EnglishBackground, Culture and Documents
Background on the English language, its dialects and writing system, and the document requirements for sworn translations. Translations are made by Rbtv-registered, court-sworn translators and accepted by every Dutch authority.
Summary of sworn English translation
Sworn translation between Dutch and English is official translation carried out by a translator entered in the Dutch Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (Rbtv). The translator's signed statement and stamp give the translation legal standing, which is why bodies such as the IND, gemeenten and courts accept it.
Definition: sworn English translation
Sworn English translation: Sworn translation between Dutch and English is official translation carried out by a translator entered in the Dutch Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (Rbtv). The translator's signed statement and stamp give the translation legal standing, which is why bodies such as the IND, gemeenten and courts accept it.
Facts about English
- Writing system
- Latin alphabet
- Number of speakers
- 1.5 billion
- Countries
- Verenigd Koninkrijk, Verenigde Staten, Australië, Canada, Ierland, Nieuw-Zeeland, Zuid-Afrika, Singapore, India, Filipijnen
About sworn English translations
International clients often use the words certified or notarised, while the Dutch system uses the term sworn (beëdigd). In the Netherlands the element that carries legal weight is the sworn, Rbtv-registered translator who signs and stamps the work; a notary is not involved in the translation itself. So if a Dutch body asks for a certified or official English translation, a sworn translation is what they mean.
Only a translator sworn before a Dutch district court and listed in the Rbtv for the Dutch–English pair, a register kept by Bureau Wbtv on behalf of the Ministry of Justice and Security. That registration is what authorities check, not the translator's qualifications alone.
Civil-status documents (birth, marriage, death and divorce certificates), academic documents (diplomas and transcripts), criminal-record extracts, and various legal and corporate documents are the most common.
Documents and requirements for English
Delivery time, apostille requirement and the destination authority per document type for English destinations. For prices, see our pricing page.
| Document | Delivery time | Apostille required | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | 5-7 working days | Yes | UK Home Office, USCIS, BRP-buitenland |
| Diploma + cijferlijst | 5-7 working days | Depends | NUFFIC, ENIC-NARIC, universiteit |
| Marriage certificate | 5-7 working days | Yes | Civil registry UK/US/AU |
| Certificate of Conduct (VOG) | 5-7 working days | Yes | buitenlandse werkgever, immigration office |
| Paspoort / ID-kaart | 5-7 working days | Depends | ambassade, visumkantoor |
Documents we translate into English
We translate every kind of official document to and from English. Below are the document types people request most often:
Is your document type not listed? See all 103 document types.
Apostille Convention countries where English is official
When you have a document sworn-translated for one of these countries, a Dutch apostille is enough, so consular legalisation is not required.
- Antigua and BarbudaAG
- AustraliaAU
- BahamasBS
- BarbadosBB
- BelizeBZ
- BotswanaBW
- Brunei DarussalamBN
- CanadaCA
- Cook IslandsCK
- DominicaDM
- EswatiniSZ
- FijiFJ
- PhilippinesPH
- GrenadaGD
- GuyanaGY
- IrelandIE
- IndiaIN
- JamaicaJM
- LesothoLS
- LiberiaLR
- MalawiMW
- MaltaMT
- Marshall IslandsMH
- MauritiusMU
- NamibiaNA
- New ZealandNZ
- NiueNU
- PalauPW
- RwandaRW
- Saint Kitts and NevisKN
- Saint LuciaLC
- Saint Vincent and the GrenadinesVC
- SamoaWS
- SeychellesSC
- SingaporeSG
- TongaTO
- Trinidad and TobagoTT
- VanuatuVU
- United KingdomGB
- United States of AmericaUS
- South AfricaZA
Frequently asked questions about English translations
What is a sworn translation?▼
Is a sworn translator the same as a certified translator?▼
Who can make a certified Dutch–English translation?▼
Do I need a sworn translation for the IND?▼
How we know this
This page is based on Dutch Wbtv legislation, the official Rbtv register and publications by De Rechtspraak and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Specific English document requirements were verified with the relevant authorities in the destination countries.
By: Beëdigde Vertaling Online. Last updated on .
Sworn translation English
Rbtv-registered · accepted by every Dutch authority
More about the work of a sworn English translator
Want to know what a sworn English translator does, which Rbtv/Wbtv requirements apply, and how Beëdigde Vertaling Online selects your translator? Read our full explanation, with the acceptance guarantee and a price indication.
