Sworn translation has gained significant importance due to factors like international trade, the formation of political-economic alliances, migration, and tourism.

In essence, sworn translation entails providing an officially accepted translation of legal documents or any paperwork required in legal contexts, such as birth certificates, academic transcripts, or declarations. These translations are essential for administrative or governmental purposes.

Regulations surrounding sworn translations vary from country to country, making them subject to change based on location. Hence, this type of translation is also known as certified, public, or official translation, depending on the procedures followed for translation in the destination country.

To streamline and expedite the process, the Apostille Convention was established within The Hague Convention of 5 October 1961. This convention introduces a standardized stamp or printed form featuring ten numbered fields. Its purpose is to ensure that documents originating from the administrative or judicial bodies of the 51 signatory countries are recognized as valid within those jurisdictions.

Consequently, every sworn translation requires this assurance to be legally recognized. The apostille serves as a guarantee that the individual submitting the translation (often the translator in countries like Spain) acts as a verifier of the document's accuracy, completeness, and official status.

Certifying a translation can be a cumbersome process, particularly if the document originates from a non-signatory State. In such cases, certification may be required twice: once in the country of origin and again in the destination country.

The apostille simplifies the legalization of documents by eliminating the need for third-party involvement, thus expediting and simplifying the overall process.