Description
Sworn translation of a divorce certificate
A sworn translation of a divorce certificate is an essential document for many legal and administrative procedures in Spain and abroad.
When a divorce certificate is written in a language other than that required by the requesting authority, it must be translated by a sworn translator-interpreter appointed by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation (MAEC). This guarantees the translation’s official validity before any public or private entity.
This type of translation is called “sworn translation”, “official translation” or “certified translation”, and is accepted by civil registries, consulates, courts, universities and international bodies.
What is a divorce certificate?
The divorce certificate (or divorce decree accompanied by proof of finality or certification, as applicable) is a document issued by the Civil Registry or the court that has processed the dissolution of the marriage.
It officially certifies that the marriage has been legally dissolved and includes information such as personal data of the former spouses, date of the decree or resolution, registry annotations and, in some cases, references to the property regime, custody, parental authority or other legal aspects.
This document is essential to prove current civil status and is required in many national and international procedures.
When do you need a sworn translation of your divorce certificate?
The most common situations in which a sworn translation is required include:
- Immigration procedures: when applying for visas, residence permits or family reunification procedures, the authorities may require proof of your civil status by means of a sworn translation.
- Marriage abroad: if you wish to marry outside Spain, the authorities in the destination country will request an officially translated divorce certificate to confirm that no existing marriage is in force.
- Registration or validation of marriages in Spain or in other countries: whether registering a marriage celebrated abroad or validating a divorce issued outside Spain, a sworn translation may be required.
- International legal and estate proceedings: including inheritance matters, custody cases, pensions, civil litigation or any procedure requiring proof of civil status in another jurisdiction.
Apostille and legalization
Depending on the country where the document is submitted, it may be necessary to apostille or legalize the original divorce certificate:
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If the country is party to the Hague Convention, an Apostille is required.
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If it is not, a consular legalization must be carried out.
The apostille is affixed only to the original document, never to the translation. If your procedure requires it, we can also provide a sworn translation of the apostille.
In Spain, the apostille of judicial documents and Civil Registry certificates is usually handled through the Notary Associations or the Territorial Offices of the Ministry of Justice, depending on the type of signature and the format of the document.
If needed, we can guide you through the exact steps required to apostille your certificate.
Our commitment to quality
We are proud to offer sworn translations of the highest quality, performed by experienced sworn translators. Each translation is carefully reviewed to ensure that it meets the highest standards of accuracy and legal compliance, guaranteeing that all the important details are correctly reflected. We are committed to delivering a reliable and timely service, ensuring that every document is valid and precise for any procedure you need to complete.
