{"id":105137,"date":"2026-10-20T14:58:28","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:58:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/translinguoglobal.com\/sworn-translation-of-international-inheritances\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T14:58:28","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T12:58:28","slug":"sworn-translation-of-international-inheritances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/translinguoglobal.com\/en\/sworn-translation-of-international-inheritances\/","title":{"rendered":"Sworn translation of international inheritances"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sworn translation of international inheritances: Which documents to translate and in what order<\/b><\/h1>\n

If a relative has passed away leaving assets or a testament in another country, it is usually necessary to obtain a sworn translation of five groups of documents, in the following order: the death certificate, the certificate of last wills or its foreign equivalent, the will (or, if there isn’t one, the declaration of heirs), the succession document that estabishes who inherits, and the asset documents. Before ordering anything, it is advisable to confirm with the notary or lawyer which documents will be required and whether they must be apostilled, as the apostille must be placed before translating. <\/span><\/p>\n

We understand that people looking for a <\/span>sworn translation of international inheritances<\/b> are often going through a difficult time while dealing with administrative procedures. In this article, we explain the documentation process clearly and without unnecessary jargon. This does not replace legal advice: decisions regarding the inheritance are up to your notary or lawyer, while we ensure that your documents arrive translated and legally valid. <\/span><\/p>\n

At Translinguo Global, <\/span>an official translation agency,<\/b> we work with official translators certified by the Spanish MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and have over 10 years of experience in the sector. Our translators are familiar with all the documentation and procedures required to carry out your translation with the highest guarantees, ensuring its acceptance by the relevant authorities. <\/span><\/p>\n

Which documents to translate in an inheritance with assets abroad<\/b><\/h2>\n

An <\/span>inheritance with assets abroad<\/b> brings together documents from two or more countries, and each Spanish authority requests its own. The notary needs to verify the death and identify the heirs; the Land Registry, the title that allows the registration of real estate; and the Tax Agency, the data required to settle the tax. This table summarizes the most common requirements. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Document<\/b><\/td>\nWho requests it?<\/b><\/td>\nApostille?<\/b><\/td>\nSworn translation?<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Death certificate<\/span><\/td>\nNotary, Civil Registry, banks<\/span><\/td>\nYes, if outside the EU; no, between EU Member States<\/span><\/td>\nYes, unless an accepted multilingual form<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Certificate of last wills or equivalent<\/span><\/td>\nNotary<\/span><\/td>\nDepending on the issuing country<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Testament<\/span><\/td>\nNotary, Property Registry<\/span><\/td>\nYes, outside the EU; exempt if it is an EU succession document<\/span><\/td>\nYes, complete<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Declaration of heirs o foreign succession title<\/span><\/td>\nNotary, Registry, Tax Agency<\/span><\/td>\nSame as testament<\/span><\/td>\nYes<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
European Certificate of Succession<\/span><\/td>\nNotary, Registry, banks<\/span><\/td>\nNo<\/span><\/td>\nConfirm with the authority<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Deeds, titles and asset statements<\/span><\/td>\nRegistry, Tax Agency, banks<\/span><\/td>\nDepending on the case<\/span><\/td>\nYes, if they are in another language<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The general rule for <\/span>sworn translation of international inheritances<\/b> is simple: any document in anothe language presented to a Spanish authority requires a sworn translation, and every foreign public document requires an apostille or legalization unless exempt by law. European exeptions are explained below. <\/span><\/p>\n

Certificate of last wills: traducci\u00f3n y equivalentes en el extranjero<\/b><\/h3>\n

In Spain, the certificate of last wills indicates whether the deceased made a testament and before which notary. According to the <\/span> Ministry of Justice<\/span><\/a>, it can only be requested after fifteen business days have passed since the date of death. Many countries have equivalent registries, while others have no central registry at all, in which case the notary may request an alternative declaration or certification. In practice, the translation of <\/span>the certificate of last wills<\/b> is one of the first things the notary requests, because without it, it is impossible to know which testament is valid.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is a sworn translation required for the death certificate?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Almost always. The <\/span>death certificate with a sworn translation<\/b> opens the file at the notary, banks, and insurance companies. Between EU member states, the <\/span> Regulation (EU) 2016\/1191<\/span><\/a> eliminates the apostille and provides for multilingual forms that can avoid translation if the authority accepts them. We explain this in detail in our article about <\/span> sworn translations of death certificates<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Testate and intestate succession: in what order to translate<\/b><\/h2>\n

Whether or not a will exists changes the documents that must be gathered, although the sequence of <\/span>sworn translation of international inheritances<\/b> is similar. Translating in the correct order prevents paying twice for documents that might later change and allows the notary to move forward while the others arrive <\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Death certificate<\/b>, apostilled if applicable.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Spanish certificate of last wills<\/b> and its foreign equivalent.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Testament<\/b>, as an authorized copy; or, without the testament, the declaration of heirs.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Succession title <\/b>that verifies the heirs or the executor.<\/span><\/li>\n
  5. Asset documentation<\/b>: deeds, bank certificates, and valuations.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Aspect<\/b><\/td>\nTestate succession<\/b><\/td>\nIntestate succession<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Central document<\/span><\/td>\nTestament<\/span><\/td>\nDeclaration of heirs or equivalent<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Foreign examples<\/span><\/td>\nWill with a grant of probate<\/span><\/td>\nLetters of administration, Erbschein<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Documentary risk<\/span><\/td>\nThat a later testament exists<\/span><\/td>\nInsufficient proof of kinship <\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Added documents<\/span><\/td>\nAuthorized copy and registry of testaments<\/span><\/td>\nBirth and marriage certificates<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    Does a sworn translation of a will need to be full?<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Yes. The <\/span>sworn translation of a will<\/b> includes the entire document: clauses, notarial certificates, stamps, marginal notes and the apostille itself. Translating only the clauses that seem relevant is a frequent mistake, as the notary needs to verify the formal validity of the complete document. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Apostille, legalization, and European Certificate of Succession<\/b><\/h2>\n

    The apostille certifies the authenticity of the signature on a public document within the countries party to the<\/span> Hague Convention<\/span><\/a>; in other countries, legalization through diplomatic or consular channels is required. In both cases, the apostille or legalization must be placed first, and the <\/span>sworn translation of international inheritances<\/b> is done afterward, including it.<\/span><\/p>\n

    We have explained the differences in our articles on how to<\/span> apostille and legalize foreign documents<\/span><\/a> and on the<\/span> legalization of foreign documents in Spain<\/span><\/a>. Within the EU, the landscape changes: the<\/span> Regulation (EU) n.\u00ba 650\/2012<\/span><\/a> applies to deaths occurring as of August 17, 2015, in all member States except Denmark and Ireland, and its article 74 excludes legalization and similar formalities for succession documents issued under its framework.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Does the European Certificate of Succession avoid the sworn translation of international inheritances?<\/b><\/h3>\n

    It significantly reduces it, but it does not always eliminate it. The <\/span> European e-Justice Portal<\/span><\/a> explains that the certificate is issued by the authority handling the succession and is recognized in all member States without any special procedure. It is a standardized form, but the free-text sections or accompanying documents may require a translation, so it is advisable to check with the notary or the registry before considering the matter resolved. For more general information, visit the section on <\/span> successions of the e-Justice portal.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

    What we see in international inheritance files<\/b><\/h2>\n

    Before quoting a <\/span>sworn translation for international inheritances<\/b> we review the entire file. These are the issues that cause the most delays in cases and the mistakes we see repeated by families, notaries, and administrative agencies. <\/span><\/p>\n

    Documentation that is often missing<\/b><\/h3>\n