Sworn translation in Brussels
Certificates, diplomas, judgments, articles of association: sworn translations by sworn translators, accepted by the authorities, with legalisation and an urgent service if needed.
- Sworn translators listed in the national register
- Electronic signature, apostille and legalisation
- Urgent service for pressing procedures
- In Brussels since 2002
- Sworn translators
- 100+ languages
- Quote in 5 minutes
They trust us
What is a sworn translation?
A sworn translation (also called a certified translation) is produced and signed by a sworn translator listed in the National Register of judicial experts and sworn translators, interpreters and translator-interpreters. It has official value and is required by communes, courts, notaries, universities, authorities and embassies.
Since December 2022, sworn translators sign their translations electronically: for use in Belgium, no further legalisation is needed. For use abroad, the translation must be legalised by the FPS Foreign Affairs, which adds an apostille for countries that have signed the Hague Convention, or a legalisation completed by the embassy or consulate of the destination country.
We take care of all these steps for you, and offer an urgent service for pressing procedures: visa, marriage, registration, legal proceedings.
Sworn translation in Brussels: French or Dutch?
The 19 communes of the Brussels-Capital Region are bilingual: your commune handles your file in French or Dutch, depending on the language you have chosen. Brussels courts are also organised in two language divisions. The first question to ask before ordering a sworn translation is therefore: in which language does the authority expect the document?
| Authority in Brussels | Language of the sworn translation |
|---|---|
| Brussels commune (civil status, population, foreigners) | French or Dutch, depending on the language of your file |
| Brussels courts and notaries | The language of the proceedings or the deed (French or Dutch) |
| FPS and federal authorities | French or Dutch, depending on your language of contact |
| Universities and university colleges | The language of the institution; some also accept English |
| Foreign embassy or consulate in Brussels | Often the language of the country concerned: check with the embassy |
Our sworn translators translate into French, Dutch, German and English, and from over 100 languages. If in doubt, send us the authority’s request: we check the language with you before translating.
Documents we translate as sworn translations
Birth certificate
Marriage, nationality, residence, registration with the commune.
See the page →Civil statusMarriage certificate
Marriage abroad, family reunification, divorce.
See the page →StudiesDiploma and transcript
Recognition, enrolment, employment, studies abroad.
See the page →ProceduresDriving licence
Exchanging a foreign licence for a Belgian one.
See the page →JusticeJudgment and court decision
Divorce, custody, proceedings, enforcement abroad.
See the page →JusticeCriminal record extract
Job, visa, studies or assignment abroad.
See the page →CompaniesArticles of association
Subsidiary, bank, notary, public tenders.
See the page →AbroadApostille and legalisation
For a document to be used abroad.
See apostille →And also: death certificates, medical documents, visa documents, powers of attorney… Just send us your document: we tell you whether it needs a sworn translation.
Sworn translators by language
Sworn Romanian translator
Romanian certificates, criminal record, diplomas.
See the page →ArabicSworn Arabic translator
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Middle East.
See the page →SpanishSworn Spanish translator
Spain and Latin America.
See the page →PolishSworn Polish translator
Polish certificates, criminal record, diplomas.
See the page →ItalianSworn Italian translator
Italian certificates, criminal record, diplomas.
See the page →PortugueseSworn Portuguese translator
Portugal, Brazil, Portuguese-speaking Africa.
See the page →TurkishSworn Turkish translator
Civil status, criminal records, divorce judgments.
See the page →RussianSworn Russian translator
Russia, Ukraine and the former USSR.
See the page →GermanSworn German translator
Germany, Austria, Switzerland.
See the page →EnglishSworn English translator
United Kingdom, United States, Canada.
See the page →100+ languagesAll our languages
Every combination, in both directions.
See the languages →Sworn translation without the hassle
Sworn translators
Translations signed by sworn translators, accepted by the authorities.
Legalisation included on request
We handle the procedures with the FPS Foreign Affairs and the embassy.
Urgent service
For pressing procedures, tell us your deadline: we confirm what is possible.
No need to travel
Send your documents by email, receive the translation by email and the original by post.
How to get your sworn translation
Your document
Send a clear scan by email, form or WhatsApp, and tell us the destination country.
