Sworn Translators in Portugal vs. Brazil: Certification Requirements and Cost Differences

In today’s globalized world, accurate translations of legal and official documents are vital for cross-border activities, from immigration to business transactions. Certified translations ensure that documents like birth certificates, marriage licenses, or contracts are recognized by authorities in foreign jurisdictions. However, the processes and costs for obtaining such translations vary significantly between countries. This article compares the certification requirements and cost differences for sworn translators in Portugal and Brazil, two Portuguese-speaking nations with distinct systems for handling certified translations. By understanding these differences, individuals and businesses can make informed decisions when navigating legal translation needs.

Certification Requirements in Portugal

Unlike many countries, Portugal does not have an official designation for “sworn translators.” Instead, certified translations are provided by translation companies, notaries, or lawyers, with additional steps to ensure legal validity.

Process for Certified Translations in Portugal

The process for obtaining a certified translation in Portugal typically involves the following steps:  

Translation by a Qualified Translator: A professional translator, fluent in both the source and target languages, translates the document. The translator must ensure accuracy, as errors can lead to rejection by authorities.

Certification by a Notary or Lawyer: The translated document is presented to a notary or lawyer, who verifies the translator’s identity and confirms that the translation faithfully reproduces the original. This step involves drafting a declaration of accuracy.

Stamping and Signing: Both the original and translated documents are stamped and signed by the notary or lawyer and the translator, formalizing the certification.

Optional Apostille: For documents intended for international use, an apostille from the Attorney General’s Office may be required to authenticate the certification, particularly for countries party to the Hague Convention.

This multi-step process ensures that translations are legally recognized in Portugal, but the involvement of notaries or lawyers adds complexity and cost. Translation companies like Translayte offer certified translations accepted by Portuguese authorities, often coordinating the notarial certification process.

Entities Authorized to Certify

In Portugal, certified translations can be provided by:

Notaries: Through the Portuguese Notary Office or Civil Registry.

Lawyers and Solicitors: Registered with the Portuguese Bar Association, who have notarial powers to certify translations.

Translation Companies: Such as Multilingues21 Lda, which may issue their own certificates or arrange notarial certification.

Chambers of Commerce and Industry: Recognized under Decree-Law 244/92 for specific commercial documents.

The absence of a sworn translator designation means that the certification process is flexible but can vary depending on the accepting authority’s requirements.

Certification Requirements in Brazil

Brazil has a well-established system for sworn translators, known as tradutores públicos or tradutores juramentados. These professionals are the only ones authorized to provide certified translations, known as tradução juramentada, which are legally valid in Brazil.

Becoming a Sworn Translator in Brazil

To become a sworn translator in Brazil, an individual must meet stringent requirements:

Brazilian Citizenship: Only Brazilian citizens are eligible, though recent legislation (Law No. 14,195/2021) allows foreign residents to apply.

Public Examination: Candidates must pass a concurso público, a competitive exam organized by the state’s Board of Trade. The exam includes written and oral tests, assessing translation skills for documents like passports, legal deeds, or certificates.

Registration: Successful candidates are registered with the state’s Board of Trade, granting them authority to provide sworn translations nationwide.

These exams are infrequent, sometimes occurring only every 20 years, creating a limited pool of sworn translators, which can influence costs and availability.

Role and Responsibilities

Sworn translators in Brazil provide translations that are automatically recognized by public institutions, courts, and registries. Their translations must include their signature, stamp, and a declaration of accuracy, ensuring legal validity. They are responsible for translating a wide range of documents, including:

Birth, marriage, and death certificates;

Academic diplomas and transcripts;

Legal contracts and court documents;

Immigration and business documents;

The exclusivity of sworn translators in Brazil streamlines the process, as no additional certification is typically required.

Cost Differences

The costs of certified translations in Portugal and sworn translations in Brazil reflect their respective systems, with Brazil’s regulated fees contrasting with Portugal’s variable pricing.

Costs in Brazil

In Brazil, sworn translation fees are regulated by each state’s Board of Trade, ensuring consistency. Fees are calculated based on laudas, defined as 1,000 characters without spaces or approximately 25 typed lines. The fee table for São Paulo, as per Portaria Jucesp N° 106 (2021), provides the following rates, adjusted for 2024 UFESP (R$ 37.82):

Service Category	Description	Rate (R$ per lauda)
Common Texts	Passports, civil registries, IDs, licenses	75.64
Special Texts	Legal, technical, scientific, banking, certificates	105.90
Versions (to foreign language)	Common texts	93.79
Versions (to foreign language)	Special texts	130.15

For a standard document like a birth certificate, typically one lauda, the cost is approximately R$ 75.64 ($13.62 at 1 BRL = 0.18 USD). More complex documents, such as legal contracts, may require multiple laudas, increasing costs (ATPIESP).

Costs in Portugal

In Portugal, the absence of a regulated fee structure leads to variable pricing. Translation companies and notarial services set their own rates, often based on word count, page count, or document type. Additional fees for notarial certification further impact costs.

Based on available data:

Translation Fee: A minimum cost of €43.50 + 23% VAT (approximately €53.50 total) for short documents, as quoted by Acantho for Spanish to Portuguese translations (Acantho). English to Portuguese rates are likely similar, around €50–75 per document.

Notarial Certification: Fees range from €20–50 per document, depending on the notary or lawyer (NotaryOnline).

For a standard document, the total cost might range from €70–125 ($77–137.50 at 1 EUR = 1.1 USD). For example, a birth certificate translation could cost €50 for translation plus €30 for certification, totaling €80 ($88).

Cost Comparison

Country	Document Type	Estimated Cost (USD)	Notes
Brazil	Birth Certificate	$13.62	1 lauda at R$ 75.64
Brazil	Legal Contract	$18–36	1–2 laudas at R$ 105.90
Portugal	Birth Certificate	$77–88	€50 translation + €20–30 certification
Portugal	Legal Contract	$110–137.50	€75 translation + €25–50 certification

Brazil’s regulated fees make sworn translations more affordable, particularly for standard documents. Portugal’s costs are higher due to variable pricing and the need for notarial certification, which adds a significant expense.

The certification requirements and costs for sworn translators in Portugal and Brazil reflect their distinct legal and administrative systems. Brazil’s regulated system, with sworn translators authorized through public exams, offers predictable and generally lower costs. Portugal’s flexible but unregulated system, relying on translation companies and notarial certification, results in higher costs. By understanding these differences, individuals and businesses can choose the most cost-effective and compliant translation services for their needs, ensuring their documents are accepted by the relevant authorities.

For all your translation needs in Portugal or Brazil, trust Artlangs Translation. Our experienced translators and legal experts deliver accurate, certified translations tailored to local requirements. Contact Artlangs today for reliable, professional service.