Legal validation and risk mitigation.
Sworn translations.
A sworn translation is a translation that has been officially declared legally valid by a sworn translator. In the Netherlands, this may only be carried out by a translator who is registered in the Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (Rbtv).
Standard translations are not legally valid. Therefore, during official procedures, a sworn translation may be explicitly requested to ensure that the content is legally accurate and can be accepted by the authorities.
In a signed statement, the sworn translator confirms that the translation is complete and accurate. Together, the translation, the statement and the source document comprise the official sworn translation.
Mandatory sworn translations.
When a document needs to be used for legal purposes, a sworn translation is often required. In the Netherlands, sworn translations may only be carried out by translators who are registered in the Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (Rbtv). These are the only translators who are authorised to officially certify a translation.
A sworn translation consists of the translated text, a statement confirming that the translation is complete and accurate, and the source document. These items are bound together, stamped and signed by the sworn translator.
Sworn translations are required for procedures involving municipal authorities, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, courts, solicitors, banks, insurance companies and educational institutions, for example. We ensure that your translation fully complies with the legal requirements.
Official procedure.
The sworn translator translates the text based on the original document or a scanned copy. The translation is prepared thoroughly and meticulously, without any additional content or interpretation.
An official statement is then added, confirming that the translation is complete and accurate. This statement is signed and stamped, including the Rbtv registration number of the sworn translator.
The translation and the source document are bound together to collectively form a legally valid sworn translation that can be accepted by official authorities.
AI⁺ and legal responsibility.
For official translations, the responsibility rests with the human translator. Automated systems or AI tools cannot certify documents as legally valid. Sworn translators always bear full legal responsibility for the content of their translations.
In some cases, AI⁺ can be used to support the translation process, for example by performing terminology checks or improving efficiency. However, the sworn translator is always responsible for personally checking, correcting and certifying the entire text.
If you have an existing translation that has been created using AI, we will assess whether it is suitable for validation or whether a new sworn translation is necessary.
Apostille and international validity.
When a sworn translation is used outside of the Netherlands, additional verification may be required. In many cases, this will be an apostille issued by the court.
An apostille officially confirms that the sworn translator is correctly registered in the Rbtv register. In some countries, this is sufficient for international recognition.
In other situations, a more extensive legalisation procedure involving multiple authorities is required. The requirements vary depending on the country and the authority. We will advise you beforehand on the type of verification required and guide you through the necessary steps.
Application and handling.
You send us a scanned copy of the document and tell us what it will be used for. We then assess whether a certified translation and any additional verification are required.
You will receive a quote with a transparent cost breakdown and a realistic delivery time. Once you have approved the quote, the translation will be carried out by a sworn translator with the appropriate language combination and qualifications.
You will receive the official sworn translation within the agreed time frame. If necessary, we will inform you about the next steps for an apostille or legalisation.
Confidence through expertise.
Certified translations require legal accuracy, proper formalities and full accountability. Errors or ambiguities can lead to delays or rejection by official bodies.
Interlingo works exclusively with authorised sworn translators and employs a strict controlled process. Every translation is prepared in accordance with the applicable legal requirements and administrative standards.
This ensures that you receive a translation that is legally correct, officially recognised by the relevant authority and can be used without any risk in national or international procedures. Every document is prepared in accordance with the applicable legal and administrative standards, so that acceptance is not subject to dispute.