Sworn or certified translation: which do you need?

What is a sworn translation in the Netherlands?

A Dutch sworn translation is carried out by a translator who is registered in the Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (Rbtv) and has been sworn in. Bureau Wbtv explains that registration and the oath are both required before a translator may perform sworn translation work.

The register can be checked by name, language or Wbtv number. When arranging a translation, the relevant language combination and translation direction matter. A translator’s professional status and the recipient’s document requirements are separate checks.

What does certified translation mean?

The phrase “certified translation” needs to be read in the context of the receiving organisation’s rules. Do not assume that the word “certified” alone tells you whether a Dutch sworn translation is required.

For example, GOV.UK’s guidance on certifying a translation asks for a written confirmation of accuracy, the date and the translator’s full name and contact details. That guidance describes a UK requirement; it is not a universal definition for every country or application.

Agency certification is a different form of evidence

An agency’s ISO certification concerns the scope stated on its certificate. It does not by itself tell you whether a particular document must be translated by a sworn translator or what the receiving organisation will accept.

Keep these questions separate: who will carry out the translation, what declaration or certification must accompany it, and whether the original document or translation needs legalisation.

Ask the recipient these questions

Before ordering, ask which language is required, whether a sworn translator is needed, what certification wording or supporting information must be included, and whether the translation must be submitted on paper or digitally. Share the instructions with your translation provider. For an application in the Netherlands, see our practical guide to translations for immigration.

If legalisation is mentioned, check it separately. Our guide to apostille and legalisation explains the distinction. Certification of a translation should not be treated as a guarantee that every recipient will accept it.

Choose the right translation with Urgent Vertalen

Urgent Vertalen helps you arrange sworn translations and other document translations. Tell us who will receive your document, what it is for and which instructions you have been given.

For a legal document, our guide to choosing a translator helps you prepare the brief and check the relevant requirements.

Request your no-obligation quote with your document details and the source and target languages. We will agree the translation service, scope, price and delivery time before work starts. If you are unsure what the recipient means, contact our translation advisers before sending your documents.

Official sources

See Bureau Wbtv’s guidance on using a translator and GOV.UK’s guidance on certifying a translation. These sources concern different systems and should be applied to the relevant request.

Need language support for an appointment as well as a document? Our explanation of translators and interpreters helps you distinguish the services before making arrangements.