Sworn interpreting: what it is, when it is needed and how it works

Do you need to attend a court hearing, sign a document in front of a notary or carry out an official procedure in Spain, but the other person doesn’t speak Spanish? In that case, you may have heard of sworn interpreting.

But what exactly does that mean? Is it the same as a sworn translation? Who is eligible to practise as a sworn interpreter? When is it compulsory to have one? Can you provide this kind of interpreting services remotely?

These are very common questions, and it is also easy to confuse sworn interpreting with sworn translation.

In this guide, you will find clear answers to the main questions about sworn interpreting, whether you have never worked with an interpreter before or need to book this service for an official procedure.

What is sworn interpreting?

Sworn interpreting is the interpreting of spoken communication carried out by a professional who holds the relevant official accreditation as a sworn interpreter.

Unlike sworn translation, which deals with written documents, sworn interpreting focuses on what people say verbally.

For example, it may be necessary when a person who is not fluent in Spanish has to take part in:

• Legal proceedings.
• A statement to the authorities.
• A hearing
• A notarial act.
• Certain administrative procedures.
• Meetings or official events involving people who speak different languages.

In Spain, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation oversees the procedure for obtaining the qualifications of Sworn Translator and Sworn Interpreter. The actions undertaken by these professionals may be of an official nature and may be submitted to judicial and administrative bodies, in accordance with the applicable regulations.

A simple way to understand it

Imagine that someone speaks English and has to give evidence before a Spanish authority.

The sworn interpreter listens to what is said in English and interprets it into Spanish so that those present can understand it. If someone else speaks Spanish, they will do the opposite.

They are not translating a document: they are interpreting a spoken conversation.

Are sworn interpreting and sworn translation the same thing?

No. Although both services are related and may form part of the same procedure, they do not do exactly the same thing.

The simplest difference is this:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs itself distinguishes between these roles: a sworn translator may translate written documents; a sworn interpreter may interpret spoken conversations or speeches; and a sworn translator-interpreter may provide both services.

So, what do I need?

If you need to have an official document translated, you are probably looking for a sworn translation.

If you need someone to interpret orally during an official proceeding, you will need a sworn interpreter.

And in some cases, both services may be required.

For example, a foreign national may need to submit a sworn translation of certain documents in advance and then require an interpreter during a face-to-face hearing.

When do I need a sworn interpreter?

This is probably one of the most important questions.

There is no single situation in which a sworn interpreter is required. Whether one is needed depends on the specific procedure, the institution before which it takes place and the applicable requirements in each case

Some of the situations in which it may be necessary or advisable to use a sworn interpreter are:

1. Legal proceedings

If one of the people involved in proceedings does not have a sufficient understanding of the language used, the services of an interpreter may be required.

In such cases, accuracy is particularly important: it is not enough for someone simply to know two languages.

2. Notarial acts

Certain notarial procedures may require interpretation if any of the parties involved does not understand the language in which the proceedings are conducted.

The aim is for the person to be able to properly understand what they are stating or signing.

3. Administrative procedures

Some administrative procedures may require the services of an interpreter where there is a language barrier.

Therefore, if you have an official procedure to complete and are unsure whether you need a sworn interpretation, it is advisable to check with the relevant body beforehand.

4. Statements and appearances

When a person has to make an oral statement in a language they do not speak fluently, interpreting may be necessary to facilitate communication between all parties.

In situations such as these, the professional’s experience and knowledge of the specific terminology take on particular importance.

Who can become a sworn interpreter in Spain?

Not every bilingual person can be considered a sworn interpreter.

In Spain, there is an official qualification required to practise as a sworn interpreter. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation publishes a list of accredited professionals, with details of the languages for which they are authorised.

This is important because being fluent in two languages and being a qualified sworn interpreter are not the same thing.

A person may be bilingual, may have studied translation and interpreting, or may have many years’ experience using a language, and yet still not be a sworn interpreter.

Therefore, when an institution specifically requires a sworn interpreter, it is advisable to check that the professional holds the relevant accreditation.

What is the difference between a professional interpreter and a sworn interpreter?

