Sworn Spanish Translation of Malaysian Documents for Spain

Oct 14

Short answer: the safest choice is a sworn translation (traducción jurada) by a translator appointed by Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Such translations are "plenamente válidas en España por sí mismas", fully valid in Spain on their own, with no further legalisation, and since March 2025 they can be signed electronically. A translation made in Malaysia can be legalised by the Spanish Embassy after Wisma Putra, but the Ministry warns that some Spanish authorities may not accept it.

What we do: legalise your documents through Wisma Putra and the Spanish Embassy, prepare certified English translations of Malay documents, and tell you which Spanish translation your authority needs. Send your document on WhatsApp.

Last reviewed: October 2026. For legalisation, see legalising Malaysian documents for Spain.

Three ways to get a Spanish translation

A Spanish sworn translator (traductor/a-intérprete jurado/a) on the Ministry's official list. Their translations are official before courts and government offices. The translator attaches a copy of the original, stamped and dated on every page. Since 8 March 2025 (Orden AUC/213/2025), a sworn translation can be signed electronically, with one signature covering the source document and the translation.
A Spanish embassy or consulate abroad. These translations need a later legalisation by the Legalisation Service of the Ministry in Spain. The embassy in Kuala Lumpur does not list translation among its consular services.
A translation made in Malaysia, legalised by Wisma Putra and then the Spanish Embassy. The Ministry says these may not be accepted by some Spanish authorities, so check first.

What each Spanish authority accepts

Immigration (extranjería, residence, NIE): a translation by a sworn translator authorised by the Ministry, by a Spanish embassy or consulate abroad (then legalised by the Ministry), or by the issuing country's embassy or consulate in Spain.
Degree recognition (homologación): a sworn translator authorised in Spain, any Spanish embassy or consulate abroad, or an official translator abroad whose signature has been legalised.
Visas at the Spanish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur: documents "together with an official translation into Spanish".
Nationality applications: documents must be translated and legalised; a criminal-record certificate with no stated validity is treated as valid for six months.

Translate before or after legalisation?

Legalise the original first, then translate the whole document, including the Wisma Putra and embassy stamps. A sworn translator in Spain can then translate everything in one go.

Common questions

Is a translation done in Malaysia accepted in Spain?

Sometimes. Degree recognition accepts an official translator abroad whose signature is legalised, but other authorities may refuse it. A Spanish sworn translation is accepted everywhere.

Can a sworn translator in Spain work from a scan?

The translator must attach a copy of the original, stamped and dated on every page, and may sign electronically. Ask the translator whether a scan of your legalised original is enough for your authority.

How much does a sworn translation cost?

Sworn translators set their own fees under Spanish law, so ask for a quote per document.

Related guides

Sources:

Zhihan Chew