Sworn and legalised translations

Sworn translator in Belgium

Sworn translator Steffie Vandelacluze provides sworn and legalised translations for the following language combinations:

• Dutch to Spanish and Spanish to Dutch

• English to Spanish and Spanish to English

• Dutch to English and English to Dutch

• Dutch to Korean and Korean to Dutch

• French to Korean and Korean to French

• English to Korean and Korean to English

• Spanish to Korean and Korean to Spanish

If you need a sworn translation in other language combinations, we are happy to bring you in contact with a colleague who is listed in the National Register of Translators and Interpreters.

When do you need a sworn translation, legalisation and apostille?

Different procedures may be necessary to use or submit an official document in another country. For example, a sworn translation, legalisation, or apostille may be requested. It is important to know that a distinction is made between the document in the source language and its sworn translation. Legalisation and/or an apostille may be required for both the document in the source language and the sworn translation. This depends on the country where the document in the source language was issued and the country where you would like to submit the official translation.

Documents for use in Belgium

Documents in the source language

In order to use official documents in Belgium, it is in most cases necessary that the documents include a legalisation or an apostille. This is often required for documents issued in a country outside the EU. You should check this with the receiving agency. If a legalisation or an apostille is required, this must be done before the document is translated. The document in the source language, together with the legalisation or apostille, is then a complete document. The sworn translator makes a sworn translation of this complete document (i.e., a sworn translation of the document in the source language and a sworn translation of the legalisation or apostille, if applicable).

Translations

Sworn translations to use or submit in Belgium do not require additional legalisation or an apostille. The official stamp of the sworn translator counts as certification and legalisation.

Documents for use outside Belgium

Documents in the source language

Documents issued in Belgium that you would like to submit abroad may require a legalisation or an apostille. You should check this with the receiving agency. If a legalisation or an apostille is required, this must be done before the document is translated. The document in the source language, together with the legalisation or apostille, is then a complete document. The sworn translator makes a sworn translation of this complete document (i.e., a sworn translation of the document in the source language and a sworn translation of the legalisation or apostille, if applicable).

Translations

Sworn translations to be used or submitted outside Belgium must be legalised by FPS Justice. You can do this yourself at the office of the Legalisation Service of FPS Justice every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 9 to 12 a.m. (Waterloolaan 115, 1000 Brussels).

After legalisation by FPS Justice, legalisation or an apostille by FPS Foreign Affairs is required. Sworn translations for use in the European Union do not require a legalisation by FPS Justice or an apostille/legalisation by FPS Foreign Affairs in certain cases. You can check whether your translation requires a legalisation or an apostille via the online search criteria.

You can request a legalisation or an apostille yourself at the office of the Legalisation Service of FPS Foreign Affairs. This service is only available by appointment. You can make an appointment online.

How to order a sworn translation?

There is no need to supply the original documents or the physical documents in the source language to us for sworn translations. A legible scan or picture by email is sufficient.

You will then receive a non-binding quote from us with the translation costs and delivery time. After your confirmation and payment of the invoice, we will first send you a draft translation by email. This is the translation of your document without certification or legalisation for you to check. However, substantive adjustments are not possible. After your approval of this draft translation, the sworn and legalised translation of your document will be sent to you within the agreed term.