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Switzerland

Translations for Swiss authorities: certification, notary, apostille

At federal level Switzerland has no “sworn translators”; Geneva regulates them in a cantonal law. As a rule a notary certifies the translator’s signature, and the State Chancellery then super-legalises that signature. What this means in practice is set out below with a reference to the official source.

Key facts

  • The State Chancellery certifies only signatures, not translations; a notary first certifies the translator’s signature. [5]
  • Qualifications issued in English need no translation. [1]
  • SERI fees: level confirmation CHF 350, recognition CHF 550. [1]

Who certifies a translation?

  • The State Chancellery certifies the authenticity of signatures: «Wir beglaubigen keine Textinhalte oder Übersetzungen.» (We do not certify text content or translations.) Translators’ signatures must first be certified by a notary. [5]
  • The same applies to super-legalisation: «Weder die amtlichen Beglaubigungsstellen … noch wir beglaubigen Inhalte von Übersetzungen.» (Neither the official certification offices … nor we certify the content of translations.) What is confirmed is «dass die amtliche Unterschrift, die Funktion und das amtliche Siegel echt sind» (that the official signature, function and official seal are genuine). [4]
  • If the translator’s signature must be certified, the translator has their own signature certified by a notary or the municipality — not by the State Chancellery. [4]
  • A super-legalisation costs CHF 30 in the canton of Zurich. [4]

Which language, and who may translate?

  • «Die Übersetzung in eine der Landessprachen der Schweiz (Deutsch, Französisch oder Italienisch) muss von qualifizierten Übersetzern vorgenommen werden.» (Translation into one of the national languages — German, French or Italian — must be done by qualified translators.) [1]
  • «Die ursprünglich auf Englisch verfassten Abschlüsse müssen nicht übersetzt werden.» (Qualifications originally issued in English do not need to be translated.) [1]
  • The State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SBFI/SERI) refers to the Swiss Association of Translators, Terminologists and Interpreters (ASTTI); the translation can also be made in the country of origin by a recognised professional. [1]
  • ASTTI is the only national professional association and represents about 400 translators, terminologists and interpreters in Switzerland; it offers a public member search. [6]

Certified copies — what to watch out for

  • A certified copy is a «Fotokopie des Originaldokuments, die von einer Behörde angefertigt wird» (photocopy of the original made by an authority); the authority adds a seal/stamp and signature and confirms that the copy «in allen Punkten mit dem Original übereinstimmt» (matches the original in every respect). [1]
  • Available from a municipal or city administration in Switzerland (except in the cantons of Vaud, Geneva and Ticino), an embassy or consulate, or a lawyer or notary. [1]
  • Important: «Achten Sie darauf, dass Sie eine beglaubigte Kopie des Abschlusses in der Originalsprache und nicht der Übersetzung anfertigen lassen.» (Make sure you have a certified copy made of the qualification in the original language, not of the translation.) [1]

Recognition: competent body and fees

  • «In der Schweiz gibt es keine zentrale Behörde, die Anerkennungsgesuche prüft. Je nach Beruf sind unterschiedliche Organisationen zuständig.» (There is no central authority examining recognition applications in Switzerland; different organisations are responsible depending on the profession.) [3]
  • For regulated professions — such as doctor, physiotherapist or lawyer — official recognition is required; in non-regulated fields you can look for a job «ohne Gleichwertigkeitsnachweis» (without proof of equivalence). [3]
  • You find the competent body on the SERI portal anerkennung.swiss, which lets you search by profession «ob eine Anerkennung Ihrer Berufsqualifikationen benötigt wird und welche Stelle dafür zuständig ist» (whether recognition of your professional qualifications is needed and which body is responsible). [2]
  • Fees according to SERI: level confirmation CHF 350, recognition CHF 550. [1]

Based on the official sources listed below (as of July 2026). Certification is regulated by the cantons — responsibility and fees may differ from canton to canton; the body receiving your document decides.

Request to sworn translators

Tell us briefly what you need. We pass the request to sworn translators registered with us — whoever takes it contacts you directly with their offer.

Send a request to translators

Do you translate professionally?

Lingverra produces a precise translation in the original layout and makes your work up to 95 % easier — you check the marked spots, certify and are responsible for the translation.

See Lingverra for translators

Sources

All information above comes from official Swiss sources:

  1. SBFI — FAQ Anerkennungsverfahren: beglaubigte Kopien, Übersetzungen, Gebühren
  2. anerkennung.swiss — Portal des SBFI: zuständige Stelle finden
  3. berufsberatung.ch — Anerkennung ausländischer Diplome (keine zentrale Behörde)
  4. Kanton Zürich — Überbeglaubigungen & Apostillen
  5. Staatskanzlei Kanton Bern — welche Dokumente beglaubigt werden
  6. ASTTI — Schweizerischer Übersetzer-, Terminologen- und Dolmetscherverband
  7. Loi sur les traducteurs-jurés (LTJ, I 2 46) — Kanton Genf
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