Frequent asked questions
1. I NEED A SWORN AND LEGALIZED TRANSLATION. HOW DO I PROCEED?
Very simply:
(1) Send me a scan (PDF) or a clear and readable photo of your document by e-mail to contact@chp-translations.be. No need to send the original document.
(2) Once I receive your document(s) by e-mail, I will send you a global and final estimate including the price of the service(s) you requested + the approximate delivery time.
(3) You sign the estimate or confirm it by e-mail with your agreement so that I can start the translation. Your translation starts the same day. Your translation will be executed by me and never outsourced! I guarantee the quality of my work.
(4) I will send you the sworn and legalized translation to your preferred address, ready to be used. You do not even need to move from your home or office!
2. HOW MUCH DOES A TRANSLATION COST?
The cost for the translation services varies and is based on the total number of source words, target words or the number of pages, depending on the translation service chosen. The costs for the translation will be adjusted, if necessary, according to the addition of sworn translations legalization fees, urgency of delivery, etc.
For example:
1. Calculation on the total number of source words (source language): typically for any textual content convertible into Word® (Websites, documents, contracts, legislation, memories, articles, etc.)
2. Calculation on the total number of target words (language to be translated): typically for any material that is not convertible into Word® (handwritten documents, official documents, text in the form of images, photos, scans or non-convertible PDFs).
3. Calculation on the number of pages: typically for any sworn, legalized, official documents (certificates, diplomas, attestations, deeds, Hague Apostille Convention).
The cost of your translation services will always be GLOBAL, you know in advance the total and exact cost of your translation before you place your order. Ask CHP TRANSLATIONS for a free personalized estimate.
3. HOW MUCH DOES A SWORN TRANSLATION COST?
A certified translation (commonly known as a sworn translation) is always calculated per page. This is because the expert sworn translator translates and certifies that the content of each page of your documents is in conformity by affixing his official stamp to each page of your document so that each page of your document is certified and valid as conforming to the original.
Only an expert sworn translator who has taken an oath before the Court of Appeal of his or her place of residence has the authority to certify your translated documents.
WARNING: Once certified by the sworn translator, the sworn translation must imperatively have the signature of the sworn translator legalized before our Tribunal de Première Instance (similar to the State Trial Court in the US or the County Court in the UK) or the FPS Justice in Belgium to be compliant and valid. This new standard is federal and has been in force since January 2020.
Before this date, the legalization of the signature of the sworn translator was only necessary if you needed to legalize your documents for presentation to a Belgian instance or authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), or in order to the Hague Apostille your documents for use abroad. Today, the legalization of the signature of the sworn translator (juror) is MANDATORY. You can consult this link for more information on this subject.
The cost of your sworn translation services will always be GLOBAL, you will know in advance through the free estimate the exact total cost of your sworn translation before you order. Ask CHP TRANSLATIONS for a free personalized estimate.
4. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DELIVER MY TRANSLATION?
The delivery time of the translation services depends on several factors. The most important one is the date you agree and/or make your payment to start the services.
The translation does not start without your written agreement and from this date we will calculate the time (depending on the number of words to be translated, the presence or not of a higher than usual technicality of the context to be translated, the need or not of a legalization of the document or the Hague Apostille, etc) necessary to complete the ordered translation services.
A sworn translation of a birth or marriage certificate, an attestation, a power of attorney or a contract, the Hague Apostille etc. can be done quite quickly (1-3 days) depending on the number of pages and the availability of your translator.
Of course, a long file of legal proceedings of high technicality or multiple documents whose pages are well loaded on word volume including several stamps to be reproduced (layout) will require a little more time.
5. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE THE TRANSLATOR'S SIGNATURE LEGALIZED?
The deadline for the legalization (mandatory) of the sworn translator's signature of your certified (sworn) translations is currently the following: 7 to 10 calendar days.
Not to be mistaken with the legalization of your document at the legalization services at the FPS Justice or with a request for the Hague Apostille at the FPS Foreign Affairs in order to use it abroad.
6. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SWORN AND CERTIFIED TRANSLATIONS?
The so-called "sworn" translation is, in fact, the certified translation. A translation which has been made and certified by the expert sworn translator (the one who has taken an oath before the Court of Appeal of his place of residence). The term "sworn translation" is popularly used, but incorrectly, as it would imply that your translation swear on oath! : ) That said, a "sworn" translation is a certified translation (made by the expert sworn translator).
7. I NEED TO USE MY BELGIAN DOCUMENTS ABROAD. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
Both the original document and the translation must be legalized.
To use your documents abroad, you must first have them translated by a sworn translator. Documents drawn up in French, Dutch or German that are intended for use abroad must be translated by a sworn translator (juror), who will also have his or her signature legalized on the translated documents before a Court of First Instance or by the National Register at the FPS Justice.
The translation must then be legalized by the legalization service at the SPF Justice.
Finally, the translation must be legalized or provided with the Hague Apostille by the FPS Foreign Affairs.
The document is then ready and legalized for use abroad.
Sometimes, depending on the country of origin, you also need legalization at the consulate and/or embassy of the country concerned. Ask the competent authority for more information.
For further details, and step-by-step procedure, check out THIS PAGE.
8. I NEED TO USE MY FOREIGN DOCUMENTS IN BELGIUM. WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?
In order to use your documents that are not in French, Dutch or German inside the Belgian territory, you must first have them translated by a sworn translator.
Documents drawn up in a foreign language that are intended to be produced and used in the Kingdom of Belgium must be translated by a sworn translator.
The original document and the translation are legalized by the official sworn translator's eID signature validated with the FPS of Justice.
9. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HAVE MY SWORN TRANSLATIONS LEGALIZED?