Quote
Fixed price and deadline confirmed within 5 minutes, legalisation included if needed.
Sworn translation
Translation and signature by a sworn translator, then legalisation if requested.
Delivery
By email and by post, or for collection in Brussels.
Deadline, price and delivery of your sworn translation
- Deadline: usually within 24 hours for a standard document (birth certificate, diploma, criminal record). An urgent service is possible depending on the language.
- Fixed price: send a photo or scan, you receive a firm price before you order. The price depends on the language, the length and the deadline, not on your commune.
- Delivery: translation as a PDF with the qualified electronic signature of the sworn translator, valid in Belgium without further legalisation. A signed paper copy can be sent to you by post if the authority requires it.
- Apostille: for use abroad, we handle the application for the apostille or legalisation with the FPS Foreign Affairs.
For an estimate, see also: how much does a sworn translation cost?
Where is your sworn translation valid?
In Belgium, a sworn translation signed electronically by a translator listed in the national register of the FPS Justice needs no further legalisation: communes, courts, notaries, universities and authorities accept it as it is.
In another European Union country, EU Regulation 2016/1191 provides that, for certain public documents (birth, marriage, nationality, criminal record…), a certified translation made by a qualified person in one Member State must be accepted in the other Member States, without an apostille. Some organisations nevertheless have their own requirements: check them before ordering.
Outside the European Union, the translation usually needs an apostille, or a legalisation followed by the embassy of the destination country. See our apostille page.
These pages may help
How much does a sworn translation cost?
What affects the price of a sworn translation.
See prices →UrgentUrgent translation
A translation within very short deadlines.
See urgent translation →Contracts · judgmentsLegal translation
Contracts, proceedings and legal documents.
See legal translation →QuoteRequest a quote
Send your document and get a fixed price.
Request a quote →Sworn translation in Brussels and throughout Belgium
Our office is in Brussels, on Avenue Louise, but our sworn translations are valid throughout the country and can be ordered entirely online. We work in particular for clients in Liège, Verviers, Arlon and across Wallonia, Flanders and the German-speaking Community.
An accurate, free, no-obligation quote
We support clients worldwide and in every language. Describe what you need and attach your document: a project manager will reply with the price and turnaround time.
- Fast reply, 7 days a week
- Fixed price, no hidden costs
- Your files remain confidential
Frequently asked questions about sworn translation
What is the difference between a sworn, certified and official translation?
In Belgium, the term is sworn translation: it is produced and signed by a sworn translator. In practice, “certified” and “official” translation refer to the same thing.
Who legalises a sworn translation in Belgium?
Since December 2022, the sworn translator signs the translation electronically, which is enough for use in Belgium. For use abroad, the FPS Foreign Affairs then legalises it or adds an apostille, sometimes followed by the embassy of the destination country.
Do I need an apostille?
For countries that have signed the Hague Convention, the FPS Foreign Affairs issues an apostille. For other countries, a legalisation by the embassy or consulate is often required. We tell you the right procedure for your country.
Do you offer an urgent service?
Yes. Tell us your deadline in your request: a project manager confirms what is possible, including for legalisation.
Do I need to send the original?
Usually a clear scan is enough for the translation. For some legalisations, the original or a copy may be requested: we specify this in the quote.
How much does a sworn translation cost?
The price depends on the document, the language, the deadline and any legalisation. You receive a free quote with a fixed price within 5 minutes.
Is a sworn translation accepted by the commune?
Yes. Sworn translations are accepted by communes, courts, notaries and authorities in Belgium.
Where can I find a sworn translator in Brussels?
There is no need to travel: send your document by email or WhatsApp. Our sworn translators are listed in the national register of the FPS Justice and you receive the electronically signed translation, usually within 24 hours.
Can you translate into Dutch for a Brussels commune?
Yes. If your file is handled in Dutch at the commune, we translate your document into Dutch, from French, English or over 100 other languages.
Is a sworn translator the same as a certified translator?
In Belgium, the official term is “sworn translator” (traducteur juré in French, beëdigd vertaler in Dutch). In both cases, it is a translator who has taken an oath and whose translation has official value.
An official document to translate?
Send it to us: a project manager replies within 5 minutes with a fixed price, a deadline and the right legalisation procedure.