Why is the Legality of Sworn Translators Important?

Many people think that all translations are the same. However, for official documents, only the result from sworn translators is:

• Acknowledged by foreign embassies and institutions
• Admissible in court
• Accepted by government agencies and legal institutions

 

Documents such as birth certificates, diplomas & transcripts, Tax Identification Numbers, Business Licenses, Deed of Establishment, and company documents, powers of attorney, visas, scholarships, and foreign tenders; all need official and legal translations, not just general or nonsworn  document translations.

 

Not everyone can be a sworn translator. To be a sworn translator, one must:

1. Pass the Sworn Translator Qualification Examination (UKPT) which is usually organized by the Indonesian Translator Association (HPI) or the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.
2. Get sworn in by an authorized official, in this case the Director General of Legal Administrative Affairs.
3. Have an official decree or permit, which makes the translation legally recognized.

So, don’t be fooled by affordable translation services that claim to be “sworn” without proof of legality!

 

“Sworn translation services are crucial for those with needs involving foreign official entities such as state companies/agencies, as I have explained earlier. The credibility possessed by sworn translators gives the weight of legality in the results of their translations so that they can be trusted and accounted for. Usually, foreign official institutions like companies/state agencies do not want to accept translation results except those by sworn translators,” explained Abdul Halim.

 

 

When Ordinary Translations Are Not Recognized

Many clients come to Bahasa Global after previously hired general translation services and the translation results were rejected by foreign institutions. Why? Because the translation results:

1. Has no official signature & stamp
2. Did not include a statement of legality
3. Was not done by a legally recognized translator

This is why it is important to ensure that your official documents are translated by sworn translators that are registered and experienced in their field.

 

When asked if there are any translations that are not recognized, Abdul Halim replied, “Yes, but it depends on the parties involved. Translation results from translators who are not sworn are usually not recognized by foreign companies/agencies because they are considered unaccountable. However, for general purposes such as website articles or other non-official texts, the translation results from non-sworn translators are still recognized,” replied Abdul Halim (1/9).

 

How Does Bahasa Global Handle Sworn Translation Services?

Bahasa Global has become the official sworn translation partner for various government agencies, NGOs, and multinational companies. Some projects under our wing:

1. Translation of international tender documents for a certain State-Owned Enterprise working in the energy, financial, and sector
2. Translation of deeds and cooperation contracts for a multinational NGO
3. Legal translation of education & scholarship documents for an Asian-wide training

 

The advantages of Bahasa Global’s services are:

1. Certified & experienced sworn translator
2. Document formatting that is in accordance with the provisions of the receiving institution
3. Fast processing & guarantee of confidentiality
4. Available in multiple languages (English, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, etc.)

 

When Should You Use Sworn Translation? How to Utilize Sworn Translation Services?

You can use the services of a sworn translator for the following occasions when:

• You are applying for a scholarship or visa
• You are involved in a multinational legal contract
• You need documents that are recognized in court
• You are taking care of international business tenders or cooperation
• Your documents need to be safe, legal, and recognized

“Often, sworn translation services are needed by companies who want to collaborate with foreign companies. Agreement documents that have been prepared by their legal team need to be translated into a foreign language so that the other party in the agreement can understand. But, many individual clients also need sworn translation services. Usually, individuals who have an interest in working or other business abroad need to translate their official documents, such as diplomas and birth certificates, into a foreign language,” Abdul Halim told interviewer (1/9).

 

Here are the steps to utilize sworn translation services:

1. Choose an official and trusted sworn translator services provider, make sure they have legal standing and a valid certificate.
2. Submit original or scanned documents. Some documents may need to be legalized before being translated.
3. Discuss the target language and processing time. On average, it takes 1-3 business days, depending on the number of pages.
4. Receive the certified translation results, usually in the form of soft copy (stamped PDF) and/or hard copy.

“Sworn translation services are generally needed when we deal with official entities such as foreign companies/agencies,” Abdul Halim added.

 

Legality Cannot Be Overlooked

In a formal and multinational setting, a legally recognized translation is paramount. Utilizing the services of a sworn translator is not only about language accuracy, but about official recognition and legal trust.

It is not just about the translation of words, but also about the accuracy, legality, and credibility of your documents. Don’t let your important business be delayed just because you chose the wrong translation service!

So, if you need to translate legal documents accurately and lawfully, a sworn translator is the smart solution.

If you need the services of a trusted and professional sworn translator that have demonstrated the handling of many official projects, Bahasa Global is ready to be your reliable partner. Visit www.bahasaglobal.com for more information and consultation.