Can a U.S. Translation Be Used Abroad? Requirements by Country
Which countries accept a certified translation made in the U.S., and which insist on their own sworn translators
In short: It depends on the country. Some, like Colombia, accept a translation made in the U.S. if the translation is apostilled. Italian consulates in the U.S. accept a correct Italian translation and certify it themselves. Others, like Spain, require a sworn translator on their own register, and countries such as Germany and Brazil expect the translation to be made in that country. We translate, notarize and apostille where a U.S. translation works, and tell you plainly where it won't.
The most expensive translation mistake is paying for one the receiving country won't accept. Before you order, find your country below. The answer usually falls into one of three groups:
- A U.S. translation works, sometimes with a notarized certificate and an apostille on the translation.
- A sworn translator is required: someone officially appointed by that country, who may be able to work remotely.
- The translation is made in that country after your documents arrive. Here what you need from the U.S. is a correct apostille on the original.
Translation requirements by country
| Country | Can a U.S. translation be used? | What's usually required | What we do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | Yes, at Italian consulates in the U.S. | The Chicago consulate says U.S. vital records can be translated by anyone who writes correct Italian; the consulate then certifies the translation. The apostille itself is not translated. | Italian translation of your records; Illinois apostille for Illinois records. Italy guide |
| Colombia | Yes, if the translation is apostilled | Colombia's Foreign Ministry accepts translations made abroad when they are apostilled in the country where they were made. The original document must be apostilled too. | Spanish translation, notarized certificate and Illinois apostille in one order. Colombia guide |
| Spain | Sworn translation required | Spanish consular requirements call for a traducción jurada by a sworn translator on the register of Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The apostille is translated unless it already includes Spanish. | We arrange the sworn translation through a translator on Spain's register. Spain guide |
| Ecuador | Usually yes, if apostilled — confirm | Guidance we reviewed says translations made outside Ecuador are accepted when the translation is apostilled; otherwise a new translation is made in Ecuador. | Spanish translation with notarized certificate and Illinois apostille. |
| Portugal | Often not needed | Portugal's public administration accepts documents in English, French and Spanish without translation. Where one is needed, it can be certified by a Portuguese notary, registrar, lawyer or solicitor, or the Portuguese consulate in the issuing country. | Apostille of your original; a translation usually isn't needed for English documents. |
| Mexico | Often not needed at the consulate | Mexican consulates generally don't ask for a translation of documents issued in English. Procedures inside Mexico (such as registering a foreign record) use a perito traductor authorized by a Mexican court. | Apostille if your office asks for one; translation usually isn't needed for the consulate. |
| Germany | No — translated in Germany | Germany's Federal Foreign Office says translations should be done by a sworn or certified translator in Germany, and translations cannot be apostilled. | Apostille of your original, so your German translator can work from it. |
| Brazil | No — translated in Brazil | Brazil's Federal Police says foreign documents, even apostilled, need a sworn translation (tradutor juramentado) that can only be done in Brazil. | Apostille of your original. |
| France | Usually no — confirm | French authorities generally want a translator sworn before a French court of appeal, or one on a French consulate's approved list. | Apostille of your original. |
| Netherlands | Usually no — confirm | Dutch sworn translations come from translators on the Dutch register (Rbtv). | Apostille of your original. |
| Costa Rica | Usually no — confirm | Guidance we reviewed says documents must be translated by an official translator in Costa Rica. | Apostille of your original. |
| Argentina | Usually no — confirm | Argentine immigration generally requires a public translator registered with an Argentine translators' college. | Apostille of your original. |
| Panama | Usually no — confirm | Panamanian immigration generally requires a Panamanian licensed public translator. | Apostille of your original. |
| Peru | Usually no — confirm | Official use in Peru generally calls for a Peruvian traductor público juramentado. | Apostille of your original. |
| China | Usually no — confirm | Chinese translations are usually made after arrival by an approved translation company in China. | Apostille of your original. |
| Greece | Usually no — confirm | Greek authorities generally use the Greek Foreign Ministry's translation service or a Greek lawyer. | Apostille of your original. |
How to use this table
- Apostille the original first in most cases. See apostille before or after translation.
- Ask the receiving office one question: "Do you accept a certified translation made in the U.S., and does it need to be notarized or apostilled?"
- Send us the answer with your document. We quote the right option, or tell you if you're better served by a translator in the destination country.
Why people choose Efficient Biometrics for documents going abroad
- Translation, notary and apostille in one order. We translate, have our certificate signed before an Illinois notary, and take it to the Illinois Secretary of State for the apostille. One order, one point of contact.
- Certificates anyone can verify. Every Certificate of Translation Accuracy carries a QR code and a unique reference and code. Scanning it opens our verification page, which confirms the certificate is genuine and how many pages it covers, without showing any personal details.
- Tamper-evident paper sets. Certificate, source copy and translation are bound together, initialled on every page and sealed with a serial-numbered tamper-evident sticker.
- Honest answers on sworn translations. If your country only accepts its own sworn translators, we tell you up front rather than sell you a translation that will be refused.
- A real office. 682 Illinois Route 59, Naperville, with an in-house notary and our own apostille service. Call or text 847-436-5222 before walking in.
- Careful with your documents. Uploads are encrypted, never sent by email, and deleted 90 days after delivery.
Get a quote
Upload a clear scan or phone photo through our secure quote form and tell us the destination country. We confirm what that country needs and quote before any work begins. Certified translation starts from $45 per page, including our signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy. A page is up to about 250 words; dense or technical documents may be quoted higher. Standard turnaround is 48 hours, with rush as quick as 12 hours. Notarization, Illinois apostille and sworn translations are quoted with your order. Questions? Call or text 847-436-5222.
Requirements change and can differ by consulate, office and purpose. This guide reflects what official sources said when we last reviewed it (October 2026); always confirm with the office that will receive your documents. Our certificate attests to the accuracy of the translation, not to the authenticity of the original document. This is general information, not legal advice.
Related guides
- Can a U.S. translation be used abroad? Requirements by country
- Apostille before or after translation?
- Certified vs. notarized vs. sworn translation
- Can a translation be apostilled?
- Do I need to translate the apostille?
- Certified translation service
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a translation made in the U.S. be accepted abroad?
Sometimes. Colombia accepts one if the translation is apostilled, and Italian consulates in the U.S. accept a correct Italian translation and certify it. Spain requires a sworn translator on its own register, and Germany and Brazil expect translations to be made in that country. Always confirm with the receiving office.
Which countries require a sworn translator?
Spain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Brazil and several Latin American countries use sworn or official translators for official documents. In some of them the translator must be in that country.
How do you count a page for a translation quote?
A page is up to about 250 words of source text. Dense or technical documents can take more work, so they may be quoted higher; you always get the price before any work begins.
How long does a certified translation take?
Standard turnaround is 48 hours for most documents, and rush turnaround as quick as 12 hours is available. Notarization, apostille, sworn translations and shipping add time; you get a due date with your quote.
Can you tell me what my country needs before I pay?
Yes. Tell us the destination country and the office receiving the documents when you request a quote, and we'll confirm the right option before any work begins.