Compare: translation, apostille and translator

Compare sworn versus standard translation, apostille versus legalisation, and a translation agency versus a freelance translator.

• Sworn vs standard translation: what is the difference?A sworn translation is produced by an Rbtv-registered translator and carries a signed statement and official stamp, so it has legal standing. A standard translation conveys meaning but has no legal status. Dutch authorities accept only the sworn version for official documents.
• Apostille vs legalisation: which do you need?An apostille is a single certificate that confirms a document's authenticity for use in countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention. Legalisation is the longer, multi-step process for countries outside it. Which one you need depends on the destination country.
• Translation agency vs freelance translatorBoth an agency and a freelance translator can deliver a valid sworn translation, provided the translator is listed in the Dutch Register of Sworn Interpreters and Translators (Rbtv). An agency adds matching, checking and a single point of contact across many language pairs.