Sworn Translation for Spain: Canadian Applicants
Official sworn translations for Spain, handled personally by Alba Fernández Carrasco, MAEC-certified sworn translator-interpreter (Commission No. 8981). Fixed per-page pricing, digitally signed PDFs, and a simple direct process for Canadian applicants preparing documents for Spanish visas, residency, nationality, and official procedures.
- Fixed price from €37/page
- 24–72 hour turnaround
- Rush service available
- Pay after delivery
- Digitally signed PDF
- Handled personally by Alba
Looking for a certified translation for Spain from Canada?
In Canada, “certified translation” is the term most people use when they need an official translation. The problem is that Spain does not use that term. For Spanish visas, residency applications, and other official procedures, what Spain requires is a sworn translation — prepared by a translator officially appointed in Spain by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A general certified translation from a Canadian translation agency is a different product. It is not the same as a sworn translation for Spain and will not be treated as equivalent by Spanish consulates or immigration authorities.
Canadian applicants often start with terms like official translation for Spain or certified translation for Spain. For Spanish visas and official procedures, what is usually required is a sworn translation carried out by a translator authorized in Spain. Read the terminology guide to see how those terms relate to Spain’s sworn translation requirement →
RCMP criminal record checks and apostilles for Spain
Canadian applicants applying for a Spanish visa or residency typically need to provide an RCMP criminal record check (also called an RCMP criminal record suspension or vulnerable sector check depending on context). For use in Spain, this document must be:
- Apostilled — since January 2024, Canada is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, meaning Canadian documents can now be apostilled for use in Spain and other member countries. The apostille is issued by Global Affairs Canada or the relevant provincial authority depending on the document type.
- Sworn-translated into Spanish — by a MAEC-certified sworn translator officially appointed in Spain. The sworn translation covers both the RCMP check and the apostille page together as one complete package.
Do not separate the apostille from the RCMP check before sending for translation. Send the full apostilled package together so the sworn translation reflects the complete official document set.
See the dedicated RCMP translation page →Which Canadian documents usually need sworn translation for Spain
The documents most commonly needing sworn translation for Canadian applicants include:
Criminal records & police checks
RCMP criminal record checks and the apostille attached to them. Required for most long-stay visa types.
Apostilles
The apostille page must be translated together with the main document. Do not separate them.
Birth & marriage certificates
Civil documents issued in Canada need sworn translation if not already in Spanish. Required for nationality, pareja de hecho, and family-related procedures.
Financial & employment documents
Bank statements, pension letters, employment contracts, and income documents. These are generally translated but not apostilled.
Medical certificates
Required for most long-stay visa types. If not already in Spanish, sworn translation is needed.
Academic records
Diplomas, transcripts, and other academic documents for student visas or homologation procedures in Spain.
Certified translation vs sworn translation for Spain: what Canadian applicants need to know
This is the terminology distinction that matters most for Canadian applicants preparing Spain documents:
- ✓ Sworn translation for Spain — prepared by a translator officially appointed by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAEC). Accepted by Spanish consulates, immigration authorities, and official bodies. This is what I provide.
- ✗ Certified translation from a Canadian agency — a translation accompanied by a statement from the translator or company. Common in Canada for immigration and legal use, but not the format Spanish authorities require.
When your Spanish consulate checklist says “official translation,” it means a sworn translation by a translator authorized in Spain.
Fixed pricing, clear from the start
Translation is charged at a fixed per-page rate. No quote required to understand the cost.
Standard
€37 per page
Typical turnaround: 24–72 hours
Rush
€55 per page
12-hour turnaround
In most cases, scanned files or digital PDFs are enough. No need to mail originals. You receive a digitally signed and stamped PDF prepared for official use in Spain. You pay after delivery.
See full pricing and process →How the process works from Canada
-
Send your documents
Upload scanned copies or digital PDFs. If your document has an apostille attached, scan the full package together — do not separate the apostille from the main document.
-
Receive your sworn translation
Your translation is prepared personally by Alba and delivered as a digitally signed and stamped PDF accepted for official use in Spain.
-
Pay after delivery
You only pay once your translation has been delivered and reviewed.
Frequently asked questions from Canadian applicants
Is a Canadian certified translation enough for Spain?
No. Spanish authorities require a sworn translation prepared by a translator officially appointed in Spain. A general certified translation from a Canadian translation company is not the same format and will not be accepted as equivalent. For Spain, you need a sworn translation. See the full explanation →
Does my RCMP criminal record check need translation for Spain?
Yes. If your RCMP criminal record check is part of a Spanish visa or residency application, it must be apostilled and then sworn-translated into Spanish by a MAEC-certified translator. The sworn translation covers the full apostilled package. See the RCMP translation page →
Does the apostille also need to be translated?
Yes. When the apostille is attached to your RCMP check or other official document, it is part of the complete official package being submitted to Spain. It should be translated together with the main document. Do not separate them when sending for translation. See the apostille translations page →
Do birth and marriage certificates from Canada need sworn translation for Spain?
Yes. If Canadian civil records such as birth certificates or marriage certificates form part of your Spain visa, nationality, or civil registration application and are not already in Spanish, they need sworn translation for official use in Spain.
How do I get an apostille on a Canadian document?
Since January 11, 2024, Canada is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. Canadian public documents can now be apostilled for use in Spain through Global Affairs Canada (for federal documents) or the relevant provincial authority. Contact the issuing body of your specific document for guidance on the correct apostille route.
Can I send scanned documents from Canada?
Yes. A clear PDF scan is sufficient in most cases. There is no need to mail physical originals. The finished sworn translation is delivered as a digitally signed PDF prepared for official use in Spain.
What if my consulate checklist says “official translation”?
If your consulate checklist uses the term “official translation,” it is almost certainly referring to a sworn translation by a translator officially appointed in Spain. That is the standard Spanish authorities accept. A general certified translation from a Canadian company is not the same thing.
Related services
- RCMP Criminal Record Check Translation for Spain
- Apostille Translation for Spain
- Certified Translation vs Sworn Translation for Spain
- Digital Nomad Visa Translations
- Non-Lucrative Visa Translations
- Student Visa Translations
- Birth Certificate Translation
- Marriage Certificate Translation
- Pricing & Process