In the context of translations, we also provide additional services such as sworn certification and authentication.
How is translation certified?
After translating the document, a translator would make a sworn declaration that the original document is translated loyally, correctly and to the best of the translator’s knowledge, in front of an authorised official. In Portugal, the Decree-law no. 237/2001 of the 30th of August, authorises this certification to be done by a notary, lawyer or solicitor.
What you (or we, on your behalf) do next depends on the country where you are planning to use the translation. There are three possibilities here:
- The translation of the document issued in another country is going to be used in Portugal
In this case, the certification of the translation certified by the notary, lawyer or solicitor is enough for the translation to be recognised by Portuguese authorities, thus having and so, for the translated document to havelegal effect in Portugal.
- The translation of the document issued in Portugal is going to be used in one of the countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention.
In this case, the certification of the translation requires an apostille.
We can get this apostille for you with the Attorney General of the Republic (the body authorised to provide apostilles for all documents issued in Portugal by the Decree-Law no. 86/2009 of the 3rd of April) after translating the document and certifying the translation. You will receive the translated document ready to be presented to the authorities at your destination.
- The translation of the document issued in Portugal is going to be used in a country that is not a party of the Hague Apostille Convention.
In this case, note that some of these countries require additional legalisation (a corresponding stamp that substitutes the apostille for legal purposes). Such a stamp is obtained from the embassy/consulate of the destination country in Portugal. We can also help you with obtaining this stamp.
In short, if you need a certified translation:
- tell us in which country the documents were issued and
- in which country you need to present them,
and we’ll take care of the rest for you.