Certified and Sworn Translation
Accurate and legally recognised translations for official use in South Africa
When you need documents translated for legal, government, immigration, academic or official purposes in South Africa, it’s crucial to understand the difference between certified and sworn translations - and which one you actually need. We explain both, with clear guidance for South African requirements.
When you need documents translated for legal, government, immigration, academic or official purposes in South Africa, it’s crucial to understand the difference between certified and sworn translations - and which one you actually need. We explain both, with clear guidance for South African requirements.
What is a Certified Translation?
A certified translation is a professionally completed translation accompanied by a signed statement confirming that the translation is accurate and complete.
Certified translations are suitable for many official purposes, including interactions with employers, educational institutions, most academic submissions, and internal legal processes where a sworn translation is not explicitly required. Each certified translation includes:
- A complete and faithful translation from the source language to the target language
- A signed and stamped declaration of accuracy by our qualified translator
- Contact information and date of certification
Certified translations are faster and more affordable than sworn translations because they do not require special legal status or registration.
They are appropriate in many situations, but you must confirm acceptance with the authority requesting the translation before submitting it to them.
A certified translation is a professionally completed translation accompanied by a signed statement confirming that the translation is accurate and complete.
Certified translations are suitable for many official purposes, including interactions with employers, educational institutions, most academic submissions, and internal legal processes where a sworn translation is not explicitly required. Each certified translation includes:
- A complete and faithful translation from the source language to the target language
- A signed and stamped declaration of accuracy by our qualified translator
- Contact information and date of certification
Certified translations are faster and more affordable than sworn translations because they do not require special legal status or registration.
They are appropriate in many situations, but you must confirm acceptance with the authority requesting the translation before submitting it to them.
What is a Sworn Translation in South Africa?
In South Africa, a sworn translation (sometimes referred to locally as a certified sworn translation) is a translation performed by a translator who has been officially appointed and authorised by the High Court of South Africa.
These translators:
Have taken an oath before the High Court to translate original hard copy documents faithfully and accurately,
Produce original hard copy translated documents that carry legal validity for official use, although an electronic copy can be requested if suitable for your purpose,
Personally stamp and sign every translation they perform.
Sworn translations are required when a government department, court, embassy or other official body specifies that only a translation by a High Court-accredited sworn translator will be accepted. This is usually only requested when dealing with South Africa, as other countries work on a certified translator system.
When Do You Need a Sworn Translation?
A sworn translation is generally required when submitting foreign-language documents to government related authorities within South Africa and from South Africa to government related authorities abroad, including for example:
Department of Home Affairs submissions (e.g., visa, residency, citizenship applications)
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for foreign qualification assessments
Foreign embassies or consulates
Courts or legal authorities
Some universities and professional bodies for official record validation
Any official process that explicitly states “sworn translation required”
If the requesting body does not clearly require a sworn translation, always ask them to confirm in writing before you order one.
It does happen that some languages will not have an available sworn translation in South Africa. In this case, we may proceed with a certified translation in the interim, which your authority may accept, even if just whilst waiting for an available sworn translator.
Department of Home Affairs submissions (e.g., visa, residency, citizenship applications)
South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for foreign qualification assessments
Foreign embassies or consulates
Courts or legal authorities
Some universities and professional bodies for official record validation
Any official process that explicitly states “sworn translation required”
Key Differences
(South African Context)
Certified Translation Sworn Translation Translation by a certified translator and stamped by Lingua as our guarantee of accuracy Translation by a translator that has been sworn in at the High Court and issued with the translators' official stamp Accepted by many institutions and authorities Potentially requiredby courts, SAQA, Home Affairs, and embassies when specified Faster turnaround and lower cost More complicated process potentially involving originals, couriers and higher fees due to legal status Not legally equivalent to the original Legally recognised translation with official stamp Good for most domestic and academic uses Needed when an authority explicitly mandates it
| Certified Translation | Sworn Translation |
|---|---|
| Translation by a certified translator and stamped by Lingua as our guarantee of accuracy | Translation by a translator that has been sworn in at the High Court and issued with the translators' official stamp |
| Accepted by many institutions and authorities | Potentially requiredby courts, SAQA, Home Affairs, and embassies when specified |
| Faster turnaround and lower cost | More complicated process potentially involving originals, couriers and higher fees due to legal status |
| Not legally equivalent to the original | Legally recognised translation with official stamp |
| Good for most domestic and academic uses | Needed when an authority explicitly mandates it |
Important Practical Notes
Certified translation is faster and more affordable
Certified translations can often be completed and delivered electronically within an hour and they do not require original documents to be couriered. However, they may no suit your purpose.
Because requirements vary between different authorities (e.g., Home Affairs vs an embassy vs SAQA), it’s essential to confirm in writing what type of translation is required before submitting your documents.
Please contact us with:
- Your document(s)
- Language(s) involved
- Where the document will be submitted
- We will confirm which type of translation you need and provide a tailored quotation.
- Your document(s)
- Language(s) involved
- Where the document will be submitted
- We will confirm which type of translation you need and provide a tailored quotation.
Next Step
Whether you need a certified or sworn translation, we are here to help you navigate the requirements, ensure legal acceptability and deliver accurate work on time.
Whether you need a certified or sworn translation, we are here to help you navigate the requirements, ensure legal acceptability and deliver accurate work on time.
