Sworn translation of wills and inheritance documents
A sworn translation of wills and inheritance documents is the official translation of wills, certificates of last wills, declarations of heirs and deeds of estate distribution, signed and stamped by a sworn translator appointed by the MAEC. It is essential whenever an inheritance crosses borders: a foreign deceased with assets in Spain, or heirs abroad who must prove their rights. We translate into 39 languages, with legal rigour and confidentiality and a fixed quote before we start.
Free, no-obligation quote · Last updated: August 2026
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The four documents of an international inheritance
An inheritance with a foreign element moves in a chain: each document unlocks the next, and each one must be understood in the country where it is filed. This is the usual sequence — we translate any of its links:
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Death certificate
It opens the file. If the death occurred in another country, the Civil Registry and the notary will require it translated and, outside the EU, apostilled.
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Certificate of last wills
It certifies whether the deceased made a will and before which notary. In Spain it is issued by the General Registry of Last Wills of the Ministry of Justice; its foreign equivalent is filed in translation.
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Will or declaration of heirs
The succession title: open will, holographic will admitted to record, or notarial declaration of heirs. It is translated in full, with the precision notarial language demands.
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Deed of estate distribution
The division: inventory, valuation and allocations. Foreign registries and banks require it to register assets and release accounts in the heirs’ names.
Who will demand the sworn translation of the inheritance
Four counters, one same requirement: to understand — and be able to file — every document of the estate:
The certificate of last wills comes first. Before moving an inheritance, check whether there is a will: in Spain, the certificate is requested from the General Registry of Last Wills through the e-office of the Ministry of Justice, 15 working days after the death. With it you will know which will governs — and which documents will need translating. If the deceased was a foreign national, Regulation (EU) 650/2012 determines the applicable law and allows the European Certificate of Succession: tell us your case and we will tell you which pieces you need translated.
How we translate your inheritance documents
No travel and no originals handed over: we work on the digitised copies, with deadlines coordinated with your notary.
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Send your documents
As a PDF or high-quality photo via the quotation form, by email or on WhatsApp, stating the language and, if there is one, the signing date at the notary’s.
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Receive your fixed quote
A fixed price per document and a deadline in writing. Inheritances usually group several documents: we quote them as a single order, with a better total price.
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Your translation, in la fecha acordada
You receive it as a digitally signed PDF — valid on any electronic filing platform — and, if you need it on paper, by courier or collected in Adeje, Seville or Málaga.
Why a sworn translation and not a standard one? Because notaries, registries and banks only accept translations bearing the signature, stamp and accreditation number of a sworn translator appointed by the MAEC. An ordinary translation, however accurate, has no official validity: the file is returned and the procedure starts over. Translations into English are signed by our in-house translator, appointed by the MAEC.
Frequently asked questions about translating wills and inheritances
How much does it cost to translate a will or an inheritance deed?
It depends on the actual length: an open will takes few pages, while a distribution deed with an inventory runs long. The language and the complexity of the document also count, and you will always receive a fixed quote per document before deciding, with no obligation. Several documents from the same estate are grouped into one order.
Which documents of an international inheritance have to be translated?
The ones the notary or registry cannot read: usually the death certificate, the certificate of last wills, the will or declaration of heirs and, at the end, the deed of distribution. If banks are involved, also the certificates of balances. Send us your notary’s requirement list and we will quote it complete.
What is the European Certificate of Succession and does it need translating?
It is the document under Regulation (EU) 650/2012 that proves the status of heir throughout the EU. It circulates between Member States without legalisation, but authorities may demand its translation into the language of the country where it is used — and outside the EU it has no effect, so you fall back on the translated, apostilled will.
Do I need an apostille on a foreign will?
Almost always, if it comes from outside the EU: the Spanish notary will require the will or the declaration of heirs apostilled to incorporate them into the deed. The correct order is to apostille first and translate afterwards, so the apostille is translated too. We handle both in a single order.
How do you guarantee the confidentiality of an inheritance?
A probate file contains assets, accounts and family relationships. Your documents are never passed to third parties and only the order manager and the assigned sworn translator access them — the latter bound by the duty of confidentiality of their official appointment.
Will you make it in time for the signing at the notary’s?
Yes, if you tell us the date when requesting the quote: the deadline is confirmed in writing and we organise the order so the translation is ready before the signing. For distributions with an imminent date we offer an urgent service.