When you order a sworn translation (traducción jurada) into Spanish through us, every page carries the seal and signature of a MAEC-appointed sworn translator. You can check it with the steps below. Standard certificates take 24–48 hours, from €29 per certificate. These are starting prices. For your final price, send your details through the quote form. We email you a written quotation, and work starts only after you approve it. Upload a photo to get a fixed quote for your sworn translation.
In this guide
- Who appoints sworn translators in Spain, and why does it matter?
- How do I check a translator on the MAEC list?
- What should I match on the translator's seal?
- How do I verify a sworn translation that arrived as a signed PDF?
- What are the warning signs of a fake sworn translation?
- What if the MAEC search does not work?
- Can a sworn translator live outside Spain?
- Are Catalan, Basque and Galician translators on a different list?
- What should I tick off before I pay or file?
Want to know who translates your documents? Every translator we work with is a MAEC-appointed sworn translator on the official register. Each page they deliver carries their seal and signature, so you can run these checks yourself. See our sworn translators.
Who appoints sworn translators in Spain, and why does it matter?
Sworn translators are appointed by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC), through its Office of Language Interpretation (OIL). The rules sit in Real Decreto 724/2020. Every translator receives a unique registration number. Their translations have official character, so you can check any translator against the Ministry's list before you file.
In Spanish, a sworn translator is a traductor jurado. Article 17 of Real Decreto 724/2020 gives their translations official character. Article 13 creates the register and its numbers. Under article 14, the OIL publishes the list of translators and languages online. That list is your tool.
Why it matters: an Extranjería sworn translation by someone not on the list can lead to a correction notice (requerimiento). You then have 10 working days (días hábiles) to fix your file, under Ley 39/2015, art. 68.
How do I check a translator on the MAEC list?
Open the official MAEC search, Buscador-STIJ, on the exteriores.gob.es website. Type the translator's surname and choose the language. Then compare the result with the seal: the name, the language pair and the registration number must all match. If anything differs, ask the translator before you file.
This search is Spain's official sworn translator register, the lista de traductores jurados MAEC. Every appointed translator is on it.
How to check a sworn translator on the MAEC list, step by step:
- Open the official MAEC search (Buscador-STIJ).
- Enter the surname exactly as it appears on the seal.
- Choose the language shown on the seal, for example inglés for English.
- Compare the full name with the seal or text box.
- Compare the language. It must match your document's language.
- Compare the registration number on the seal with the record.
- If contact details are listed, compare them with the person you paid.
You can filter by name, language, province and country, among other fields. The page and language names are in Spanish.
Example: Grace, a Nigerian living in Valencia, needs her birth certificate translated for her nationality file. Her sworn translation arrives with the translator's seal. She searches the surname, picks inglés, and the record matches the number on the seal. Then she files it.
Tip: Search by surname, not full name. Spanish names often have two surnames, and one may be missing on the seal.
Common mistake: Checking only that a name exists. A translator appointed for French cannot certify a translation from English. The language pair matters as much as the name.
What should I match on the translator's seal?
Match three items on the seal: the translator's full name, the language or languages they are appointed for, and their registration number. Orden AEC/2125/2014 says the seal must show these, in Spanish only. The signed certification text and a stamped copy of your original must also be there.
So what should the stamp look like (¿qué debe llevar el sello de un traductor jurado?)? A paper sworn translation contains:
| Item | What you should see | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Seal | Full name, language(s), registration number, in Spanish | Orden AEC/2125/2014 art. 8.2; RD 724/2020 art. 18.2 |
| Certification text | A fixed formula ending in "traducción fiel y completa" | Orden AEC/2125/2014 art. 8.4, Annex II |
| Signature | The translator's handwritten signature | RD 724/2020 art. 18.1 |
| Copy of your original | Attached, stamped and dated on every page | Orden AEC/2125/2014 art. 8.5; RD 724/2020 art. 18.5 |
The formula reads "certifica que la que antecede es traducción fiel y completa": the translator certifies a faithful and complete translation.
Some practitioners report OIL guidance on two points. The seal should be rectangular, with no phone number or email. The certification should sit with the translation text, never on a separate sheet. Treat these as guidance, not as rules.
Tip: Count the pages. If your birth certificate has two pages plus an apostille, the attached copy should show all of them, each stamped. A birth certificate sworn translation always includes the apostille page.
