How Much Does a Sworn Translation from English into Spanish Cost?

Price is, together with turnaround time, the first thing most clients need to know before commissioning a sworn translation. The honest answer is that there is no official fixed fee — each sworn translator sets their own rates — but there are objective factors that determine the final cost. These are explained below so you know what to expect before requesting a quote.

What determines the price of a sworn translation

The price is calculated from a combination of objective factors, not a rough guess. The ones that matter most are:

• Document length. Pricing is usually per word or per page, with a minimum charge per order. A one-page birth certificate does not cost the same as a fifteen-page academic transcript.
• Document type. A standard certificate (birth, marriage, criminal record) is faster to translate than a commercial contract or a court judgment, which require specialised legal terminology.
• Format of the original. A clear, editable PDF is quicker to work with than a blurry photo of a handwritten document, which may require extra transcription time.
• Urgency. If the translation is needed within 24 hours instead of the standard turnaround, an urgency surcharge is normal.

What price range is typical?

For standard one-page personal documents (birth, marriage or death certificates, criminal record checks, diplomas), the price usually falls within a moderate range per document. Longer or more technical documents (full academic transcripts, deeds, annual accounts, contracts) are quoted according to their actual length, so the final price can vary considerably from one order to the next.

A "flat fee" quoted without having seen the document should be treated with caution: in sworn translation, the real price can only be calculated after reviewing the original.

How to request an accurate quote

To receive an accurate, surprise-free price, simply send the document (a photo or a PDF is enough) and indicate what it will be used for. Based on that, a fixed price and delivery time are confirmed, usually the same day.

Can I pay in instalments or only at the end?

Each translator handles this differently. In my case, the order is confirmed once the quote is accepted, and the sworn translation is delivered digitally, electronically signed, ready to submit to any authority.

Does the price include delivery?

Since the translation is signed electronically, it is delivered as a PDF with full legal validity, with no need for postal shipping or in-person collection — so there is no added courier cost, even for clients living outside Spain.