It depends on the organization towards which you will present your sworn documents to be legalized (FPS Justice, FPS Foreign Affairs, FPS Public Health, etc.).
10. WHAT MEANS TO LEGALIZE A DOCUMENT?
A legalization is the control of the signature(s), seal or stamp(s) affixed to the document and the competence to sign.
Here is an overview of the Belgian bodies or authorities and their authority to legalize signatures :
(1) FPS Justice > Belgian magistrate, authorized registrar, director of a penitentiary institution, FPS Justice official, Belgian sworn translator.
(2) FPS Foreign Affairs > ambassador, consul, alderman, mayor, Belgian civil registrar, governor of a Belgian province, notary.
(3) Municipal administration + FPS Foreign Affairs > local police commissioner, lawyer, president of the bar. (4) FPS Public Health + FPS Foreign Affairs > medical certificate signed by a doctor.
11. WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING ?
Translation is the art of transposing a written text from the original language (source language) into the destination language (target language). We do not translate words but ideas, and the contextual and cultural adaptation involved in a language is vital. The professional and specialized translator must have a perfect understanding of the original text and be familiar with the language and culture of his country. He must be able to adapt the context from one language to another, as well as all the nuances and subtleties involved. A translation must be accurate, precise and fluid, capable of conveying the original message.
Interpreting (or interpreting) is the art of restoring an oral, therefore spoken, speech from the original language (source language) to the destination language (target language). It also uses rhetoric, gestures and tones, depending on the context. The interpreter must therefore be able to transpose subtle nuances of meaning, linguistic registers and specialist terms into both languages (round-trip communication) and to reproduce them in real time. Communication is therefore immediate, unlike translation.
12. I NEED AN INTERPRETER. HOW DO I DO IT?
Several Belgian organizations request the presence of an interpreter during an interview or during a marriage contract at the commune, an interrogation or hearing at the Foreigners' Office, a consultation with a lawyer or notary in order to ensure the accuracy and perfect understanding of any communication.
It's simple and easy: You inform me of the place and time where you will need assistance and I will be there for you.
The cost of on-site interpreting services is calculated per hour + transportation or travel expenses (if necessary). The first hour is always charged in full. After that, you only pay in successive 30-minute periods that you start (according to your need).
Ask CHP TRANSLATIONS for a free personalized estimate.
13. I MASTERED THE LANGUAGE A BIT. I CERTAINLY DON'T NEED AN INTERPRETER!
Even if you feel mastering a little, or even more than that, the language spoken during your interview, hearing or consultation, be aware that the situation on day D and at real time will always be very different.
This, because several factors (stress, anxiety, intimidation, high level of technicality of the content of the conversation during a consultation with a lawyer or a notary, for example, a foreign or hostile environment, the presence of intimidating judicial or police authorities, and many other factors) can easily and quickly destabilize you and disadvantage your communication and understanding at a very important moment in your life.
Rest assured: the presence of an interpreter never "demeans" you in front of an audience, nor attests to any lack of linguistic knowledge on your part. The interpreter exists to help you, to assist you and that only (1) when you want (2) when you feel like that you have not understood everything during the narrative or (3) when you want to make sure that the exact message you need to convey has actually been conveyed without any mistakes, misunderstandings or inaccuracies.
The interpreter exists only for your own benefit, ensuring the accuracy of your communication in an interview that is undoubtedly unique and vital to you.
Ask CHP TRANSLATIONS for a free and personalized estimate. You will find that having an interpreter at your side to ensure reliability during your interview is quite useful and not inaccessible.
14. IN WHICH SITUATIONS CAN THE INTERPRETER BE WITH ME?
Wherever you want or need it!
Claudia H. P. HOOGEWIJS accompanies you during your :
(1) hearings and court hearings before a Low Court or a Court of Appeal;
(2) hearings at the Police Court and the Federal or Local Judicial Police;
(3) personal interviews and cross-examinations at the Foreign Office;
(4) personal interviews at the communal administration of your residence;
(4) personal interviews for Asylum Applications (International Protection) at the CGRA;
(5) interviews with social workers;
(6) hearings before the Council for Alien Law Litigation;
(7) consultations with your lawyer or notary;
(8) consultations with a psychologist or social worker;
(9) medical consultations in Hospitals and Health Care Centers;
(10) business meetings, reunions and others.
15. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GENERAL, TECHNICAL, SPECIALIZED, LEGAL, JUDICIAL TRANSLATION?
General" translations are translations of any general content or context which is not technical or specialized. It can be anything really (a note, article, recipe, conversation).
Technical or specialized translation: any specific content in a technical field specific to its art, science or know-how: law, medicine, architecture, tourism, marketing, music, cooking, commerce...). The specialized translator is supposed to have an in-depth knowledge of a specific subject or field, and to ensure the impeccable translation of extremely specific and highly technical contents and contexts that are not understandable to everyone.
Legal translation: any content specific to the field of law. Therefore, legal translation is a technical or specialized translation due to the technicality and specificity of its content.
Judicial translation: any legal content in a judicial context (procedural documents from courts and judicial bodies such as tribunals, courts of appeal, court of cassation). Therefore, it can be concluded that any legal translation is also legal (because it comes from the field of law), but not all legal translation is necessarily judicial (documents and texts not necessarily coming from judicial files such as contracts, legal articles, briefs, legislative documents).
16. FURTHER QUESTIONS?
Do not hesitate to contact me for any further information you may need.
Claudia H. P. Hoogewijs is a certified sworn interpreter translator, legal and judicial accredited translator, holding a degree in legal translation, as well as a lawyer (MA in Law). She can guarantee you an accurate and high-quality translation of all your documents with legal and/or judicial content.
