LinguaVox
ISO 9001
ISO 17100
ISO 18587Birth and academic certificates, powers of attorney, company records and court documents can require a formal translation. Yet the word “certified” does not mean the same thing in every jurisdiction. For a procedure in Spain, the relevant question may be whether a translator sworn under the Spanish system is required.
What this work involves
For a UK institution, a certified translation may follow different requirements. We do not treat that as automatically interchangeable with a sworn translation in Spain. Ask the receiving organisation what it accepts and provide us with its instructions, including any requirement for a paper original, electronic signature or accompanying copy.
Documents and decisions
Our translation services cover ordinary business documents as well. If the case includes Basque, see the limits of our Basque translation service: we do not offer sworn translations into Basque.
Defining the right service
A useful quote begins with the complete source material, the target language and the purpose of the finished text. We also ask who will read it, where it will be used, which file format you need and whether an organisation has issued formal instructions. These details affect the workflow more than a word count on its own. If a document contains tables, embedded text or handwritten marks, we need to see them before confirming the scope.
Where several documents belong to one project, we check how they relate. A product name used in a brochure may also appear in a manual or on a presentation slide. Earlier approved translations and glossaries can help, but we review them against the current context rather than applying them without question. We raise unclear terms with the client while there is still time to make a consistent decision.
People, process and review
LinguaVox has worked in language services since 2000. Its certified systems include ISO 9001, ISO 17100 for translation services and ISO 18587 for full post-editing of machine translation output. Each standard concerns a particular process; a certificate does not remove the need to assess the individual assignment. We select the relevant workflow after examining the source material and the consequences of a mistake.
For specialist content, preparation includes reference files and terminology as well as a suitable professional. Review is planned around the agreed use of the text. When a source is inconsistent or a requirement is unclear, we seek clarification instead of hiding the doubt in fluent prose. This is particularly valuable when material will be revised, reused or read by more than one team.
Preparing the final files
The first step is to agree what the recipient actually needs, beyond the number of pages. We check the file structure, language direction, intended market and any existing terminology. If several teams will use the result, we identify who can answer questions about product names or organisational preferences. Clear decisions at this stage make later review more useful.
During production, queries are recorded and resolved with the context in view. Numbers, headings, tables and cross-references deserve attention alongside continuous prose. Where formatting is part of the task, we agree the final file type before work starts. We also distinguish a new translation from an update, a sworn document or a full post-editing assignment, because each requires its own checks.
Before delivery we review the agreed output against the brief and identify any points that need the client's confirmation. If documents will be revised again, approved terms and decisions can help keep future versions consistent. This approach is useful for companies publishing successive manuals, catalogues or multilingual communications.
Working from Bizkaia
Our head office is at C. Máximo García Garrido, 12, 1.º D, 48980 Santurtzi, Bizkaia. We coordinate work for clients in Bilbao and elsewhere without suggesting that we maintain an office at every place we serve. Documents can usually be sent and discussed online; office visits by businesses are arranged in advance. The local setting matters when a project involves Basque, manufacturing or an event in the Bilbao area.
Tell us about the language pair, deadline and final user at the outset. If your project includes a meeting, include the date, venue, working hours and approximate number of participants. We will explain what can be delivered, what further information is needed and how the work will be organised before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Is a sworn translation the same as a certified translation?
No single answer applies internationally. In Spain, a sworn translation is linked to the Spanish authorised translator system. A UK organisation may ask for a certified translation with its own wording. Confirm the receiving body and country before ordering.
Which documents are commonly submitted?
Civil and academic certificates, powers, contracts, company documents and some court materials are common examples. The document type alone does not settle the requirement. The receiving authority decides whether a formal translation is needed.
Can you provide a sworn Basque translation?
No. We do not offer sworn translations into Basque. Please ask the authority what languages and certification it will accept; we can then assess a separate available language combination if appropriate.
Do you need the complete original?
Usually yes. Stamps, marginal notes, reverse sides and annexes may matter to the receiving body. Send a legible copy of every page, then tell us whether the final translation must be delivered digitally or on paper.
How should I confirm the requirements?
Ask the organisation receiving the document for its current instructions, including language, certification, format and deadline. Forward that information with the source document. We will check what service can meet the stated requirements.