Certified translations, sometimes referred to as sworn translations, are translations which are required for official use.

A certified translation is a legal document; therefore, it must meet a number of requirements. Most importantly, it must be made by sworn translator, a qualified individual entered into the register of sworn translators kept by the Minister of Justice, who must certify that the text of the translation corresponds to the source text. Moreover, a certified translation must be sealed and signed by a sworn translator.

The competencies of a sworn translator are verified in a demanding, two-part state examination, whose pass rate does not exceed 25% (Marek Kuźniak, Egzamin na tłumacza przysięgłego, C.H. Beck, Warsaw 2013, pp. 6)

Since a certified translation must have an affixed seal and signature of a sworn translator, it is made in paper form. Obviously, the translation may also be scanned and sent by email.

Examples of documents which require a certified translation

Usually documents required for official purposes need to be certified by a sworn translator:

  • Notarial deeds

  • Registry records (birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates)

  • Registry records (birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates)

  • Tender documentation

  • Tax documentation and social insurance certificates

  • Identity documents and passports

  • Documents required to register a vehicle (vehicle registration certificates, vehicle licences)

  • Diplomas (and diploma supplements) of completing higher education of courses

  • Invoices

  • National Court Register Excerpts

  • Powers of attorney

  • Insurance policies

  • Financial statements

  • School certificates

  • Civil law agreements (employment contracts, lease agreements, sales agreements)

  • Articles of association

  • Court judgements and decisions

  • Certificates (criminal records disclosure, earnings statements, employment certificates)

  • Medical certificates