How do I verify a sworn translation that arrived as a signed PDF?
Since 8 March 2025, a sworn translation can be signed with a qualified electronic certificate. Instead of an ink seal, it has a text box with the translator's name, language pair and number. Upload the PDF to VALIDe, the Spanish government validation service, to check that the signature is valid.
Orden AUC/213/2025 sets the rules. Three quick checks:
- Open VALIDe and use "Validar Firma" to verify the signature on the translation.
- Confirm the signer is the person named in the text box.
- Look up that name and number in Buscador-STIJ, as above.
The signature covers the whole file, including the copy of your original. A printout does not carry a verifiable signature. The full detail is in our guide: can a sworn translation be digital?
What are the warning signs of a fake sworn translation?
Watch for five warning signs. The name is not on the MAEC list. The seal's language does not match your document. The seal has no number. The certification formula or the stamped copy of your original is missing. Or an e-signed PDF fails VALIDe.
Red flags to look for:
- Name not found in Buscador-STIJ, even with different spellings.
- Wrong language pair, for example a French appointment on an English document.
- No registration number on the seal or text box.
- No certification formula, or the formula on a loose sheet.
- No copy of your original attached, or pages without a stamp.
- A scanned stamp image on a PDF instead of a real electronic signature.
- An "agency stamp" only, with no individual translator named.
Why was my sworn translation rejected? Often for one of these reasons, or for a name that differs from the passport. If none of these flags appear and the register check matched, you can file with confidence. A police clearance certificate sworn translation is a common case.
Common mistake: Trusting a translation because it "looks official". A logo or a notary stamp does not make a translation sworn in Spain. Only a MAEC appointment does.
Prefer to have the checks done for you? Before you pay, we send the fixed price and delivery date. You approve a draft of names, dates and places before the seal goes on. See how to get a sworn translation for Spain.
What if the MAEC search does not work?
The Buscador-STIJ page sometimes times out. Try again later, ideally on a computer. If it still fails, write to the Office of Language Interpretation at interpretes.jurados@maec.es. Give the translator's name, language and number, and ask whether they hold the title.
You can also start from the MAEC sworn translators page, which links to the search. Or ask the translator for a photo of their appointment details.
Can a sworn translator live outside Spain?
Yes. Spanish law does not require sworn translators to live in Spain. Real Decreto 724/2020 requires Spanish, EU, EEA or Swiss nationality, not residence. So a translator living in another country can still hold a valid MAEC appointment. Check them on the list exactly as you would check anyone else.
This is common for English. An English to Spanish sworn translation can be done from a scan, wherever you or the translator are.
It matters in India too. The Spanish Embassy in New Delhi says sworn translations cannot be done in India. See Indian documents sworn translation for Spain.
A UK "certified translation" is not a Spanish sworn translation. See UK documents sworn translation for Spain and sworn vs certified translation.
Are Catalan, Basque and Galician translators on a different list?
Yes. Catalonia, the Basque Country and Galicia appoint their own sworn translators for their co-official languages: Catalan, Basque and Galician. The MAEC list covers only translators appointed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If your document will be used in one of those languages, check the regional government's own list.
For most readers this does not apply. Visa, Extranjería and nationality files are usually filed in Spanish, so you need a MAEC sworn translator into Spanish. For a Spain visa sworn translation, check your consulate's checklist for the exact wording.
What should I tick off before I pay or file?
Use this checklist twice: before you pay, and again when the translation arrives. It covers the register entry, the seal, the certification, the stamped copy, the apostille and your names. If every box is ticked, your translator is verified and the translation has the parts Spanish offices expect.
- The translator's name appears in Buscador-STIJ.
- The language on the record matches your document's language.
- The registration number on the seal or text box matches.
- The certification formula sits with the translation.
- A copy of your original is attached and stamped on every page.
- Any apostille page is translated too.
- Names and dates match your passport.
- For a PDF, the signature passes VALIDe.
Ordering for clients? Law firms and gestorías can use our sworn translation service for law firms and gestorías, where every translator is MAEC-appointed.
Take extra care with a degree certificate sworn translation and with Spanish nationality sworn translation files.
If the apostille is not on yet, get it first. See apostille and sworn translation. Prices for each document are in the full price table.
