Sworn translators

A sworn translator is the holder of an office in public law who is, similarly to a notary public, empowered by the state to certify, to the extent specified in his or her professional certificate, the correctness of translations of documents translated by the translator himself or herself or by another person, the authenticity of copies of such translations, the authenticity of copies of documents to be translated and printouts from public registers.

A person who wants to become a sworn translator must take an exam the requirements and the procedure of which are established by the Minister of Justice. Any Estonian and EU citizen may take the sworn translator’s examination provided that the person has completed academic higher education and there are no circumstances known concerning him or her which prevent him or her from becoming a sworn translator.

Sworn translators are evaluated once every five years. Evaluation means verification of the professional skills of a sworn translator.

The Minister of Justice appoints a person who has passed the examination to office and issues a professional certificate to him or her. Prior to that, the applicant must take an oath of office before the Minister of Justice.

Why prefer a sworn translator to a notary?

• Unlike a notary who authenticates only the signature of a translator and does not verify the contents of the translation, a sworn translator certifies the authenticity and correctness of the translation in terms of its contents.
• Faster service than in a notary's office.

Why prefer a sworn translator to other translators?

• Quality – the skills and suitability of a sworn translator have been certified by the state.
• Liability – the professional liability of a sworn translator for the damage caused by the sworn translator has been provided by law.
• Faster service – in an ordinary translation agency documents are taken to a notary public for authentication after they have been translated, but a sworn translator authenticates his or her translations personally.

How much does the sworn translator's service cost?

• The fee charged by a sworn translator for certification of the correctness of a translation of a document is  3.15 euros per page.
• The fee charged by a sworn translator for certification of the authenticity of a copy of a translation of a document and for certification of the authenticity of a copy of a document to be translated is  3.15 euros per page.
• The fee charged by a sworn translator for the translation of a document or for editing a translation is subject to agreement.