Documents that are to be used in Colombia require a special translation process. Official translations, or certified translations, are required for the documents to be legally valid in Colombia. As opposed to the Colombian consulates in the United States, some of which do not have this requirement, any documents that are to be submitted directly in Colombia must be completed by an official translator. In today’s article, we will discuss official translations for Colombia and when they are needed.
When submitting a document for translation, it is important to first understand if you will be submitting it directly in Colombia or through a Colombian Consulate in the United States. If you are submitting it directly in Colombia, it will need to be an official translation, which means that it has to be prepared by a government-authorized translator. When submitting to a Colombian consulate, it is necessary to ask for the requirements, as some consulates do not require this type of translation.
Certified translations are required for documents that are submitted in Colombia in any official capacity (i.e., to a government authority). Common uses are to request citizenship, purchase a property or legalize a marriage or divorce. In all of these cases, the documents must be translated to Spanish and certified by an official translator. Another important point to note is that foreign documents submitted in Colombia from a country that is a member of the 1961 Hague Convention will require an apostille. For more information about apostilles, click here.
Whether you are submitting a document at a Colombian consulate or directly in Colombia, it is important to understand the requirements for the submission to ensure your document is accepted. At CSH Translation, we can provide official translations for use in Colombia or at the Colombian Consulates in the United States. CSH Translation is also a proud translation partner of the Embassy of Colombia in Washington, D.C. For any questions, please contact us.