Certified translation for authorities, courts and universities

A certified translation is a translation accompanied by a statement that it is complete and faithful to the original, signed and stamped so that an authority can rely on it. In Switzerland, civil registry offices, migration offices, courts, universities, notaries and employers regularly ask for one when a document is not written in the official language of the canton.

Depending on the authority, the translator's signature may also have to be legalised by a notary, or the translation may need an apostille to be used abroad. We tell you in advance exactly what is required so that your documents are accepted the first time.

Documents we translate most often

• Birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates, family books
• Diplomas, transcripts, references and recognition files
• Court judgments, divorce decrees and police records
• Contracts, articles of association and commercial register extracts
• Powers of attorney, wills and notarial deeds
• Driving licences, passports, residence permits and ID documents
• Medical reports, pay slips, tax returns and bank statements

Certified, sworn or notarised?

Terms differ from country to country. Some authorities ask for a ‘sworn’ translation, others for a translation with a notarised signature. We adapt the certification to the authority and the country where the document will be used, and add an apostille or legalisation if needed.

Paper original or digital copy

In most cases a good scan or photo is enough to start. If the authority wants the translation bound to the original or to a certified copy, we explain how to send it to us and return everything by registered post.