Sworn translation

What is sworn translation and who does it?

A sworn translation is a translation made, signed and stamped by a translator who has taken an oath at a notary's office and is registered there. With their signature, the translator declares that the translation is true to the original document, and they are responsible for it. That is why official institutions usually ask for a sworn translation when they review a document in a foreign language.

At Cantürk Lingua, sworn translation work is handled by translators who have taken their oath before a notary for the language in question. You upload your document online; once the sworn translation is complete, the PDF is uploaded to your account, and the signed and stamped original copy is sent by courier or handed over at our office in Fatih.

Which documents require a sworn translation?

If you are submitting a document to an official institution in Türkiye and it is not in Turkish, the institution will most likely ask for a translation. These are the situations we see most often:

• Passports, birth certificates and marriage certificates for residence permit and family residence permit applications
• Diplomas, transcripts and student certificates for university enrollment and degree recognition
• Civil registry records, criminal record certificates and marital status documents for citizenship applications
• Diplomas and professional qualification certificates for work permits
• Powers of attorney and official documents issued abroad for notarial transactions

The institution you are submitting the document to decides which documents are required. We have gathered the documents most often requested for each type of application in our application guide.

The difference between sworn translation and notarized translation

A sworn translation becomes valid with the translator's signature and stamp. Some institutions require one more step: having the translator's signature certified by a notary. This is called a notarized translation. The notary does not certify the content of the translation, but rather the identity of the translator and the fact that they are sworn.

If your institution only asks for a sworn translation, there is no need to pay extra for notarization. If notarization is required, simply tick that option when you place your order; you can find the details on our notarized translation page. If the document will be used abroad, also check whether an apostille is required.

In which languages do we provide sworn translation?

We provide translation services in 42 languages. The languages we work with most often are Russian, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Turkmen, Arabic, Persian, Urdu, English, German, Dutch and Chinese. If your document's language is not on the list, message us on WhatsApp before placing an order, and we will check for a suitable sworn translator for you.

What to keep in mind when ordering a sworn translation

• Upload all pages of the document, front and back, as a clear photo or PDF.
• Make sure details such as seals, signatures and stamps are legible; any illegible parts will be noted in the translation.
• If you want names spelled exactly as they appear in your passport, add this to the order notes.
• Find out in advance whether the institution you are submitting the document to requires notarization or an apostille.

What does a sworn translation document include?

In addition to the full translation of the document, every sworn translation includes the translator's statement. In this statement, the translator declares that the translation is true to the attached original document and adds their name, signature, stamp and the date below it. Seals, signatures, stamps and handwritten notes on the document are also clearly indicated in the translation. If any part is illegible, this is noted separately in the translated text.

Spelling of names, addresses and dates

Rendering names written in a foreign alphabet into Turkish is the most sensitive part of a translation. If the same person's name is spelled differently in their passport, diploma and birth certificate, your application may be delayed. That is why we recommend adding the Latin-alphabet spelling of the names as it appears in the passport to your order notes; our translator will then use the same spelling across all your documents. Dates are written in day.month.year format, and addresses follow the order used in the original.

Sworn translation of e-Government (e-Devlet) and barcoded documents

Barcoded documents obtained through e-Government (e-Devlet) and documents issued electronically abroad can also be rendered into Turkish through sworn translation. For these documents, the barcode, the verification code and the explanations next to the QR code are included in the translation, so the receiving institution can verify the original in its own system.

How long is a sworn translation valid?

There is no general validity period set for the translation itself. However, some institutions require certain documents, such as criminal record certificates or marital status documents, to have been issued within the last few months. In that case, you will need to obtain a new document and have it translated again. We recommend checking the institution's date requirement before you apply.

Quick questions and answers

Can handwritten documents be translated?

Yes. Handwritten documents are translated to the extent that they are legible; any illegible words are noted separately in the text. Photographing the document in good light on a flat surface makes it easier to read.

What happens if I notice an error in the translation?

If you notice a spelling error, for example in a name or a date, after receiving your translation, let us know on WhatsApp or through your account. We will check it against the original document and make the necessary correction.

How is the price of a sworn translation calculated?

The price of a translation depends on the document type, the language pair and additional services such as notarization or apostille; 20% VAT is added. As soon as you select these details on the order form, the total price appears on the screen; you can see the price without signing up. For details, see our translation prices page.

For general information on translation, we recommend following the Union of Turkish Notaries website, and for application requirements, the latest announcements of the relevant institution.