1 - What is a public official translation (sworn)?
It is the one that can only be performed by a professional who has been approved in a public contest and appointed by the Board of Trade of his state. It is required for official documents, which must be recognized by official authorities as well, both abroad and in Brazil, such as international contracts, powers of attorney, rogatory letters, birth, marriage, death certificates, driver's licenses, passports, etc..

2 - How can one become a sworn translator?
He must sit a contest sponsored by his state's board of trade, be approved and be registered in that board.

3 - When do these contests happen?
The state which needs to complement the board of its translators, promotes a contest, whose announcement is published in the official media of circulation. Only residents for over two years of that state can participate in the contest with no need of diplomas, qualifications, etc.., Only evidence of good stand is demanded. The candidate must be fully fluent in both languages: Portuguese and the one for which he has applied to sit for.

4 - And can a translator be transferred from a state Board of Trade to another state one?
Yes, provided there are vacancies for the language that he is qualified in the state for which he wants to transfer; and receive the approval from the Board of Trade of that state.

5 – Then, his translation is only valid in that particular state?
No, the translator respects the rules of the board of his state, but his translation is valid throughout the national territory, as well as in all countries whose language he is qualified in.

6 - What is the difference between an informal and a sworn translator?
The informal one is not qualified to translate and sign official documents that require sworn translation.

7 – Why should one prefer a sworn translator even for simple informal translations?
Because this translator is highly qualified, having passed rigid examinations and having more practice and knowledge in the area.

8 - What is a Commercial Interpreter?
The Commercial Interpreter has the same role as the translator, but only practices it orally, interpreting weddings, lectures, conferences, disputes between contractors, serving as an intermediary for negotiations and even in police interrogations.

9 - How can I know the price of a sworn translation or interpretation?
There is a table of JUCEMG which governs prices and deadlines for translations and interpretations. Please click here if you want to see this table.

10 – Are the prices and deadlines for informal translation the same?
No, each translator is free to establish his price and terms for this type of translation. It depends on the type, difficulty and time spent with the document.

11 - What is a standard translator's page?
It is a text containing 1,100 characters including spaces. The sworn translation also contains an introduction, which qualifies the translator and a closing, which recognizes the faithfulness to the translated text. This adds around 900 characters with spaces to each document.

12 - Only the original document can be translated?
Originals, photocopies, certified photocopies, the facsimiles and even documents received by electronic file (PDF) can be translated. However, in practice, the translator receives the PDF document (scanned), makes an estimate of the price, receives approval, advances the service and compares it with the original one, brought by the owner of the document when he comes to pick the translation up, in order the original one or certified photocopy can receive the stamp and signature of the translator. When this is not made, the translator includes a remark in his translation defining the way in which the document was received.

13 - Is there any difference among the English languages spoken in the U.S., England, Australia, New Zealand, etc..?
There are some minor differences among expressions and regionalisms, spellings, as well as there also exist within Brazil and among countries speaking Portuguese. The translator, however, is perfectly able to adapt these rare expressions to serve the country the translation is intended to.

14 - What does the Code of Civil Procedure say?
"Documents written in a foreign language can only be attached to the records when accompanied by a vernacular version signed by a Sworn Translator."