Description
Sworn translation of a death certificate
A sworn translation of a death certificate is an essential service for many legal, administrative and estate-related procedures both in Spain and abroad. At iDISC, all of our sworn translations are carried out by sworn translators-interpreters appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAEC), guaranteeing their full official validity before civil registries, courts, notaries, insurance companies, consulates and international bodies.
This type of translation is known as sworn translation, official translation or certified translation, and is required whenever a death certificate must be submitted in a language different from that of the issuing or destination country.
What is a death certificate?
A death certificate is an official document issued by the Civil Registry of the country where the death occurred. It contains key information, such as the date and place of death, the personal details of the deceased, the cause of death (according to the regulations of the issuing country) and the details of the issuing Civil Registry or authority.
This document is of fundamental legal importance and is required for numerous procedures related to inheritance, insurance, property, pensions, and administrative matters.
When these procedures must be carried out in a country other than the one that issued the certificate, a sworn translation is usually mandatory.
When do you need a sworn translation of a death certificate?
A sworn translation of the death certificate is required in many situations, including:
- Succession and inheritance proceedings: if assets, properties or heirs are located in another country, a sworn translation is essential to initiate or continue the succession process.
- Insurance claims: insurance companies in other countries will require a sworn translation to validate life insurance policies, accident claims, or funeral expenses.
- International banking and estate procedures: the closure or transfer of bank accounts, investments or properties abroad requires the submission of the death certificate in the official language of the relevant institution or jurisdiction.
- Immigration or consular procedures: in cases of family reunification, special visas or document regularization following the death of a family member.
- Registration or validation of death abroad: when notifying foreign embassies, consulates or agencies.
Apostille and legalization
If the death certificate must be submitted abroad, you may also need to have it apostilled or legalized. For countries party to the Hague Convention, an apostille is required. For non-Convention countries, consular legalization is needed.
The apostille is affixed to the original document, never to the translation itself. If the certificate is already apostilled, we can take care of the sworn translation of both the certificate and the apostille, if required.
In Spain, the apostille is usually handled through Notarial Associations, or the Territorial Offices of the Ministry of Justice, depending on the type of document and its signature. We can advise you as to which option applies in your case.
Commitment to quality
At iDISC, we are committed to delivering sworn translations with the highest standards of quality and accuracy. All our work is carried out by sworn translators with extensive professional experience, holding valid appointments from Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC), ensuring that your document is faithful to the original and retains its full legal validity. We specialize in guaranteeing the accuracy of every translation, helping ensure that your legal, administrative, or personal procedures are completed smoothly and without complications.
