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Certified translation Switzerland

What a certified or notarized translation does and what its limitations are. This page explains the practice without official German and points out the most common stumbling blocks.

What is certified

A certified translation confirms the completeness and accuracy of the translation. A notarial certification, on the other hand, often only confirms the identity or signature of the person translating.

Swiss peculiarity

Switzerland does not have a uniform national system of sworn translators like Germany. Individual cantons, such as Geneva and Neuchâtel, maintain their own registers. That's why you always have to differentiate between the purpose and the target authority.

When a stamp is not enough

For internal purposes, a simple confirmation is sometimes sufficient. For courts, universities, visas, marriage, inheritance or company registration, bodies often require formal certification, notarial confirmation or additional apostille.

Paper, scan and several originals

A scan is often enough to prepare. A paper original, a secure connection, a stamp, a seal and shipping may be necessary for the final copy. If you serve several authorities, you should plan for several original copies.

Names, stamps and mistakes

Names must be transferred consistently with passport and previous documents. Stamps, seals, handwritten notes and apostilles are also translated or described. Errors in the original are not secretly corrected.

Practical exam

Which country and which specific destination?
Original, certified copy or private declaration?
Apostille, legalization or just a certified translation?
Does the apostille have to be translated itself?
How current does the basic document have to be?

Questions about this topic

Frequent detailed questions

What is a certified translation?

A certified translation confirms the completeness and accuracy of the translation. A notarized translation often confirms the translator's signature or a statement.

Are there sworn translators in Switzerland?

Switzerland does not have a uniform national system like Germany. Individual cantons, particularly Geneva and Neuchâtel, maintain registers for traducteurs-jurés.

Who is allowed to provide certified translations in Switzerland?

Depending on the purpose, professional translators, translation agencies, cantonally registered translators or notarized translator declarations may be required.

How is translation → notary → state chancellery going?

Typically: create a translation, sign a translator's declaration, have the signature certified by a notary, have the notary's signature apostilled or legalized by the State Chancellery.

What does the notary certify?

Usually the identity and signature of the person translating or their declaration, not automatically the linguistic accuracy of the translation.

Is the stamp of a translation agency enough?

For simple purposes sometimes. It is often not enough for authorities abroad; then a certified translation, notary or apostille are required.

How much does a certified translation with an apostille cost?

This depends on pages, number of words, language, subject area, urgency, notary, apostille and shipping.

How long does it last?

Short documents are often possible quickly, with notary/apostille/shipping it takes longer. Rare languages or complex company documents take more time.

Do I need original or scan?

A scan is often enough for an offer. The physical original may be necessary for an apostille, notarial connection or execution.

In what format do I have to submit documents?

An easy-to-read scan or a PDF is often sufficient for preparation. However, authorities and notaries often require the physical original for an apostille, notarial certification or permanent copy.

Which language combinations are possible?

In principle, many language combinations are possible. In the case of rare languages, specialist texts or documents with a different script, it should also be checked whether the target position requires special translator qualifications.

Which documents typically require certified translation?

Civil status documents, certificates, diplomas, criminal record extracts, court judgments, powers of attorney, commercial register extracts, contracts, adoption, inheritance and migration documents.

Digital or paper original?

Many places only accept paper originals with a signature, stamp, seal or stitching. Digital copies do not always replace the original.

How many copies to order?

Order several originals if several authorities are keeping documents or checking them in parallel.