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Who is a sworn translator?
A sworn translator is a translator who has documented their language proficiency and taken an oath before a notary, gaining authority for their translations to be officially certified at that notary's office. The oath is recorded under the Notaries Law and the relevant regulations; this document is called an oath record.
There is no central examination or single official register for sworn translators in Türkiye; their authority is established before a notary.
How do you apply?
Documents demonstrating language proficiency are presented when applying to the notary:
- A diploma from a department in the relevant language, such as translation and interpreting, language and literature, or language teaching
- Or examination results and educational documents demonstrating proficiency
- Identity and residence details
- Other documents considered necessary by the notary
If the notary considers the documents sufficient, the translator takes an oath and the oath record is issued. Acceptance criteria can vary between notaries; the definitive list should be obtained from the notary receiving the application.
The scope of authority
An oath record takes effect before the notary that issued it: a notary certifies only translations by a translator whose oath is recorded there. A translator wishing to work with multiple notaries takes a separate oath with each.
This arrangement also explains a frequent customer question: the translation is certified at the notary where the translator is registered; it cannot be certified at any notary.
How the profession works in practice
A sworn translator's stamp and signature give the translation official standing; notarial certification is a separate, optional further stage. Which type an institution accepts varies.
Sworn translators working with agencies join the workflow by registering their oaths with the notaries the agency works with. Specialist subject areas such as law, medicine, and technical fields remain central to professional development.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a single document called a sworn translator certificate?
There is no single nationwide certificate; authority is based on the oath record issued by a notary and is valid before that notary.
For which languages can you become a sworn translator?
It is possible for any language in which proficiency can be documented. Evidence of proficiency may be harder to provide for rare languages, so you should ask in advance which types of document the notary will accept.
This content is for information purposes. The documents and procedures required by institutions may change; we recommend confirming the requirements with the relevant institution before applying.