Both work in the field of oral communication, but the status of sworn interpreter requires specific official accreditation.

A professional interpreter may work, for example, at congresses, conferences, business meetings, trade fairs, international events, presentations, online meetings, etc.

A sworn interpreter is also authorised to provide interpreting services that may be of an official nature, in accordance with the terms set out in the relevant regulations.

Therefore, not all interpreters are sworn interpreters.

Nor do all situations requiring interpretation necessarily require a sworn interpreter.

The key is to first identify what type of proceeding you are involved in and what the requirements are.

Can sworn interpreting be done online?

Technology now makes it possible to provide many interpreting services remotely, but when it comes to a procedure with specific official requirements, it is important to confirm in advance that the relevant body, authority or procedure accepts remote delivery.

Therefore, before organising an online sworn interpretation, it is advisable to check:

• Which body or authority is involved.
• What type of procedure is to be carried out.
• Whether remote interpreting is accepted.
• What requirements the interpreter must meet.
• What documentation or proof of identity is required.

In professional interpreting services, remote solutions enable interpreters to connect with participants in different locations. This type of technology is also used at meetings, events and other multilingual situations. Olyusei, for example, offers remote interpreting solutions and an international network of professional interpreters and sworn interpreters.

Important: The fact that it is technically possible to provide interpreting via videoconference does not mean that any official procedure must automatically accept this method. The specific requirements must be confirmed on a case-by-case basis.

How much does sworn interpreting cost?

There is no single rate applicable to all sworn interpreting services. The rate depends on various factors:

• Language or language combination.
• Duration of the assignment.
• Type of procedure.
• Venue
• Necessary journeys.
• Face-to-face or remote delivery, where possible.
• Complexity or specialisation of the content.
• Timing.

For this reason, requesting a quote without providing details of the work involved may result in an inaccurate estimate.

What information should I provide when requesting a quote?

The more information, the better. You can prepare the following data:

• Date: When will the assignment take place?
• Time: What time does it start, and how long is it expected to last?
• Languages: What language combination do you need?
• Venue: Will it be in person? In which city?
• Type of assignment: Is it judicial, notarial, administrative, business-related or other?

With this information, we will be better able to assess which professionals and resources are required.

What happens if I need a sworn translation and a sworn interpreting service at the same time?

This situation is quite common. Imagine that a foreign national is going to carry out an administrative procedure in Spain. They may need:

• Before the appointment: have certain documents officially translated.
• During the appointment: have a sworn interpreter present to facilitate verbal communication.

In this case, we are talking about two different language services, although both form part of the same process.

This distinction can also help you explain exactly what you need when you request a quote.

Can AI replace a sworn interpreter?

Artificial intelligence is transforming the language sector and can be useful in a wide range of contexts.

However, in situations where official accreditation is required, it is not sufficient simply to use an automated translation or interpreting tool.

The status of sworn interpreter is granted to professionals who hold the relevant official accreditation.

Furthermore, in sensitive procedures, human input provides elements that go beyond simply translating words from one language to another: an understanding of context, terminology, communicative intent and the ability to deal with unexpected situations.

AI can be a complementary tool in certain settings, but an automated interpreting solution should not be confused with the official status of a sworn interpreter.

7 questions you should ask before booking a sworn interpreting service

If you’ve never used this service before, it’s quite normal not to know where to start.

These questions may help you:

Do I really need a sworn interpreter?

First, check what is required by the organisation or procedure you are going to take part in.

Which language do I need?

It is not enough simply to state that you need an interpreter. It is necessary to know which linguistic combination is required.

Can the assignment take place online?

Where possible, remote working can make organisation considerably easier, but it must be confirmed that the specific procedure allows for it.

Is the professional qualified to work in that language?

If the proceedings specifically require a sworn interpreter, check that they hold the relevant accreditation.

How long will it last?

The estimated duration is one of the key pieces of information needed to draw up a quote.

Do I also need a sworn translation?

If you have any documents in another language, you may also need a sworn translation.

Who is responsible for coordination?

For complex cases, the best course of action is to contact a provider such as Tridiom and Olyusei to arrange both sworn translation and sworn interpreting.