What is a sworn translation in the Netherlands?

A sworn translation in the Netherlands is a translation made by a translator who has taken an oath before a Dutch court and is listed in the Rbtv register. The translator adds a signed statement and an official stamp confirming the text matches the original. Dutch authorities such as the IND accept it as official.

What makes a translation "sworn"?

The word "sworn" refers to a specific legal act. A translator who wants to produce sworn translations applies to Bureau Wbtv, which checks their qualifications and language skills against the Wet beëdigde tolken en vertalers (Wbtv). Once approved, the translator is entered in the Rbtv, the Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators.

The translator then takes an oath before a district court of De Rechtspraak. They swear to translate faithfully and completely, without adding, omitting or changing anything. From that point the court has formally authorised them to certify their own work.

A sworn translation carries three things a regular translation does not. The translator writes a statement that the translation is a true and complete rendering of the source document. They sign that statement personally. And they apply their registered stamp, which carries their Rbtv number.

The translation is bound together with a copy of the source document, so the receiving authority can see exactly which text was translated. That package is what gives the document its legal standing. For a closer look at how this differs from a regular translation, see our comparison of certified versus sworn translation.

Who can produce a sworn translation in the Netherlands?

Only a translator registered in the Rbtv for the relevant language pair may produce a sworn translation. Registration is per language combination and per direction. A translator sworn in for Dutch to English cannot automatically certify a Polish to Dutch translation; that needs a separate qualification and a separate entry in the register.

This matters in practice. A translation agency can coordinate your order, but the certification itself has to come from an individually registered translator. Bureau Wbtv keeps the Rbtv and publishes who is registered, so the qualification can be checked rather than simply taken on trust.

When do you need one (IND, municipality, university, abroad)?

You need a sworn translation whenever a Dutch authority has to rely on a foreign-language document to reach a decision. A plain translation, however accurate, carries no official status.

Common situations include:

• Residence and immigration procedures. The IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) asks for sworn translations of foreign birth certificates, marriage certificates and similar civil-status documents filed with a residence-permit application.
• Municipal registration. When you register with your municipality, civil-status documents in another language usually need a sworn translation before they can go into the records.
• University admission and credential recognition. Dutch institutions often ask for a sworn translation of diplomas and transcripts issued abroad.
• Use abroad. A Dutch document going to another country may need a sworn translation, often together with an apostille or legalisation.

The exact requirement depends on the authority and the procedure, so it pays to confirm what they expect before you order. Our overview of translation services lists the document types we handle most often, from civil-status records to diplomas and company extracts.

Do you need to send original documents?

For most procedures, a clear scan or photo of your document is enough to produce the sworn translation. The translator works from the file you upload, certifies the result, and the translation is then valid in its own right.

Two points are worth knowing. The receiving authority, not the translator, decides whether it also wants to see the original source document. Some authorities accept the certified translation on its own; others ask to inspect or keep the original. And if your document needs an apostille, that step usually applies to the original or to an official copy, not to the scan.

We translate from your scan in almost all cases. If the authority later asks for the original to be shown alongside, you keep it and hand it over yourself; the sworn translation we deliver stays valid.

What does a sworn translation cost and how long does it take?

The price depends mainly on the language pair and the number of pages.

| Item | Price | |---|---| | Sworn translation, Dutch ↔ English or French (first page) | From €39 | | Sworn translation, other language pairs (first page) | €59 | | Each additional page | €75 | | Digital copy (PDF by email), optional | €9.95 | | Registered shipping within the Netherlands | €9.95 (free from €299) | | Apostille per document, optional, all-in | €99 |

The base price covers the translation, the sworn translator's certification, the official stamp and our acceptance guarantee. It does not include delivery or a digital copy. Registered shipping within the Netherlands is €9.95, and free from €299. A digital copy by email is an optional add-on of €9.95. An apostille, if you need one, is €99 per document, all-in, covering the court fee and the court application.

Standard turnaround is 5-7 working days. If you are in a hurry, faster delivery is a paid option: express adds 50% with a minimum of €55, and same-day adds 100% with a minimum of €75 for Dutch↔English/French orders placed before 12:00.

The acceptance guarantee sits behind every order. If a Dutch authority asks for a change to the translation, we amend it free of charge so it is accepted. You can see the full breakdown on our pricing page and follow the order steps under how the process works.

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean to be a sworn translator?

A sworn translator has taken an oath before a Dutch district court and is entered in the Rbtv, the official register kept by Bureau Wbtv. The oath binds them to translate faithfully and completely. That authorisation lets them certify their own translations with a signed statement and an official stamp.

Who can do a sworn translation?

Only a translator registered in the Rbtv for the specific language pair may produce a sworn translation. Registration is per language combination and per direction, so a translator sworn for Dutch to English is not automatically qualified for, say, Spanish to Dutch. We assign every order to a translator registered for the exact pair you need.

What is the difference between a standard translation and a sworn translation?

A standard translation conveys meaning but has no official status, so authorities will not accept it for legal purposes. A sworn translation is certified by a court-authorised translator with a signed statement and stamp, which makes it valid for official use. For internal reading a standard translation is fine; for the IND, a municipality or a court you need a sworn one.

Is a sworn translator the same as a certified translator?

In the Netherlands the official term is "sworn translator", meaning a translator listed in the Rbtv after taking an oath before a court. "Certified translation" is a looser international phrase that different countries define in different ways. For documents used with Dutch authorities, what counts is that the translator is sworn and registered in the Rbtv.

What is the difference between a sworn translation and an apostille?

A sworn translation makes a foreign-language document readable and legally valid in Dutch. An apostille is a separate certificate, issued under the Hague Apostille Convention (1961), that confirms a document or signature is genuine for use abroad. They serve different purposes and are sometimes needed together. Our guide to the apostille in the Netherlands explains when each one applies.