Apostille and sworn translation cost
We handle the full package: apostille on your document plus a sworn translation into the language you need, delivered ready for submission abroad. You send us a scan or the original, we confirm the issuing authority, prepare the legalization route, arrange the certified translation, and return a document set built to the requirements of the receiving institution — which determines acceptance.
Before getting into the details that make every case different, here is how the cost is built. Combining an apostille with a sworn translation has several separate components, and the total depends mainly on which country’s authority issues the apostille and how much text needs translating. Only the government fees below are official tariffs; translation, handling and shipping are private-service prices that vary by provider and case:
- Apostille government fee alone: often free or nominal. Spain’s Ministerio de Justicia charges €0 for the apostille as an official procedure — it is not a paid government service. The US Department of State charges $20 for a federal apostille (documents issued by a US federal agency, such as the FBI). Many US state Secretaries of State charge $10–$20 per document for state-level apostilles.
- Sworn/certified translation: a private-service price that depends on the language pair, the translator’s certification body and document length (a short certificate costs less than academic transcripts or court judgments, which are usually billed per page or per word).
- Agency handling fee, if you use a service instead of doing it yourself: a private-service fee, not a government charge, covering document review, submission, tracking, and delivery; it varies by provider.
- Shipping, domestic or international courier: a private courier cost that depends on destination and speed.
Putting the full package together — apostille + sworn translation + agency handling + shipping — the total depends on the case: our agency quotes are private-service prices (not government charges) and are higher for an expedited full-service package (fingerprinting preparation, federal apostille filing among the government’s published channels, and rush translation, as is common with FBI background checks for Spain visas). The US government’s federal apostille fee is a fixed $20 and the Department of State sells no general paid expedite. Because every case differs in document type, destination country, and urgency, private-service amounts cannot be fixed in advance — you get an exact price for your specific file before any work begins. Request your apostille and sworn translation cost estimate through our criminal record certificate service page or the contact form below.
What is included in the service
When you order the combined apostille and sworn translation package, the work covers:
- Verification of your document and confirmation of which authority must issue the apostille (for example, the Ministerio de Justicia, Secretaría de Estado, Consulado, FBI, or Foreign Office, depending on where the document was issued).
- Submission of the document to the competent authority and collection of the apostilled original.
- Sworn translation performed by a certified translator authorized in the destination country.
- Binding of the translation to the apostilled document into a single set — the receiving authority decides whether the document and translation meet its requirements.
- Delivery of scanned copies during processing and dispatch of the final set by courier.
What we need from you
To start, provide:
- A clear scan or photo of the document (the original may be required later, depending on the issuing country’s rules).
- The country where the document will be submitted.
- The target language for the sworn translation.
- Your preferred deadline, if the receiving institution has set one.
- Contact details for the quote and status updates.
If you are unsure about any of these points, send what you have — our team will identify the missing details and tell you exactly how to obtain them.
How the process works
Step 1 — Quote. You submit your document details through the website. We assess the issuing authority, destination country, and translation volume, then reply with a fixed price and timeline for your case.
Step 2 — Confirmation. Once you approve the quote, we begin. No hidden additions later: the quoted figure covers the full scope described above.
Step 3 — Apostille. We submit the document to the relevant authority, monitor its progress, and collect the apostilled original.
Step 4 — Sworn translation. A certified translator prepares the sworn translation, which is legally bound to the legalized document.
Step 5 — Delivery. You receive scans for review, then the finished set by courier — to your address or directly to the institution requesting it.
When this service will not fit your case
The apostille and sworn translation route does not apply in every situation:
- The Apostille Convention does not apply between the issuing and destination countries. Whether consular legalization is then required depends on the issuer, the recipient and any bilateral agreements or exemptions between the two countries — some document types have routes other than embassy legalization. We can advise on the specific route for your case and quote it separately.
- The document is not eligible for apostille. Some private letters, drafts, or unofficial copies cannot be legalized. You may first need an official duplicate or a reissued document from the original issuer.
- The receiving institution demands a different certification. Occasionally a university, employer, or immigration office requires notarization or a specific translator accreditation rather than a sworn translation. Tell us their exact requirement and we will match it.
- The document contains errors or mismatches in names. Discrepancies between your passport and the document can cause rejection abroad. Fixing these at the source first saves time and money.
In each of these cases, contact us anyway — describe your situation, and we will outline the correct alternative procedure before you spend anything.
FAQ
How much does an apostille with sworn translation cost?
Our agency quotes are private-service prices, not government charges, and are higher if you need expedited processing of what the private side controls — handling, courier and rush translation (for example, for a Spain visa deadline). The U.S. Department of State charges a fixed $20 government fee per federal document and publishes its own processing channels (standard mail within five weeks; walk-in service limited to qualifying travel) — it does not sell a general paid expedite, so no agency can simply pay the government to rush a federal apostille. Most US state apostilles cost $10–$20. The bulk of the cost is the sworn translation and, if you use one, the agency’s handling fee. The exact price still depends on the type of document, the authority that must issue the apostille, the destination country, the length of the text to translate, and the urgency you need. Send us your document details and you will receive an exact, fixed quote for your case.
How long does the whole process take?
Timing depends on the same factors as cost: the workload of the issuing authority, whether the original document is required, and the volume of translation. If your institution has given you a deadline, mention it in your request and we will tell you honestly whether it is achievable before you commit.
Do I need to send the original document?
It depends on the issuing country and the authority involved. Some authorities accept working from a scan initially but require the original for stamping; others work differently. After reviewing your case, we will state clearly whether an original is needed and how to get it to us safely.
Is a sworn translation valid in any country?
A sworn translation is valid only in the country whose certification system the translator belongs to. That is why we ask for the destination country upfront — it determines which translator we assign. Using the wrong type of certification is one of the most common reasons documents get rejected abroad.
Is the apostille itself expensive?
Usually not. Many governments treat the apostille as a low-cost or free administrative act rather than a paid service. Spain’s Ministerio de Justicia issues apostilles at no charge (€0). The US Department of State charges $20 for a federal apostille, and most US state Secretaries of State charge $10–$20. What actually drives the total cost of your case is the sworn translation and, if you use one, the agency fee for handling the paperwork — not the apostille fee itself.
Can I order only the apostille or only the translation?
Yes. Both services are available separately. However, ordering them together means we coordinate the order with the receiving institution’s requirements (including whether the translation must cover the apostille), which avoids redoing work if the receiving institution requires the translation to follow the apostille.
What if my document was rejected abroad?
Send us the rejection notice. In most cases the problem is identifiable — wrong authority, missing certification, or a name discrepancy — and we will tell you what correction is needed and what it involves before starting anything.
Get your exact quote now
You came here looking for a number, and the honest answer is that the right number depends on your document. Getting it takes one step: send us a scan and your destination country, and we reply with a fixed price and timeline — no obligation, no surprises later.
Start through our criminal record certificate service if your document is a police clearance certificate, or use the general request form on the site for any other document type. Want more background first? Read our guide on how the apostille process works and our overview of when a sworn translation is required — then come back and request your quote.