Official documents are not automatically legally valid outside the country of origin. A solution to this can be a sworn translation. In this case, a declaration is attached to the source text and the translation, proving that the translator is registered at a district court as being a sworn translator.

In many cases, a sworn translation is not sufficient and an authentication is required.

There are two types of authentication:
•    For countries where the Apostille Convention (The Hague, 5 October 1961) has been ratified, an apostille is sufficient. This is a declaration in which a relevant authority (a district court) confirms the authenticity of the signature on the declaration attached to the sworn translation.

•    For countries where the Apostille Convention is not valid, an elaborate authentication procedure must be followed. The authenticity of all signatures attached to the translation must be confirmed by various diplomatic authorities. After the signatures have been authenticated by the district court, they must then be authenticated successively by the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant consulate/embassy.

BTS regularly arranges for sworn translations and authentications to be carried out. After all signatures and stamps have been duly provided, we send you everything by recorded delivery or courier.