Everything to know before you start.

A certified translation is a translation accompanied by a statement from a sworn translator attesting that the translation is accurate and complete. It bears the translator's stamp and signature.

The quality is the same. The only difference lies in the formal requirements of the receiving authority. Some authorities require a sworn translator's stamp and a certification statement, others do not.

Every case is different. In general, a clear scan of your document is enough. However, depending on the purpose of the translation and the requirements of the receiving authority, specific procedures may apply. You can contact the translator to find the best way to send her your document.

By default, certified translations are printed on paper and bear the translator's official stamp, handwritten signature and the date. This is the standard format accepted by the Swiss authorities.

I also send a scan of the final translation by email, so you can check all names, dates and spellings. The certified document is then sent by priority mail at no extra cost.

On request, a digitally certified version (PDF with a qualified electronic signature) can also be provided by email. This option is faster and fully valid in Switzerland and the EU. This option costs CHF 5.

In Geneva, the minimum rate per certified translation is CHF 85. For more details, please refer to the official rates.

Legalisation is a procedure that makes a document legally valid abroad by authenticating the official's signature and stamp. There are two types of legalisation, depending on the destination country:

• Apostille: for member countries of the Hague Convention.
• Consular legalisation: for other countries.

In Geneva, apostilles and legalisations are issued by the State Chancellery.

If your certified translation is to be used outside Switzerland, some authorities may require an apostille or a legalisation of the translator's signature.

In Geneva, this is done by the State Chancellery. The apostille is a stamp that certifies the authenticity of the translator's signature for documents intended for member countries of the Hague Convention.

Apostilles are only needed if the receiving authority requires them. Not all certified translations need legalisation.

For more information (in French), please see the website of the Geneva State Chancellery: ge.ch/legaliser-document.