Official Translations for Colombian Authorities
In Colombia, a traductor e intérprete oficial (a translator certified by examination) completes the official translation, signs, and stamps it. Official translators may qualify through the university examination system established under Article 33 of Law 962 of 2005. The National University of Colombia (Universidad Nacional de Colombia) and the University of Antioquia (Universidad de Antioquia) administer this exam. Each issues a Certificate of Competency (certificado de idoneidad) to successful candidates for a specific language pair.
Translators holding licences issued under the previous system before 2005 also remain recognised.
Official translator qualifications are language-specific. A translator certified for English and Spanish is not automatically qualified to translate from Portuguese into Spanish. We ensure the translator assigned to your project is qualified for the required language combination. Every official translation bears the translator's seal and signature, along with the resolution or certificate number that verifies it.
Who Accredits Official Translators in Colombia?
In Colombia, official translators (traductores oficiales) are accredited and certified by one of two main institutions:
The National University of Colombia (Universidad Nacional de Colombia)
The University of Antioquia (Universidad de Antioquia)
Translators who received a licence from the Ministry of Justice before 2005 also remain recognised.
Where Will you use Your Translated Document?
Your situation | What you may need |
Foreign documents that need to be submitted for use in Colombia | Apostille/legalisation of the original where required, and an official Spanish translation. |
Colombian documents you need to submit for use abroad. | Official translation, notarisation and an apostille/consular legalisation where required by the destination |
Documents for a Colombian visa | Official Spanish translation where required and an apostille/consular legalisation of the foreign document(subject to applicable exceptions) |
Documents for university/convalidation | Official translation where required, an apostille/consular legalisation and other institution-specific requirements |
Documents for court/legal proceedings | Official translation and any additional formalities required by the court |
Documents we Translate for Colombian Procedures
We translate documents from English and other official languages into Spanish with approved Colombian translators. Commonly requested document translations for Colombia are:
Visa and migration: Birth certificates, marriage certificates, and police certificates.
Residency and citizenship: Civil registry documents, single status certificates, and income evidence.
Property and business: Powers of attorney, company formation documents, contracts, and tax certificates.
Academic: Degrees, transcripts, and convalidation files for the Ministry of Education
Legal: Court rulings, divorce decrees, and notarial deeds.
Financial: Pension award letters, pension statements, employment contracts, salary certificates, and bank statements.
Medical: Vaccination records, medical reports and clinical histories.
Do I Need an Apostille for my Translation in Colombia?
You need an apostille on a foreign document for use in Colombia if it was issued by a country that is a party to the Hague Apostille Convention. If the issuing country isn’t a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, you will need consular legalisation. The apostille or consular legalisation steps happen before the translation.
If You're Using a Colombian Translation Abroad
The Colombian document may need an apostille if you need to use it in a country that is also a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention. Apply the apostille to the original document in Colombia before translating, according to the destination country's requirements.
How it Works
Upload a clear scan, photo or PDF of your document. Max file upload size: 100 MB
Select Spanish and the other language you will be translating from or into.
Select standard or expedited delivery and add notarial authentication or apostille services if required.
Confirm your order and pay securely.
Receive your completed official translation, prepared by a qualified official translator and delivered within your selected timeframe. You can request a PDF translation via email or a paper copy via courier service. Additional delivery time and fees may apply for paper copy delivery.
What You Receive
Depending on the service selected, your order can include:
Official Spanish translation of your document
Translator's name and official qualification details
Translator's signature and seal
Translation date
Required declaration/certification
Digital PDF copy
Notarial signature recognition, if requested
An apostille, if requested
You can verify Colombian official translators through the relevant university records. We include the translator's qualification details with your completed translation so you can verify their status when required.
Turnaround and Pricing
Translayte’s official translation services in Colombia are priced at $31.75 (100686.55 COP) per page, with a 12-24-hour turnaround time. Factors like language pair, document volume, complexity, urgency and additional certifications determine the final cost. You can request a free quote to see the project cost before proceeding with your order.
