Sworn translation in Prague 2026: where to get it, how to check the translator and what affects the price

Updated: 15 November 2026

Short answer: an official (sworn) translation for the Ministry of the Interior, a registry office, a court or nostrification in Czechia can only be made by a sworn translator (soudní překladatel) listed in the register of the Czech Ministry of Justice. The translation is bound to the document and carries the translator’s certification clause and round seal — no notary is needed. On 1 January 2026, 1,650 translators lost their authorisation, so always check the translator in the register. In Prague you can order a sworn translation at Akimov TRUST: we work with registered translators and fix the price and deadline before we start.

When you need a sworn translation

Under the Administrative Procedure Code, documents in a foreign language must be submitted in the original together with an official translation into Czech, unless the authority says a translation is not needed. The most common documents are:

• birth and marriage certificates — for residence permits, family reunification, the registry office;
• criminal record extracts — for residence permits, a trade licence (živnost), citizenship;
• diplomas and transcripts — for nostrification;
• driving licences — for an exchange;
• powers of attorney, court decisions, contracts.

Banks, employers and schools sometimes accept a regular translation — ask in advance.

Who may translate and how to check

Only a natural person entered in the Ministry of Justice register of sworn translators may make a sworn translation (Act 354/2019 Coll.). Before ordering, check the translator at seznat.justice.cz by name or language: they must be listed as active.

Why this matters now: on 1 January 2026 the transition period of the new act ended. 1,650 translators and 1,610 interpreters who did not complete the new procedure lost their authorisation. A translation by someone without valid authorisation will not be accepted for official purposes.

What a correct translation looks like

• the translation is firmly bound to the original or its certified copy;
• at the end — the translator’s certification clause under current law;
• the sworn translator’s round seal and signature;
• any apostille or legalisation stamp is translated too.

Never unbind the document — the translation becomes invalid. More on the “apostille → translation” order in Apostille and sworn translation.

What affects price and time

• Language. Ukrainian, Russian and English are the most common and fastest. After the register clean-up, rare languages take longer.
• Volume. Usually priced per standard page (1,800 characters including spaces); standard documents such as certificates are often priced per document.
• Urgency. Express, evening and weekend work costs more.
• Number of copies. Each official copy is bound separately.

At Akimov TRUST we quote the price and deadline upfront: send a photo of the document and we reply within one working day.

Sworn interpreter

Sometimes you need a sworn interpreter (soudní tlumočník) rather than a written translation — for example at a wedding if the bride, groom or witnesses do not speak Czech, and in court or at a notary. More in Marriage registration in the Czech Republic.

Common mistakes

• Translating a document before the apostille — it will have to be translated again.
• Ordering from someone who is not in the register or has lost authorisation.
• Bringing a translation certified by a notary in another country — the Czech authority may reject it.
• Translating a criminal record extract too early — it is valid only for a limited time.

FAQ

Where can I get a sworn translation in Prague?

From any sworn translator in the Czech Ministry of Justice register. For example at Akimov TRUST (Praha 3, Hartigova 2596/211): we work with registered translators, translate from Ukrainian, Russian, English and other languages, and quote the price upfront.

Does a sworn translation need a notary?

No. In Czechia a sworn translation is official on its own: the clause, signature and seal of a registered translator.

How do I check that a translator is authorised?

Find them at seznat.justice.cz by name or language — they must be listed as active.

Which comes first: the apostille or the translation?

The apostille or legalisation on the original first, then the sworn translation of the document together with the apostille.

Sources

• MZV ČR — Provádění překladů soudními překladateli
• Ministerstvo spravedlnosti — veřejný seznam soudních tlumočníků a překladatelů
• EPRAVO.CZ — Ze seznamu zmizely tisíce soudních překladatelů (2026)
• EPRAVO.CZ — Úředně ověřené překlady, apostila, superlegalizace
• Zákon č. 354/2019 Sb., o soudních tlumočnících a soudních překladatelích
• Zákon č. 500/2004 Sb., správní řád

This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. Check the current rules before making a decision, or contact us.