Requirements for certified translations in Switzerland
Certified translations in Switzerland are usually done by professional translators and can be certified by a notary, lawyer or other authorised body, depending on the purpose of the document. For legal, financial or official documents, hiring a qualified translator is essential to ensure the quality and accuracy of the translation.
Switzerland is a multilingual country with four official national languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Therefore, certified translations into and from these languages may be required.
UniTranslate is a global translation agency with many years of experience in producing professional translations. Our experienced translators are fluent in over 60 languages and are familiar with Swiss regulations and requirements for certified translations. Whether you need your documents translated into German, English, French, Rhaeto-Romanic or Italian, our team will usually provide you with accurate translations that are 100% accepted by the Swiss authorities within 24 hours.
In addition to translating your documents, we can also assist you with certification if required. Certification usually takes the form of a written statement attached to the translated document, delivered either as an electronic PDF file or in physical form. This certified translation can then be submitted with the original document for your visa, legal, business or school application.
We understand that confidentiality and data protection are of the utmost importance, especially when dealing with sensitive documents. We are committed to providing an efficient, secure and confidential translation service tailored to your individual requirements.
Please note that the specific requirements for certified translations in Switzerland may vary depending on the authority or institution. It is always advisable to check the current regulations with the relevant authorities or a trusted language service provider.
Requirements for certified translations in Switzerland
Below are some documents for which a translated certification may be required in Switzerland:
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Non-disclosure agreements (NDA)
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Deeds
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Birth certificates, marriage certificates or other types of certificates
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Notarial agreements
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Patents
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General Terms and Conditions of Sale
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Contracts
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Court judgements
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Diplomas, school reports and other documents
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Declarations in legal cases
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Legal opinion
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Articles of associations, statutes, or excerpts from the commercial register
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Protocols
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Legal guidelines
Where certified translations are required in Switzerland
In Switzerland, there are various official organisations and institutions that require certified translations:
Federal Office for Migration (FOM): The Federal Office for Migration is responsible for immigration regulations and the legal status of foreigners in Switzerland. Certified translations may be required for documents related to visa applications, residence permits and naturalisations.
Swiss courts: Swiss courts may require certified translations for legal documents such as court decisions, contracts and legal correspondence.
Federal Tax Administration (FTA): The Federal Tax Administration is responsible for the collection and enforcement of taxes. Certified translations may be required for financial documents such as tax returns, financial statements and invoices.
Swiss universities and colleges: Swiss educational institutions may request certified translations of educational documents such as diplomas, certificates and academic transcripts.
Municipalities, civil registry offices or migration offices: If you want to apply for Swiss citizenship or get married in Switzerland, you need a certified translation. Our experts know all the requirements (which vary depending on the canton and authority) and our translations are guaranteed to be recognised.
Our certified translations in Switzerland meet all these requirements and guarantee efficient, reliable and accurate translations for your personal and professional needs.
Security and confidentiality
At UniTranslate, we understand the importance of protecting your sensitive data and maintaining confidentiality throughout the translation process. To ensure the security of your data, we have implemented strict data protection measures:
Secure file transfer and encrypted communication channels for the secure exchange of documents and information.
Strict confidentiality agreements signed by all our certified translators and staff.
Regular security audits to identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with current data protection regulations.
We are committed to protecting your personal and business information so that you do not have to worry when using our certified translation services.
Our range of certified translations
Notarized translation
Notarized translations are the standard for Swiss Authorities. UniTranslate provides notarized translations . Notarized translations are often required for applications such as naturalization, marriage or entry of a company in the commercial register (company formation) in another country. Certified translations of documents, excerpts, judgements, diplomas and certificates are part of our daily work and we are happy to help you further.
Notarized translation with apostille
A notarized translation with apostille is required to submit a document created in Switzerland to a foreign authority. UniTranslate creates notarized translations with apostille for all countries in the Hague Convention.
Translation with office certification
UniTranslate's office certification is recognized by many universities, and Swiss as well as foreign authorities without having to obtain a notarization.
Certification by translators recognized by the consulate or by state-recognized translators
Some countries have not acceded to the Hague Convention. An apostille is therefore not possible. Please contact us if the target country of the translation is not a signatory to the Hague Convention.
Translation with qualified electronic signature
UniTranslate offers translations with a qualified electronic signature delivered via e-mail, which, according to ZertEs (Federal Law on Electronic Signatures), are equivalent to a translation with a stamp and signature. This means that the signatures can be verified on the portal by the Federal Council. We can deliver this type of translation quickly within 12 hours, so our clients can order and receive officially recognised translations by e-mail around the clock!
Translation by sworn translators
Translations by sworn translators are recognized by many countries even without further notarization. We also work with sworn translators, especially for translations into English. Contact us and we will be glad to solve your translation issue!
Legalization by consulates in Switzerland
If you want to submit a document created abroad to the Swiss authorities (e.g. birth certificate), it is often necessary to get an apostille for this document from the country of origin. We will then translate this document for you and notarize it so that you can submit it to the Swiss authorities.