Frequently asked questions
Is my sworn translator on the Ministry list?
Search Buscador-STIJ by surname and language. If the name, language and number all match the seal, yes, the translator is on the official list.
Can I check a sworn translator's number in Spain directly?
Not reliably. Search by surname and language, then compare the number shown with the seal. That route always works.
Is a translator's number the same as a licence?
Not exactly. The number is the translator's unique registration number in the MAEC register, under article 13 of RD 724/2020. The title does not make them civil servants, and it creates no employment link with the Administration.
Can a sworn translator's appointment be withdrawn?
RD 724/2020 sets out no withdrawal procedure. Ask the Office of Language Interpretation at interpretes.jurados@maec.es. Do not rely on the list to show whether a translator is suspended.
Does the list show if a translator is still active?
Not always. Article 14 of RD 724/2020 says contact details and active status appear only if the translator reports them. A missing status is not, on its own, a warning sign.
How do I find a sworn translator for my language?
Search Buscador-STIJ by language and province. For English or French you will find many. For rare languages there may be few or none; Hindi, Punjabi and Nepali had none on the register as of August 2026.
What if my translation fails a check?
Do not file it. Ask the translator to correct it. If we coordinated it, a rejection on formal grounds means a free, prioritised redo; see how a free re-issue works.
Sources: RD 724/2020 (BOE) · Orden AEC/2125/2014 (BOE) · Orden AUC/213/2025 (BOE) · VALIDe · MAEC sworn translators and interpreters · MAEC Buscador-STIJ. Last checked: 1 October 2026.
Want a sworn translation from a MAEC-appointed translator?
Send a scan or photo of every page, including any apostille. Your quote shows the fixed price and the delivery date. Every page you receive carries the translator's seal, so you can check it on the MAEC list. Most standard certificates are ready in 24–48 hours.
What you can count on when you order from us
- A translator you can check. Every translator we work with is MAEC-appointed, on the official register and holds every authorisation Spain requires. Run the steps above on the seal of any translation we deliver.
- A redo if the office refuses it. Free, prioritised re-issue if rejected on formal grounds. Read how a free re-issue works.
- Your files are deleted. We delete them within 7 days of delivery; see our privacy policy.
- A deadline soon? Our urgent sworn translation service handles citas and correction notices.
What clients say
4.9/5.0 from 18,000+ reviews
“I needed my birth certificate translated for my Spanish nationality paperwork and wasn't really sure where to start. I sent an enquiry first, and the team explained the process without making it complicated. The communication was good, and I felt more confident about getting the documents ready.”
“We had to translate our marriage certificate for a family reunification procedure. I was worried about getting the paperwork wrong, so I had quite a few questions. The team was patient and explained the translation process clearly. That was genuinely helpful during an already stressful time.”
“My nationality application involved documents from my home country, and I wasn't sure how to arrange the translations. I reached out with my questions and received a clear explanation of the process. It saved me from spending more time guessing what to do next.”
“We needed corporate documents translated into Spanish for a business procedure. The terminology and consistency mattered to us, so we wanted a service that understood the formal nature of the documents. Communication was professional, and the process was well organised.”
“Muy buen servicio. I needed an English-to-Spanish sworn translation for official paperwork and had a few doubts before ordering. They answered my questions clearly, and the whole process was easier than I expected.”
“Muchas gracias por la ayuda 😊 I needed my marriage certificate translated for a family application here in Spain. Communication was good and the steps were easy to understand.”
“Hola, thank you for the translation. I needed a French document translated into Spanish for an administrative procedure. Everything was explained clearly, and communication was easy from the start.”
“Mere citizenship paperwork ke liye documents Spanish mein translate karwane the. I had a few questions before placing the order, and the team explained the process properly. Kaafi help mili, especially because I was already managing a lot of paperwork.”
What happens next
- 1Our fixed quote gives the total and the delivery date.
- 2You pay, then approve a draft of names, dates and places.
- 3The signed PDF reaches your inbox, and a paper copy can follow by courier when an office wants one.
About this guide: Written by our editorial team and checked against official sources. We coordinate translations by MAEC-appointed sworn translators and are not affiliated with any authority. We only translate. We never sell appointments. Read our editorial policy and more guides on sworn translation in Spain.