Before translating
Which documents need an official translation?
There is no universal list. Civil, academic, migration, legal and business documents often require an official translation when the receiving institution needs to assess them in another language.
Personal and migration documents.
Birth and marriage certificates, background checks, identity records, employment letters and financial evidence are common examples. The visa category, destination country and authority determine which documents belong in the application.
Academic documents.
Universities and evaluation bodies may request diplomas, transcripts, degree certificates, grading scales or course descriptions. Some accept digital files while others require specific channels, originals or direct delivery.
Legal and business documents.
Contracts, powers of attorney, company certificates and administrative decisions may need an official translation depending on their intended use. Include relevant attachments, seals, signatures and reverse sides in the initial review.
Use the recipient’s checklist.
- Get the current official list of required documents.
- Check whether an apostille or legalization is also required.
- Confirm whether attachments and apostilles need translation.
- Check the required format, delivery channel and submission deadline.
Official sources.
This guide provides general information and does not replace the receiving institution’s current instructions or professional advice for your circumstances.
- Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — source 1 (Spanish)
- Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — source 2 (Spanish)
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