Certified vs Sworn Translation: What Receiving Authorities Actually Require
English-speaking systems mostly use certified translation, while civil-law countries appoint sworn translators before a court. Asking for the wrong one wastes a full cycle, because the receiving office will not read the file at all.
In short
A certified translation carries a signed statement of accuracy from the translator or agency and is standard for the UK, Australia, the US, Canada and most Thai government use. A sworn translation is issued by a translator sworn in before a court in countries such as France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Poland, and carries the sworn translator's personal seal.
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | Certified translation | Sworn translation |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | A professional translator or agency signing a statement of accuracy | A translator sworn before a court or ministry in the destination country |
| Typical destinations | UK, Australia, US, Canada, Thai agencies | France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Poland, Brazil |
| Court status | No inherent legal standing, accepted by practice | Carries legal standing in the issuing jurisdiction |
| Turnaround | Usually 2-5 working days | Longer, depends on the sworn translator's calendar |
| Can it be legalised afterwards | Yes, via MFA and the embassy | Often unnecessary within the issuing country |
| Cost driver | Word count and document type | Sworn translator tariff, often fixed per page |
| Digital delivery | Signed PDF widely accepted | Many courts still require a wet seal |
| Risk if you choose wrong | Rejected by civil-law registries | Overspending where a certified file was enough |
Choose Certified translation when
- Visa or immigration filings in the UK, Australia, Canada or the US
- University admission where the school asks for a certified English translation
- Thai government submissions that require an accuracy statement
Choose Sworn translation when
- Court filings, notarial deeds or civil registry records in continental Europe
- The instructions use the words traducción jurada, traduction assermentée or beeidigte Übersetzung
- A foreign lawyer has asked for a translation with a sworn translator's seal
Frequently asked questions
- Is a notarised translation a third category?
- Yes. Notarisation attests the translator's signature, not the accuracy of the text, and it is often added on top of a certified translation when a bank or registry asks for it.
- Can you supply sworn translations for Europe?
- We coordinate with sworn translators in the destination jurisdiction and handle the Thai-side documents, legalisation and courier so the file arrives complete.
- Which one do Thai immigration offices accept?
- A certified translation with the translator's statement is the normal standard, and some offices additionally ask for MFA legalisation of the Thai text.
- How do I check before ordering?
- Send the receiving authority's checklist to LINE @NAATI. We map the wording to the correct product and quote only what the file needs.
Not sure which route your document needs?
Send scans and the receiving authority's checklist on LINE @NYC168 or by email, and our team will confirm the correct route and a written quote before any work starts.