Apostille first in the country of origin, translate afterwards in Uruguay. Reversing that order is the mistake that costs the most time and money, because a translation done before the apostille does not cover the apostille stamp and has to be redone. And there is more: each Uruguayan body has its own translation rule, and they are not the same.
Here is who can translate, the correct order, and the specific rules for each procedure.
What a sworn translation is and who can do it
A sworn translator (traductor público) is a university-trained professional regulated by Law 20.305. They are the only person authorised to validate sworn translations and to act as interpreter and translator in judicial proceedings.
A sworn translation is not simply a well-executed translation: it is an act carrying professional liability, signed and stamped, which public bodies accept as equivalent to the original document. To be valid, the translator must be registered with the Association of Sworn Translators.
The correct order, and why it matters
- Apostille or legalise the document in the country of origin. A foreign-issued document cannot be apostilled in Uruguay.
- Translate in Uruguay, with the apostille already affixed, so the translation covers it.
- Submit to the relevant body.
If you translate first and apostille afterwards, the translation does not cover the stamp and you will probably pay for it twice. Full detail of the first step in the guide to apostille and legalisation.
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The rule changes by public body
This is the point no article gathers in one place, and where people get stuck. Each procedure has its own requirement.
Registering foreign certificates — Civil Registry
Three distinct situations:
- Document in another language: it can be translated by a Uruguayan sworn translator or by the Uruguayan Consulate in the country of origin.
- Document with non-Latin characters (Arabic, Cyrillic, Chinese, Hebrew…): the translation must be done by a Uruguayan sworn translator. There is no consular alternative here.
- Document already translated in the country of origin: it is not rejected, but you must add a certificate of concordance issued by a Uruguayan sworn translator.
That third case costs people the most: many translate at home believing they save, then pay for the certificate here anyway. More on this procedure in registration of foreign certificates.
Identity document — DNIC
For the identity card, documentation must be in Spanish or translated by a sworn translator registered with the National Directorate of Civil Identification itself. The list is requested at the office.
It is a stricter requirement than the general one: any registered sworn translator is not enough.
Legal residency — National Directorate of Migration
All documentation must be legalised or apostilled and translated, with one relevant exception: documents from Brazil do not require translation. Full detail in how to obtain legal residency.
Apostille — Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Here the relationship is reversed: if what you are apostilling is a sworn translation, that translation must first be legalised by the Supreme Court of Justice. The same applies to documents from notaries and the Judiciary.
Driving licence — intendencias
If your licence or the associated documentation is not in Spanish, a sworn translation must be attached. See homologating your driving licence.
Documents that usually need translation
- Birth, marriage and death certificates.
- Criminal record certificates from your country of origin and those where you lived.
- Degrees and academic certificates, for recognition.
- Court rulings: divorce, adoption, custody.
- Powers of attorney and notarial documents granted abroad.
- Corporate documentation of foreign companies.
- Driving licences and associated documentation.
The four costliest mistakes
1. Translating before apostilling
The translation does not cover the apostille stamp and has to be redone.
2. Translating at home without allowing for the certificate of concordance
For certificates, that translation needs a certificate of concordance from a Uruguayan sworn translator. The saving disappears.
3. Using an unregistered translator where the body requires one
The DNIC requires translators from its own list. A translation by a registered sworn translator who is not on that list may be rejected.
4. Assuming the rule is the same everywhere
It is not. Check the specific requirement of the body before commissioning the translation, not afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
Who can produce a sworn translation in Uruguay?
Only a sworn translator: a university-trained professional regulated by Law 20.305 and registered with the Association of Sworn Translators.
Do I translate first or apostille first?
Apostille or legalise first in the country of origin, then translate in Uruguay so the translation includes the stamp.
Is a translation done in my own country valid?
It depends on the procedure. For certificates it is accepted by adding a certificate of concordance from a Uruguayan sworn translator. Other bodies have their own requirements.
What if my document is in Arabic, Chinese or Russian?
Because it uses non-Latin characters, for registering certificates the translation must be done by a Uruguayan sworn translator.
Do documents from Brazil need translation?
For the legal residency procedure, no: it is the express exception Migration allows.
Can the Uruguayan consulate translate?
For registering certificates, yes, unless the document uses non-Latin characters. Other bodies may require a local sworn translator.
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