Sworn translations in Argentina

Which documents require a sworn translation?
Every document that is submitted to foreign departments or entities, or to public, judicial or administrative agencies of the National Government or the Government of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires must be accompanied by the corresponding translation to the national language. Here are some examples of this type of documents:
- Passports, ID cards, certificates, and any other personal documentation.
- Curricula, studies certificates, transcripts, diplomas, and any other academic documentation.
- Powers of attorney, deeds, testaments, and any other notarial documentation.
- Commercial invoices, contracts, balance sheets, articles of incorporation, by-laws, meetings minutes, and any other corporate documentation.
- Research studies, technical and scientific documentation; patents of invention; court orders and records, letters rogatory, registered letters and notices, and any other similar documentation.
In general, the sworn translation of a document -and the corresponding certification by the Sworn Translators Association of the City of Buenos Aires (CTPCBA)- is the last link of the chain of legalizations needed to submit such document to national or international departments or entities. We advise our clients to contact the authority or entity that requests the sworn translation to find out about the submitting requirements before entrusting the job to us.
How to request a sworn translation?
In order for us to perform the translation, it is essential that the client provides us with the original documentation (or a copy certified by a Notary Public, if such is accepted by the authority requesting the translation), to which we will attach the translation along with an overstamping. This is the procedure required by law for the submission of every sworn translation. Therefore, if the original document is separated from its translation, the translation shall be considered void.
If you need a sworn translation, please call us, send us an e-mail or request a free quote here.
Delivery terms
The delivery date of a sworn translation is agreed with the client beforehand. As it happens with standard translations, the deadline will depend, among other factors, on the urgency of the order, the length of the documents and the difficulty of the text. However, in this case, the certification time will also have to be taken into account.
We deliver the translation personally within the area of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, or by postal mail or messenger service as per the client's request. In the event that the client lives in other part of the Province of Buenos Aires, in the provinces or abroad, delivery by courier, private postal service or any other method suggested by the client can also be agreed.
What does the figure of a sworn translator imply?
A sworn translator is a professional whose duty involves translating documents from the national language into a foreign language (and vice versa), pursuant to Act 20,305 of the Argentine Republic or upon request of the interested party.
Every sworn translator must be registered in the CTPCBA. This means that they have to register their stamp and signature at such institution, where they are given a registration number that empowers them to exercise the profession.
Every sworn translation signed and stamped by a sworn translator must be certified by the CTPCBA. The cost of the certification is established by the CTPCBA and can be consulted here. At Palabras del Plata, we deliver sworn translations already certified for our clients' convenience.