Guide
Does Your Apostilled Document Need a Translation?
The apostille authenticates the signature on your document. Whether the document also needs translating is up to the country receiving it.
Quick answer
Often, yes. An apostille certifies the signature, capacity and seal on a document; it doesn’t translate it. Whether you need a translation — and what kind — is set by the authority receiving the document. Spain asks for a certified Spanish translation, Colombia an official Spanish translation, and Vietnam a certified Vietnamese translation.
Key takeaways
- An apostille doesn’t translate the document or vouch for its contents.
- The receiving authority decides whether a translation is needed and what kind.
- “Certified” and “sworn” translations aren’t the same; some countries only accept translators they recognize.
- Ask whether the apostille itself must be translated too; if so, translate after it’s attached.
- English-speaking destinations generally don’t require a translation.
On this page
What the apostille does and doesn’t cover
Under Article 5 of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature, the capacity of the person who signed and the seal on the document. It says nothing about the contents and doesn’t translate them. A U.S. apostille is in English, with the French title the Convention requires. See what an apostille looks like.
Certified vs. sworn translation
A certified translation comes with the translator’s signed statement that it is complete and accurate. A sworn translation is made by a translator officially appointed or recognized in the destination country. Which one you need depends on the receiving authority: some accept a certified translation made in the U.S., others only accept their own sworn translators. Ask before you order.
Official translation rules by destination
From the official requirements we’ve checked for FBI background checks:
| Destination | Official translation rule | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Spain (non-lucrative & telework visas) | Into Spanish by a certified translator | Read |
| Colombia (visas) | Official translation into Spanish (Resolution 5477, Art. 21) | Read |
| Vietnam (work permit) | Into Vietnamese, with certification (Decree 219/2025, Art. 5) | Read |
| China (work permit) | By a professional translation institution; for English documents the employer may translate | Read |
| Portugal (D7 / D8) | Not stated on the VFS Global U.S. checklists — confirm with VFS or the consulate | Read |
| South Korea (E-2 / F-4) | Not stated for the FBI check in the official requirements | Read |
Rules for other documents and other authorities can differ. Always confirm with the office that asked for the document.
Translate before or after the apostille?
Get the apostille on the original document first. If the receiving authority wants the apostille translated as well, the translation has to be made after the apostille is attached so it covers both. If they only need the document translated, order can be flexible — but translating last avoids paying twice if anything changes.
Getting it done together
We coordinate certified translation with your apostille or legalization order. Translations are quoted per document and language pair, usually within 24–48 hours. Use the checklist builder to see the full list for your document and country.
Frequently asked questions
Does an apostille need to be translated?
It depends on the receiving authority. The apostille follows a standard format with a French title and, on U.S. apostilles, English text. Some authorities ask for the document and the apostille to be translated; ask before you order.
What is the difference between a certified and a sworn translation?
A certified translation includes the translator’s signed statement of accuracy. A sworn translation is done by a translator officially recognized in the destination country. Some countries only accept sworn translations.
Does Spain require a translation of the FBI background check?
Yes. Spanish consulates ask for a translation into Spanish by a certified translator for the non-lucrative and telework visas.
Should I translate before or after the apostille?
After, if the apostille itself must be translated, so the translation covers it. Get the apostille on the original document first.
Do English-speaking countries require a translation?
Generally no. Destinations where English is an official language usually accept U.S. documents in English.
Official sources: HCCH — Apostille Convention, full text · Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles — Non-lucrative residence visa · Cancillería de Colombia — Resolution 5477 of 2022 · Government of Vietnam — Decree 219/2025/ND-CP (foreign workers) · Shenzhen Science, Technology and Innovation Bureau — Foreigner work permit materials · VFS Global USA (for Portugal) — Residency visa for retirement purposes (D7). Federal Apostille USA is a private service, not a government agency.
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