called round seal. This seal features an official Czech Coat of Arms, interpreter's name and the text "tlumočník jazyka [language name]". Regular translators may not use such seals. Sworn translators prove their powers with the official appointment document signed by the District Court, and their identity with their ID card. Do not hesitate to ask for the proof if you suspect fraud.

• The "Fraudulent interpreting" law prescribes prison sentence for a sworn interpreter who delivered a poor, misleading translation. This law does not apply to regular translators.

Governing law

Sworn interpreters, unlike regular translators, must follow several legal regulations:

General regulations: Act 36/1967 Coll. as amended

Fees for state authorities: Notice 37/1967 Coll, amended by Notice 432/2002 Coll.

Using translation abroad: Apostille notice published in Coll. 45/1999

Fraudulent Interpreting: Act 140/1961, Section 175a as amended under number 134 in 57/2002 Coll.

How is a sworn translation created?

Your document is carefully translated. Then it is proofread twice, paying special attention to names, dates, numbers and other data. Holes for binding are punched in the left margin of the original document and the finished translation. Original document and the translation are bound with a red/white/blue string, the string is glued to the documents with a sealing type, and the official round seal of the sworn interpreter is stamped over the sealing tape together with the interpreter's signature. A short Interpreter's Clause is added at the end of the translation to testify that the translation is authentic. Your translation is then recorded in list of sworn translations kept by the sworn interpreter.

Exporting translation

Your Czech document translated into English by a sworn interpreter is perfectly valid for most purposes. Some authorities in certain countries, notably the United States, may require an apostille to be attached to your original Czech document. For documents originally in Czech, apostille is issued by the Czech Justice Ministry for judicial documents, and by the Czech Foreign Ministry for other documents.

Your English document translated into Czech by a sworn interpreter is perfectly valid for virtually all purposes. Very rarely, Czech authorities may require an apostille to be attached to your original English document. Most English-speaking countries have an authority which will provide the apostille for a small fee. Contact the embassy of the country in question to find out where to get the apostille. Example: Getting an Apostille for a New York birth certificate